Medication Management & Prescribing Psychologist

One provider for both psychotherapy and psychiatric care

What is Medication Management with a Prescribing Psychologist?

At The Center for Effective Treatment, we offer something rare: the ability to receive both psychotherapy and psychiatric services from the same provider. As a prescribing psychologist under the supervision of psychiatrist Brandon Sklar, MD, Dr Abbott brings together the best of two treatment paths—psychotherapy and medication support—into one integrated approach.
This means you won’t have to juggle multiple appointments across different practices or worry about gaps in communication between providers. Instead, your care is guided by someone who understands both your mental health history and your therapy progress, allowing for more precise, thoughtful decisions about medication.

How Does It Work?

We provide the same psychiatric services you’d expect from a psychiatrist, including prescribing medication, monitoring your progress, and making adjustments as needed. But because we are also trained psychotherapists, we can weave these services into your broader treatment plan.

Our sessions may include:

Prescribing and Medication Management

Selecting and adjusting medications to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

De-Prescribing

Helping patients safely reduce or discontinue medications they no longer wish to take or that may no longer be needed.

Treatment Plan Review

Evaluating your psychiatric and psychotherapeutic care together, identifying what’s working, and making recommendations for the next steps.

This kind of integrated care isn’t just convenient—it’s supported by research. Studies show that combining psychotherapy with appropriate medication management can significantly improve patient outcomes.

Why Choose a Prescribing Psychologist?

The combination of psychotherapy and prescribing privileges, a skill held by our prescribing psychologists, allows for a more complete picture of your mental health. We’re able to notice subtle changes in mood, energy, and functioning that might otherwise be missed in shorter, medication-only appointments.

By keeping both the therapeutic and medical perspectives in mind, we can fine-tune your care to support both emotional and physical well-being.

Our Philosophy

We believe medication can be a powerful tool—but it’s just one part of the picture, and can be overused. Whether we’re starting, adjusting, or reducing a prescription, our goal is always the same: to help you feel more like yourself and live a life that feels stable, meaningful, and balanced.

Our role is to partner with you, explaining options clearly, listening to your concerns, and making sure every step we take aligns with your goals.

What to Expect in Your First Appointment

Starting a new treatment process can feel uncertain, but our goal is to make your first appointment straightforward, informative, and collaborative. Here’s how the process works:

Before Your Appointment

We’ll ask you to complete a brief intake form and provide your current medication list, medical history, and any relevant past treatment records. This information helps us get a clear picture of your needs from the start. If you’ve been working with another provider, we can coordinate to receive your records so we have the full context of your care. We encourage you to jot down any questions or concerns ahead of time so we can address them during your session.

During Your Appointment

Your first session will last about 60 minutes. We’ll start with a detailed conversation about your mental health history, current symptoms, and treatment goals. Together, we’ll review your therapy progress, life stressors, and any patterns you’ve noticed. If medication is being considered, we’ll discuss options, potential benefits, and possible side effects in clear, straightforward terms. If you’re already taking medication, we’ll assess how it’s working for you and whether adjustments—or a gradual reduction—might be appropriate. You’ll leave with a preliminary plan that integrates both psychotherapy and psychiatric care in a way that makes sense for you.

After Your Appointment

You’ll receive a summary of our discussion, including the agreed-upon treatment plan and any next steps. If we’ve started or adjusted medication, we’ll schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your response and make changes as needed. If you’re continuing in therapy, we’ll coordinate your sessions so medication management and psychotherapy work together seamlessly. Our team remains available between appointments for urgent concerns or questions about your plan.

Ready to Get Started With a Prescribing Psychologist at The Center for Effective Treatment?

If you’re interested in learning more about our medication management services, we’d be happy to talk through your options. Whether you’re curious about starting medication, want to review your current prescriptions, or are considering de-prescribing, we can help you decide the next step that’s right for you.