What to Expect at Your Appointments
We offer psychiatric medication management, brief psycho-therapy and substance abuse treatment for opioid addiction via tele-health in our Roswell, New Mexico office. Your visits with Dr. Williams will be hosted in a secure and private room where you discuss your mental health concerns and/or substance abuse issues over a HIPAA compliant tele-health platform (Zoom).
As a new patient, your initial appointment is approximately one hour. Please bring all medications you are currently taking including over- the-counter medications, herbal supplements and vitamins. Also, bring a list of all previous psychiatric medications, a list of what worked and didn’t, a list of previous psychiatric hospitalizations and outpatient therapy trials. During your initial appointment we will discuss a variety of topics including your past medical and psychiatric history, your childhood, work history and other pertinent information. This is your opportunity to tell your story and be heard in a judgment- free zone.
At the end of your appointment you will receive a formal diagnosis, have lab-work ordered and possibly an E.K.G. prior to the prescribing of any medications. This is to promote safe prescribing practices and to ensure there are no pre-existing medical conditions that may be contraindicated with psychiatric medications that are being considered for your treatment. ***Patients receiving buprenorphine (Suboxone) therapy can receive a prescription on the initial visit to prevent relapse.
Your first follow-up will be scheduled within one to two weeks and is approximately 40 minutes. We will review lab and EKG results, discuss the holistic components of mental health and make medication selections based on your present symptoms, personal needs, goals, and concerns.
Subsequent follow-up appointments will be approximately 20 minutes and may also include brief supportive psycho-therapy, coupled with medication management based on your individual needs. We will discuss the effectiveness of your current medications, any medication side effects, residual symptoms that need to be addressed, coping skills and medical and psycho-social changes that may have occurred since your last visit, which can impact your recovery. Future follow-up visits are scheduled at one to two month intervals depending on the needs of the individual. ***Individuals receiving treatment for opioid addiction may require more frequent follow-ups.
When new medications are prescribed it is important that you are monitored consistently throughout the course of treatment. Your follow-up will be scheduled in two to four weeks to ensure the medication is working with no severe adverse side-effects. With few exceptions, only one new medication is prescribed at a time. This allows for evaluation of efficacy and tolerability of each medication independently. Some medications require periodic blood work to ensure the dose is safe and effective, you will be notified of this at the time the medication is prescribed.