Medications & mental health
Medication can be a powerful tool — and it's also one of the most misunderstood parts of mental health care. Here's what I want my clients to know.
Whether you're considering medication for the first time, already taking something and wondering if it's working, or thinking about tapering off — this is a conversation that deserves nuance, not judgment. There's no one-size-fits-all answer, and the right choice depends on your unique situation, history, and goals.
What medication can do
Psychiatric medications — antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, mood stabilizers, and others — work by altering brain chemistry. When they're well-matched to your needs, they can:
- Reduce the intensity of anxiety, depression, or emotional overwhelm
- Create enough stability for you to engage meaningfully in therapy
- Help regulate sleep, appetite, and energy levels
- Provide relief when symptoms are severe enough to interfere with daily life
For some people, medication is a bridge — something that helps stabilize the ground beneath them while they do the deeper work of healing. For others, it's a longer-term support that makes life more manageable. Both are valid.
What medication can't do
Medication can change your brain chemistry, but it can't change your patterns, your relationships, or the way you relate to yourself. It won't resolve unprocessed trauma, teach you how to set boundaries, or help you understand why you keep choosing the same kinds of partners.
This is where therapy comes in. Medication and therapy are not competing approaches — they're complementary. Medication can quiet the noise enough for you to hear yourself think. Therapy helps you figure out what to do with what you hear.
Common concerns I hear
No. Taking medication means you're paying attention to what your body needs. There's no moral value attached to whether you take medication or not. What matters is that you're making an informed, intentional choice.
The right medication shouldn't flatten you or take away your personality. If you feel emotionally numb, disconnected, or unlike yourself on a medication, that's important information — and it's worth discussing with your prescriber.
Absolutely. Many people do deep, transformative work in therapy without medication. But if your symptoms are so intense that you can't sleep, can't focus, or can't function, medication may help create the conditions for therapy to be effective.
Side effects are real and worth taking seriously. Common ones include weight changes, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, and emotional blunting. A good prescriber will work with you to find the right medication and dosage — and will listen when something isn't working.
My approach
I'm not a prescriber — I can't prescribe or manage medication. But I can be a thoughtful partner in the conversation. If you're considering medication, I'll help you think through the decision with clarity and self-compassion. If you're already on medication, we'll pay attention to how it's affecting your experience and your therapeutic work.
I believe in a whole-person approach. That means honoring your body, your emotions, your history, and your autonomy. Sometimes that includes medication. Sometimes it doesn't. Either way, you're in the driver's seat.
Important note
This article is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Never start, stop, or change medication without consulting your prescribing physician or psychiatrist. If you're in crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.