Psychiatric Services · Lanham & Wheaton
Medication Management in Lanham & Wheaton, MD
Through our outpatient mental health clinic, you can get a psychiatric evaluation and ongoing medication management in Lanham and Wheaton, MD, coordinated with your therapy so your care team works from the same plan.
In person in Lanham & Wheaton · Telehealth across Maryland
- Includes
- Psychiatric assessment, prescriptions, follow-ups
- Coordinated with
- Your therapy at our clinic
- Offered through
- Our outpatient mental health clinic (OMHC)
- Insurance
- Medicaid, Medicare and major plans
- CARF accredited
- Medicaid & Medicare
- Telehealth available
- Se habla español
When medication may be part of the plan
Therapy is powerful, but sometimes symptoms are so loud it’s hard to use the skills you’re learning. Depression that keeps you in bed, panic that hits several times a week, mood swings, racing thoughts or sleep that has fallen apart can all slow progress. In those cases, medication can turn the volume down enough for therapy to do its work. Medication management in Lanham and Wheaton, MD through our clinic gives you that option without leaving the practice where you already get care.
Psychiatric assessments and medication management are available through McGuire Therapeutic Services’ outpatient mental health clinic. That means your prescriber and your therapist are part of one team. With your permission, they can share observations, so you aren’t the only one carrying information back and forth between offices that never talk to each other. Changes in your mood or sleep that your therapist notices can reach your prescriber quickly, and the reverse is true too.
What happens at a psychiatric evaluation
A psychiatric evaluation is a longer, detailed appointment. The prescriber will ask about your current symptoms and how long they’ve lasted, past treatment and medications, medical conditions, sleep, alcohol or substance use, and family history of mental health conditions. Bring a list of your current medications and supplements, plus past records if you have them. This visit is about getting the picture right, because the right treatment depends on it.
At the end, the prescriber will share their impressions and talk through options. That might mean starting a medication, adjusting one you already take, or recommending therapy alone for now. You’re part of that decision. It’s a good time to ask how a medication works, how long it may take to help, what side effects are common, and what happens if it doesn’t suit you.
Conditions a psychiatric assessment can help clarify
People come to us for a psychiatric assessment for many reasons. Some have struggled for years without a clear diagnosis. Others were diagnosed long ago and wonder whether it still fits. Some have tried medications that didn’t help or caused side effects they couldn’t live with. A careful assessment can sort out overlapping symptoms, such as anxiety that is really part of depression, or mood swings that may point to bipolar disorder.
Concerns we commonly assess
- Depression and persistent low mood
- Anxiety, panic and obsessive worry
- Bipolar disorder and other mood disorders
- Trauma-related symptoms, nightmares and PTSD
- Psychosis and thinking disorders
- Sleep problems tied to mental health
- Attention and concentration difficulties
Follow-ups, adjustments and working with your therapist
Finding the right medication and dose can take some adjustment. Follow-up visits are typically shorter and closer together at first, then spaced out once things are stable. Each time, the prescriber checks how you’re sleeping, eating and feeling, whether side effects have appeared, and whether the medication is doing what it should. Be honest, including if you’ve skipped doses or stopped. That information helps, and you won’t be judged for it.
For many conditions, including moderate to severe depression and anxiety, research generally finds that combining medication with therapy works better than either alone. Medication can ease symptoms, while counseling builds skills, addresses what’s underneath and helps prevent relapse. Medication rarely solves relationship strain, grief or old patterns on its own. If you receive medication management here, we’ll encourage regular counseling as well, whether that’s depression therapy, anxiety therapy or trauma-focused care.
Helpful things to track between visits
- Mood and energy from day to day
- Sleep quality and hours
- Appetite or weight changes
- Side effects, even mild ones
- Missed doses
- Alcohol or other substance use
- Big life events or new stressors
Medication can lower the volume. Therapy helps you change the song.
What we can and can’t promise
Every prescribing decision is made by the prescriber after an evaluation, based on what’s safe and appropriate for you. We can’t guarantee any particular medication, and we don’t promise prescriptions for controlled substances such as stimulants, benzodiazepines or certain sleep medications. If a medication you’ve taken elsewhere isn’t the right fit, the prescriber will explain why and discuss alternatives. Never stop or change a medication on your own, since some need to be tapered safely.
