therapyforwomencenter.com
Therapy for Women
Psychiatry & Medication Management
Get psychiatric evaluations and medication management from our board-certified psychiatrist and nurse practitioner.
Get StartedAre you interested in using medication to help you improve your mental health?
- Have you been dealing with anxiety, depression, OCD, or another mental health issue?
- Are you currently in therapy, but thinking that you would benefit from more comprehensive help?
- Would you like to add another tool to your toolbox of supports and try medication?
Maybe you’re struggling with a lack of motivation and energy—you struggle to get out of bed in the morning and enjoy the things you normally enjoy. Or perhaps you’re feeling overwhelmed by life and unable to juggle all your responsibilities. You might suffer from racing thoughts, crying spells, irritability, and difficulty focusing. You may even end up avoiding other people because you feel like you’re a downer and you think people won’t enjoy being around you.
At the same time, maybe you’re in therapy and you’re starting to make progress, but you still feel like you could use some extra support. Your mood may be low, your energy may be lacking, and you might not feel like you’re coping with life’s challenges as well as you could be.
If this is the case, then we encourage you to get in touch the Therapy for Women Center in Philadelphia. We have a board-certified psychiatrist and nurse practitioner who offer medication management for any clients who are interested. Whether you’re seeing a therapist at our practice or another practice, you are welcome to pursue our psychiatric services and begin your journey toward healing and wellness.
Medication can offer a helpful supplement to therapy.
For many people dealing with mental health issues, medication in conjunction with therapy is the best way to treat their symptoms and find relief. Unfortunately, however, there is still a stigma around medication in many communities. Some people view taking medication as a sign of “weakness” and think that they should be able to overcome difficult emotions on their own.
The truth is that there is no shame in taking medication—just as you would take an antibiotic if you were sick, sometimes you simply need psychiatric medication to help you work through mental health issues. It isn’t a sign of weakness, but a sign of a desire to heal and grow. What’s more, medication does not need to be forever. Some clients can certainly benefit from staying on medication long-term, but many clients only need medication temporarily.
If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, substance abuse, an eating disorder, or any other mental health issues, it’s worth consulting a prescriber to see if psychiatric medication can help.
Get StartedMedication management can provide an extra dose of emotional relief.
Medications play a critical role in the treatment of various mental health struggles. The right medication can greatly reduce symptoms and significantly improve your quality of life. What’s more, it can increase the effectiveness of therapy by making it easier for you to implement the skills you and your therapist are working on.
That said, our board-certified psychiatrist and psychiatric nurse practitioner believe in a less-is-more approach to medication management. Unlike other practices, the Therapy for Women Center doesn’t push clients to try medication—we like to educate them about all their options first. This way, they have a choice about their treatment. After all, some clients find that counseling is beneficial enough that medication is not needed. For those who wish to see a prescriber, however, we try to put them on the minimum dose and the medications with the least possible side effects before trying other options.
Get StartedWhat to expect with our psychiatry and medication services
Medication management is a form of outpatient treatment that involves an assessment of a client’s need for medications, the provision of a prescription, and ongoing medical monitoring by a licensed prescriber. Throughout the process, your prescriber will evaluate your medication, weigh the potential side effects, and track your medicine’s safety and efficacy.
We provide psychiatry in conjunction with therapy, as we believe that that’s the best way to treat your mental health symptoms. Our psychiatrist and nurse practitioner can either collaborate with one of our therapists or a therapist from another practice for an additional fee. This way, you don’t have to switch counselors if you’re already seeing one at another location.
We believe that medication is one of the most effective tools you can have in your toolbox, but it’s important to remember that it’s not a magical cure. Being on the right medication simply makes it easier to utilize the coping skills and mindfulness strategies that your therapist teaches you. It can help you reach your mental health goals by boosting your mood and regaining the energy to make changes in your life.
Get StartedFrequently Asked Questions
We go out of our way to ensure you do not become dependent on medication. In your first session, you will have an entire hour to ask questions, understand your options, and learn about our approach. We provide clinical recommendations, but in the end, whether you want to take medication is up to you. We always try to give the minimum dose and only increase if needed.
Your mental health is one of the most important things about you. Just as you’d be willing to spend money on a medical issue, it’s worth investing in your mental and emotional wellness. What’s more, therapy and psychiatry don’t have to be long-term. Many of our clients see our psychiatrist or nurse practitioner for a few sessions to get stable on a medication, then they continue treatment with their primary care provider once they’re confident that they’re on the right prescription.
Our board-certified psychiatrist and nurse practitioner are experts in working with women who will fully listen to your concerns. Each initial appointment is 60 minutes and follow ups are 30 minutes. Our clinicians are deeply compassionate and strive to make you feel seen, heard, and understood. This is a reciprocal relationship, so we invite your feedback and insight as an integral part of the journey. After all, you know yourself best, so if something’s working or not working, we encourage you to let us know!
Let us help you find the path toward healing and wellness.
Between the power of therapy and the support of psychiatry, we are confident that our comprehensive approach to treatment can provide the relief you’re looking for. To begin your journey toward healing and wellness, you can contact us or book an appointment.
Dr. Eli Muhrer, MD
He/Him
Dr. Eli Muhrer is a board-certified psychiatrist based in Philadelphia. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a multidisciplinary focus on the human experience from Vassar College. He studied mood disorders at the National Institutes of Mental Health before obtaining his MD at Harvard Medical School. After completing his psychiatry residency at the University of Pennsylvania, he had advanced training in the medical treatment of mental health disorders (substance use, eating disorders, OCD, Anxiety, Depression, trauma, & PTSD) as well as different forms of psychotherapy.
Lynda Maslanka, PMHNP
She/Her
Lynda Maslanka (she/her), RN, MSN, PMHNP is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Lynda’s extensive nursing career and work experience began in Critical Care at the Johns Hopkins Bayview ICU in Baltimore, Maryland. She later began travel nursing and became staff at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center in 2010. Lynda holds undergraduate degrees from Emory University and Excelsior University. She received her Master’s in Nursing with honors from Walden University and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Nursing Practice at Purdue University. Lynda’s approach is one that utilizes evidence-based practice with patient safety and the best possible outcomes as the goal. She is committed to providing quality, compassionate, and comprehensive mental health services.
Kind Words From Real Patients
Visit us in Philly, the Main Line, or virtually in 43 states!
Click here to get startedTherapy for Women is a team of therapists dedicated to helping you break free from negative patterns and live the life you always wanted. Serving Philadelphia and 43 states online.
