Psychiatric Medication Management
For some people, medication is an important part of feeling better. Our prescribers approach it the way we approach everything at LodeStone: as one part of the whole picture, with time and genuine care.
Thoughtful, unhurried prescribing
Because we’re a psychotherapy-dominant practice, our prescribing looks different from medication-only or high-volume community settings. Our prescribers, including doctoral-level providers, take more time to understand each patient, to explain options clearly, and to adjust carefully. Medication is never a substitute for understanding the patient in front of us.
Coordinated with your care
Medication tends to work best alongside therapy. Because our prescribers, therapists, and testing clinicians all share one practice, your care stays connected rather than scattered across providers who never speak to one another.
That coordination doesn’t stop at our own walls. Many patients are referred to us by an outside therapist or physician for the medication piece alone, and with your consent we work in step with them, so prescribing here supports the care you already have. Learn more about how we collaborate with outside providers.
Conditions we commonly support
Medication is often part of care for concerns like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, and panic disorder. Your prescriber tailors any recommendation to your full picture, in coordination with your therapist.
For adults
Our psychiatric medication management services are available to adults. If therapy or testing is a better starting point, or the right complement, our intake team will help you find the combination that fits.
Your prescribers
Meet our prescribing providers
Sarah Christensen, MSN, FNP-BC, PMHNP
Licensed Nurse Practitioner
A board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with experience across inpatient, acute, and outpatient care in cardiology, pediatrics, immediate care, and primary care.
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Jeremy Bidwell, Ph.D. M.S. Clinical Psychopharmacology
Licensed Prescribing Psychologist
A Licensed Prescribing Psychologist and Clinical Psychologist with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and an M.S. in Clinical Psychopharmacology, and prescribing fellowships at Loyola and Alexian Brothers.
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Lauren Hultine, DNP, FNP-BC
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
A Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a BSN and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
View full bio →Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have a therapist to get a medication consult? +
No, but that is certainly fairly common. Sometimes the decision to start medication comes from a conversation with a therapist or counselor. For others, this medication visit is the first step. We can help you determine if meeting with a therapist might help the medication be more effective and suggest an option if it's helpful to do so.
What is the difference between a Prescribing Psychologist, a Nurse Practitioner and a Psychiatrist? +
A Prescribing Psychologist holds a doctoral degree and a license as a Clinical Psychologist (someone that does psychotherapy and diagnostic testing). They then go back for an additional Master's in Psychopharmacology, 14 months of intensive medical training rotations and a national board exam to be allowed to prescribe medications. A Nurse Practitioner is an advanced nursing credential requiring a Master's or Doctorate, typically with specific clinical rotations and a national board exam. A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor that completed 4 years of medical school, plus a residency and national board certification to practice as a Psychiatrist. A Prescribing Psychologist or NP maintain a relationship with a Psychiatrist to consult on treatment issues.
Are there differences between psychiatric services and the medication services provided by a Prescribing Psychologist or Nurse Practitioner? +
Those terms are often used interchangeably. There are some limitations with who a Prescribing Psychologist can treat and who an NP or a Psychiatrist can. A Prescribing Psychologist cannot treat anyone over 65 or under 18, anyone with certain serious medical conditions, and they cannot prescribe some medications. An NP must practice within the scope of their training, but can generally work with all ages and can prescribe a slightly broader range of medications. A Psychiatrist can treat any age with any medication (assuming they have training in pediatrics). We will often refer patients to a Psychiatrist if there is an issue we feel could be better addressed with a medical doctor.
Can you help me determine if I should get psychiatric services from a Psychiatrist instead of another provider type? +
Yes, absolutely. We'll try to determine that during your intake process, but can confirm that in your first visit and make a referral if needed. We maintain relationships with several Psychiatrists for that reason.
What is the difference between an FNP and PMHNP credential for a Nurse Practitioner? +
FNP means Family Nurse Practitioner, and is common in primary care settings. These providers do treat mental health concerns, but often those that are commonly encountered in a primary care setting. PMHNP means Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and is a specialty designation for psychiatric services. They commonly treat a broader range of mental health concerns, such as those that primary care might make a referral for to "specialty care".
What makes a Prescribing Psychologist unique? +
Prescribing Psychologists spend approximately 6 years at the doctoral level training as psychotherapists and diagnostic testing experts. We complete our medical training after the fact, so we often see things from a behavioral and relational lens as much as we do a medical one. You might get a slightly different approach to your treatment plan based on that worldview, which can be beneficial if you are also involved in psychotherapy. Psychiatrists and NP's value those issues too, but Prescribing Psychologists spend more of their doctoral training in therapy and diagnostic assessment.