If you notice side effects that frighten you, or you have thoughts of suicide, don’t wait for your next appointment. Call, text or chat 988 (free, 24/7), call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room. In Prince George’s County, the mobile crisis team can be reached at 301-429-2185. For people who need ongoing, more intensive community-based psychiatric support, ask about our mobile treatment team.
Cost, insurance and location
We accept Maryland Medicaid, Medicare, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, UnitedHealthcare/Optum, Johns Hopkins EHP, Wellpoint (Amerigroup), Luminare Health and Claritev. We obtain any authorization your plan requires and tell you about copays or deductibles before your appointment. Our Lanham clinic on Annapolis Road serves Prince George’s County residents from New Carrollton, Greenbelt, Bowie and Hyattsville, and our Wheaton office serves Montgomery County.
How it works
- 1
Request an appointment
Call 301-731-1222 or request an appointment online and let us know you’re interested in a psychiatric assessment.
- 2
Complete the intake questionnaire
Fill out the secure OMHC questionnaire, including current medications and history.
- 3
Psychiatric evaluation
Meet with a prescriber to clarify your diagnosis and discuss whether medication fits your goals.
- 4
Follow-ups, coordinated with therapy
Regular check-ins to fine-tune treatment while your therapist supports your progress.
Frequently asked questions
Medication Management: your questions, answered
Still wondering about something? Talk to a real person. 301-731-1222
How do I get a psychiatric evaluation in Prince George’s County?
Contact McGuire Therapeutic Services and ask about a psychiatric assessment through our outpatient mental health clinic in Lanham or Wheaton. You’ll complete our OMHC intake questionnaire, we’ll verify your insurance, and then schedule your evaluation. If you’re already in therapy with us, your therapist can help you request one.
Do I have to be in therapy to receive medication management?
We strongly encourage it, because medication and counseling tend to work best together and our clinic is built around that coordination. Talk with us about your situation when you call. If you already see a therapist elsewhere, we can discuss how to coordinate, with your written permission.
How often are medication management appointments?
Follow-ups are usually more frequent when you’re starting or changing a medication, so the prescriber can watch for side effects and adjust the dose. Once you’re stable, visits are typically spaced further apart. The schedule depends on your medication, your symptoms and how you’re doing, and you can always reach out sooner if something changes.
Will you prescribe controlled substances like Adderall or Xanax?
We can’t promise any specific medication, including controlled substances such as stimulants or benzodiazepines. Every prescription is a clinical decision the prescriber makes after a full evaluation, weighing benefits, risks and alternatives. If a controlled medication isn’t appropriate, they’ll explain why and talk through other options that may help.
Does insurance cover medication management in Lanham and Wheaton, MD?
Most plans cover psychiatric evaluations and medication management. We accept Maryland Medicaid, Medicare, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, UnitedHealthcare/Optum, Johns Hopkins EHP, Wellpoint (Amerigroup), Luminare Health and Claritev. We check your benefits and explain any copay or deductible before your first appointment.
Can I continue a medication another provider prescribed?
Often, yes, but it isn’t automatic. Bring your medication list and any records to your evaluation. The prescriber will review your history and decide whether to continue, adjust or change your medication. Keep taking your current prescription as directed until you’ve been seen, and don’t stop anything abruptly.
Therapy & Psychiatry
Related services
Outpatient Mental Health Clinic (OMHC)
Counseling, psychiatric assessment and medication management for children, teens, adults and families.
Learn more
Depression Therapy
Therapy for depression, low mood and mood disorders, with medication management when it helps.
Learn more
Anxiety Therapy
Help for panic, constant worry, social anxiety and perfectionism using CBT and mindfulness skills.
Learn more
Mobile Treatment Services
Intensive, team-based mental health care delivered in the home and community after outpatient treatment or hospital stays haven't been enough.
Learn moreStart here
Take the first step toward feeling like yourself again.
Call, email or request an appointment online. We’ll listen, answer your questions, and match you with the right clinician or program.
