I Feel Stuck in Therapy, What's Next? (Part 1)
Kelly Anderson, PhD
In the world of mental health, seeking therapy has become a pivotal step toward personal growth and emotional well-being. Therapy provides a safe space to explore one's thoughts and emotions, offering valuable insights and coping mechanisms. However, for some individuals, therapy alone may not always be sufficient in addressing certain conditions or challenges they face.
Late last year, we published a blog here titled, When Therapy Isn’t Enough. This blog was a conversation between myself, a psychologist, and Kris Ancho, PMHNP-BC, a psychiatric nurse practitioner. We spoke about our views on when medication may be helpful. Over the last several months as we’ve continued to provide medication management services at the practice, I’ve seen all the ways my clients have benefited from engaging in these services - even those who ultimately chose not to take medication! Learning more about the options available and what may work best for any one person can provide invaluable insight into making progress in mental wellness,
Often when someone has been in therapy for some time and cannot seem to get past a particular barrier, continues to experience a symptom at the same level, or faces a new stressor the consideration of medication as part of the treatment plan can be not only useful, but necessary.
When Therapy Alone is Not Enough -
Medication Management
While therapy is highly effective for many individuals, certain mental health conditions may require additional support. Conditions like depression, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, OCD, trauma, and schizophrenia, among others, may benefit from medication management in conjunction with therapy. Research has shown that using both therapy and medication together can yield better results than either treatment approach alone.
Understanding the Role of Medication in Mental Health Treatment
Medication management involves the prescription and monitoring of psychiatric medications to address specific mental health conditions. It is crucial to emphasize that medication is not a standalone solution but rather a valuable complement to therapy. Combining therapy with appropriate medication can create a synergy that enhances treatment outcomes. Many people are under the false impression that the only thing a prescriber does is prescribe. However, many people find getting a unique medical perspective on their mental health situation valuable, without prescriptions even being written. Further, many clinicians who prescribe medication also have a therapeutic background and may be able to provide feedback and insight there as well. Those who prescribe medication can meet with clients several times to learn more about them and their symptoms before deciding if, and what, medication is right for them.
Enhancing Therapy Engagement
It has happened more times than I can count that a client wants to succeed in therapy, but their symptoms hinder their ability to fully engage or be able to use skills effectively despite all the effort they put into therapy. Medication can alleviate the severity of symptoms, making it easier for clients to participate in therapy sessions more consistently and actively. By reducing distress, medication can open up new possibilities for exploration and growth within the therapeutic relationship.
Providing Short-Term Relief
In certain situations, immediate symptom relief is crucial to ensure the client's safety and well-being. Medication can offer rapid relief for acute symptoms, allowing clients to gain stability and enabling therapists to work more effectively with them in the long term. The combination of short-term relief through medication and ongoing support through therapy can be a winning strategy. I’ve often worked with clients who take medication short-term then taper off as therapy begins to take effect.
Building Resilience and Coping Skills
While medication can be a valuable aid, it is essential to acknowledge that it is not a cure-all solution. The true potential of medication management lies in creating a stable foundation that allows individuals to develop and refine coping skills during therapy. By reducing the intensity of symptoms, medication can provide clients with the space and energy to focus on building resilience and healthy coping mechanisms.
Medication management, when integrated thoughtfully with therapy, can offer a transformative path toward achieving therapeutic goals. By addressing biological factors, providing short-term relief, and enhancing overall engagement, medication can complement the therapeutic process and empower individuals to work through their challenges more effectively. It is crucial to remember that each individual's journey is unique, and the decision to pursue medication management should be a collaborative one, involving open communication between the client, therapist, and prescribing clinician. This is where seeking treatment in a group practice with an interdisciplinary team can really benefit clients. If you’re not sure what would be best- medication, therapy, or both - you can always reach out and set up a consultation with providers who can provide insight and feedback. Many providers even offer a brief, free consultation for this reason alone. Take the time to reach out if you’re not sure what would best suit you.
