Specialty Psychiatric Services • New Jersey: in-person evaluations + in-person or telehealth follow-ups • Florida: telehealth
Psychiatric Medication Evaluation & Management
Ongoing psychiatric care built on a clear diagnosis, careful monitoring, and treatment decisions that fit the person, at ADHD, Mood & Behavior Center
Medication can help, and it works best when it follows a clear diagnosis and a clear goal. At the Center, Dr. Merritt Hubsher weighs each decision against the patient’s history, how they’ve responded to past treatment, and how they’re doing now, then keeps checking as things change.
Medication can help, and it works best when it follows a clear diagnosis and a clear goal. At the Center, Dr. Merritt Hubsher weighs each decision against the patient’s history, how they’ve responded to past treatment, and how they’re doing now, then keeps checking as things change.
Medication management at a glance
Whether a patient is considering medication, adjusting an existing plan, or continuing care after an evaluation, follow-up visits with Dr. Hubsher are where he monitors treatment and refines it.
All new patients begin with a psychiatric evaluation before medication management.
Why Evaluation Comes Before Medication Management
Medication changes alone may not address the full problem when the underlying cause is unclear, so the comprehensive psychiatric evaluation comes first. It establishes the diagnosis, history, and treatment goals, and it gives later visits a clear starting point to measure against.
When Medication Isn’t Working as Expected
Patients often come in because a medication is only partly helping: focus is better but anxiety remains, mood has lifted, but sleep is still difficult, or the benefit comes with side effects that get in the way of daily life.
In those cases, Dr. Hubsher takes a closer look at what’s helping, what isn’t, and whether the benefits outweigh the side effects before changing anything. That may lead to an adjustment in the plan, or to a question about the diagnosis itself, which a psychiatric second opinion can address.
In those cases, Dr. Hubsher takes a closer look at what’s helping, what isn’t, and whether the benefits outweigh the side effects before changing anything. That may lead to an adjustment in the plan, or to a question about the diagnosis itself, which a psychiatric second opinion can address.
While waiting to be seen, patients shouldn’t stop or change a medication on their own. Questions about current medication go to the clinician who manages it.
How Current and Previous Medications Are Reviewed
A patient’s medication history can be just as important as what they are taking today. Whether a patient has never taken psychiatric medication or has tried several, Dr. Hubsher carefully reviews what they have taken, how they responded, whether the benefits were partial or temporary, any side effects, why medications were changed, and what other treatments were used alongside them. The patient’s goals and the concerns of the patient and/or their parents are also considered to help guide treatment decisions.
Individualized Treatment Decisions and Monitoring
There’s no default regimen. Each decision weighs the diagnosis, treatment goals, past response, expected benefit, and side effects, and gets revisited as the patient’s situation changes. When medication is appropriate, Dr. Hubsher explains why he’s recommending it, what response to expect, what side effects to watch for, and which changes in symptoms to monitor. At follow-up visits, he checks how treatment is working and asks about side effects and daily functioning. He listens for new or changing symptoms and for what parents, teachers, or a patient’s workplace are noticing, then adjusts to the clinical situation, not a set schedule.
How Often Follow-Up Visits Happen
Frequency is individualized. Visits tend to be closer together when medication is being started or changed, then spread out as treatment stabilizes.
Medication Alongside Other Care
Medication is often one piece of treatment. Depending on the patient, the plan can also include therapy with one of the Center’s therapists, additional testing, or school and work supports. Dr. Hubsher’s recommendations point to which of these are worth pursuing, and not every patient needs them. Therapy and coaching are provided by the Center’s therapists, separate from his medication management.
For questions about your care, call the office at 973-605-5000
Questions About Starting or Continuing Care?
If you’re not sure where to start, the front desk can help work out which step comes first and what to expect from there.