PHARMACOTHERAPY

Most, but not all, of the patients in Dr. Haxton's practice are on psychotropic medication. Dr. Haxton has been treating psychiatric illness with medications for over 25 years. She is a highly skilled diagnostician and has expertise in managing difficult to treat, treatment resistant and complex psychiatric illness. She is experienced in all pharmacotherapy approaches; ranging from management of the most commonly occurring major mental illnesses to illness complicated by factors of age and medical illness.

Dr. Haxton combines "cutting-edge" treatment with time-tested "tried and true" wisdom gleaned from her many years of work in this field.

Dr. Haxton always seeks to treat patients with the simplest pharmacologic regimens involving the fewest drugs possible. She analyses your complete medication and supplement regimen and assesses carefully for drug-drug interactions. Avoidance of addictive and dangerous medications is always a priority.

PHARMACO-THERAPY SCOPE

Patients come to the practice from many places and for many reasons. Often an individual has been getting medication from their primary care giver and the treatment has stalled. Physicians in other fields may be reluctant to prescribe outside of their specialty or will do so only to a limited extent. Sometimes you or your primary care doctor just want an expert opinion or another set of eyes. They may resume prescribing for you after an evaluation or after you are stable on a new regimen. Sometimes your Social Worker therapist or Psychologist will suggest that you might benefit from medication. At times, teenagers or young adults are referred by their pediatrician or school counselor. Sometimes a change in medical status such as a new diagnosis, a surgical event, a pregnancy or a postpartum illness lead to the need for medication. Life cycle changes such as menopause lead to changes in hormonal status, bringing on new psychiatric symptoms or recurrence of past symptoms. Frequently individuals are self-referred and come on their own. These patients may wonder if medication can help them, may have a history of psychiatric illness and have taken medication in the past, or may be taking medication but dissatisfied with their state of recovery.

PHARMACO-THERAPY SESSIONS

INITIAL EVALUATION
The initial consultation consists of two 50-minute sessions back to back. This large block of time allows us to thoroughly explore your reason for seeking treatment, your past medical and psychiatric history, family history, and social history. All current and prior medications will be evaluated. In order to meet your treatment goals, both an immediate and long-term treatment plan will be established.

Teens and sometimes young adults will generally not be present for the Initial Consultation. Dr. Haxton will meet alone with one or both parents.

REGULAR SESSIONS

Dr. Haxton sees all patients for full 50-minute sessions and does not do "medication management" only. It is not in the best interest of the patient to have a brief medication check-in. Dr. Haxton believes that it is not possible to fully understand the patients progress- or lack of it -- without hearing the details of how life is going for them.

Most of Dr. Haxton's patients are not in treatment with other providers. If a patient chooses to see another therapist this relationship is supported, but does not take the place of regular follow-up with Dr. Haxton.

Patients are seen for 50-minute sessions on a schedule ranging from twice weekly, to every 3-4 months. Initially patients are seen more often as they stabilize on their medication. Patients on controlled substances are seen at least monthly. Teenagers and young adults are followed closely and seen no less than once a month. A lot can change in the life of a teenager in a few weeks!