A psychiatry evaluation for medication is a thorough assessment where a psychiatrist reviews your symptoms, medical history, current medications, and any previous mental health treatments to determine if psychiatric medication could be helpful for you. The evaluation involves discussing how you’ve been feeling, your goals for treatment, and any concerns you may have. The provider may also ask about your family history and overall health to ensure any prescribed medication is safe and likely to be effective. The main purpose is to create a personalized plan—including whether medication is appropriate—that aligns with your needs and aims to improve your mental well-being.

Medication management appointments in psychiatry are regular check-ins with your psychiatrist or psychiatric provider to monitor how your prescribed medications are working for your mental health. During these appointments, your provider will:

• Review your symptoms and overall well-being
• Assess whether your current medications are effective
• Check for any side effects or new concerns
• Discuss any changes in your life or health that might affect your treatment
• Adjust medication types or doses as needed for optimal results

These appointments are an ongoing partnership with your provider to ensure your treatment plan remains safe, effective, and tailored to your needs. Open communication and regular follow-ups help you get the best possible care for your mental health.

Lab work in psychiatry refers to blood tests and other diagnostic procedures that help your psychiatrist monitor your overall health and how your body responds to psychiatric medications. These tests can check things like liver and kidney function, blood sugar, cholesterol, thyroid hormone levels, and sometimes the actual amount of medication in your blood. You may have lab work done before starting a new medication, at regular intervals during treatment, or if your provider suspects a medication is causing a problem.

A simple genetic test that helps your provider understand how your body might respond to certain psychiatric medications. By analyzing your DNA (from a cheek swab), the test looks for genetic variations that affect how you metabolize or react to medications for conditions like depression, anxiety, or ADHD. The results can guide your provider in choosing medications that are more likely to work for you, potentially reducing side effects and avoiding a long process of trial and error.

GeneSight Testing is especially helpful if you’ve had trouble finding effective medication or experienced unpleasant side effects in the past. Your provider will explain the results and use them to make more personalized treatment decisions with you.

Spravato or esketamine is an FDA-approved nasal spray used to treat adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant depression who haven’t responded well to other antidepressants. Unlike traditional antidepressants that mainly affect serotonin or norepinephrine, Spravato works by targeting the brain’s glutamate system, helping to restore neural connections and improve mood more rapidly—often within hours or days.

Spravato is administered under the supervision of a healthcare provider in a clinical setting to ensure safety and monitor for side effects such as dissociation or changes in blood pressure. It is typically used alongside an oral antidepressant and is especially helpful for those who need fast relief from severe or persistent depressive symptoms.