Psychiatry

That depends. The length of treatment varies greatly based on what issue(s) you are seeking help for. It also depends on whether you are following your psychiatrist’s treatment recommendations. For example, if you are diagnosed with bipolar disorder and work collaboratively with your psychiatrist to find the best psych  meds to manage your symptoms, and also participate in any psychotherapy treatment that would be beneficial for you, then you will feel better much sooner than if you do not follow the treatment we suggest. And some mental health disorders like bipolar disorders or schizophrenia may require you to have ongoing maintenance treatment in order to prevent your symptoms from coming back. But other mental health concerns, such as depression and anxiety can usually be treated fully and you will not have to be on medication forever. Our clinical team will help you figure that out, and will always take your personal wellness goals and perspective into consideration when making treatment recommendations.

Each mental illness or mental health concern and individual is different. For example, the best treatment for anxiety is usually psychotherapy. While some anxiety medications may be useful in the beginning of your treatment, long-term research has shown that therapies such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT Therapy) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT Therapy) for example, are much more effective in significantly reducing your anxiety.

Treatment for depression is similar to anxiety treatment. In most cases, medication can be useful for a period of a few months to a few years, but psychotherapy and other treatments that improve mental well-being and brain chemistry (such as exercise, changes in nutrition, and mindfulness or meditation practices) will give you better long-term results.

For more chronic mental illness or complex mental health issues, medication for several years or even throughout life may be required.

In the beginning phase of your treatment, we’ll be able to give you a good idea about how quickly you can expect to feel better, and whether psychotropic medication alone, psychotherapy alone, or a combination of medication and psychotherapy might work best for you.