Medication Management Services in New Jersey

Expert Psychiatric Medication Management in New Jersey

Expert psychiatric medication management by board-certified psychiatrists in Red Bank and via telehealth across NJ, NY, and PA

Medication management at Kolli Psychiatric & Associates provides expert psychiatric pharmacotherapy with board-certified, fellowship-trained psychiatrists who specialize in treating mental health conditions through evidence-based medication. As medical doctors with 12+ years of training in psychiatry and psychopharmacology, our psychiatrists understand how psychiatric medications work in the brain, which medications are most effective for specific conditions, how to minimize side effects, and how to adjust treatment as your needs change.

All of our providers are board-certified psychiatrists—medical doctors with specialized training in mental health. Most patients receive a comprehensive evaluation, accurate diagnosis, and personalized medication plan at the first visit, with close follow-up to monitor effectiveness and make adjustments.

Psychiatric medication management is more than just writing prescriptions—it’s an ongoing partnership between you and your psychiatrist to find the right medication at the right dose to help you feel and function your best. Whether you’re starting medication for the first time, need optimization of current medications that aren’t working well, want a second opinion on your treatment plan, or require ongoing management for chronic conditions like depression, anxiety, ADHD, or bipolar disorder, our psychiatrists provide the expertise and support you need.

We offer medication management in-person at our Red Bank office or via secure telehealth throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

See a Top-Rated Psychiatrist For Your Medication Appointment

If you’re struggling with symptoms of depression, anxiety, ADHD, or other psychiatric conditions and think medication might help—or if you’re already on medication that isn’t working well—our board-certified psychiatrists can provide the expert medication management you need.

Call our office at 732-655-4568 or book an appointment online. We serve patients in-person at our Red Bank office and via telehealth throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. We see patients from across Monmouth County including Freehold, Marlboro, Rumson, Middletown, Holmdel, and surrounding communities.

Ready for expert medication management that actually works?
Let’s find the right treatment for you—schedule your evaluation today.

What to Expect at Your Medication Management Appointment in New Jersey

Medication management begins with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to ensure accurate diagnosis before any medication is prescribed. Once treatment begins, ongoing appointments monitor your response and adjust treatment as needed.

Initial evaluation and medication consultation (60-minutes):

This first appointment is a thorough psychiatric assessment, not a quick prescription visit. Your psychiatrist needs to understand your complete clinical picture before recommending medication.

Your psychiatrist will explore:

• Your current symptoms—onset, duration, severity, and how they affect daily functioning
• Previous medication trials—what you’ve tried, what worked, what didn’t, and why medications were stopped
• Medical history—physical health conditions, surgeries, allergies, current medications and supplements
• Psychiatric history—previous diagnoses, hospitalizations, therapy experiences
• Family history—mental health conditions in blood relatives, medication responses
• Substance use—alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, other substances that may interact with psychiatric medication
• Your concerns, preferences, and goals for treatment
• Any specific worries about medication—side effects, dependency, long-term use

Your psychiatrist will discuss:

• Accurate diagnosis based on comprehensive evaluation
• Which medications are most effective for your specific condition
• How the recommended medication works in the brain
• Expected benefits and realistic timeline for improvement
• Potential side effects and how to manage them
• What to do if side effects occur
• Medication interactions with your current medications or substances
• Monitoring plan—lab work if needed, frequency of follow-up
• What happens if the first medication doesn’t work (there are always alternatives)

Prescriptions are sent electronically to your pharmacy the same day if you decide to proceed with medication. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of your diagnosis, treatment plan, what to expect, and when to follow up.

Follow-up medication management appointments (25-45 minutes):

Once you start medication, regular follow-up is essential to monitor effectiveness, assess side effects, and adjust treatment as needed.

Follow-up appointments typically occur:

• 2-4 weeks after starting a new medication
• Monthly during initial titration and optimization
• Every 2-3 months once medication is stable and effective
• More frequently if adjustments are needed

During follow-up appointments, your psychiatrist will:

• Assess how you’re responding to medication—symptom improvement, side effects, overall functioning
• Ask specific questions about mood, anxiety, sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, side effects
• Adjust dosage if needed—increase if response is inadequate, decrease if side effects are problematic
• Switch medications if current medication isn’t effective or tolerable
• Add medications if one medication alone isn’t sufficient
• Coordinate with your therapist if you’re in therapy
• Order lab work if needed to monitor medication safety
• Discuss long-term treatment plan—duration of medication, when to consider tapering

Medication management is collaborative. Your psychiatrist relies on your feedback about how you’re feeling and what you’re experiencing to make informed adjustments to your treatment.

After Starting Psychiatric Medication: What to Expect

Starting medication can feel overwhelming, but knowing what to expect makes the process less anxiety-provoking. Here’s what typically happens:

Initial response timeline varies by medication – Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications typically take 2-4 weeks for full effect, though some people notice improvement within days. ADHD medications work within 30-60 minutes. Mood stabilizers may take several weeks to months. Your psychiatrist will explain the timeline for your specific medication.

Side effects often improve with time – Many side effects (nausea, headache, jitteriness) are most noticeable in the first week and diminish as your body adjusts. Some side effects (sexual side effects, weight changes) may persist and require medication adjustment. Report any side effects at your follow-up so your psychiatrist can address them.

Dose adjustments are normal – It’s common to start at a low dose and gradually increase to find the optimal dose that provides symptom relief with minimal side effects. This titration process may take several weeks to months. Be patient with this process.

The first medication may not be the right one – About 30-40% of people don’t respond adequately to the first medication tried or experience intolerable side effects. This doesn’t mean medication won’t work for you—it means you need a different medication. There are multiple options for every condition, and your psychiatrist will keep adjusting until you find what works.

Close monitoring during the initial phase – Your psychiatrist will schedule frequent follow-ups during the first few months to monitor response, adjust dosing, and ensure you’re improving. Once medication is optimized, follow-ups become less frequent.

Coordination with therapy when beneficial – If you’re also in therapy, medication often works synergistically with psychotherapy. Medication addresses brain chemistry while therapy teaches coping skills and addresses thought patterns. Your psychiatrist can coordinate with your therapist (whether in our practice or external) to ensure integrated care.

Long-term treatment plan – Once you’re feeling better, your psychiatrist will discuss how long to continue medication. Some conditions require short-term treatment (6-12 months), while others benefit from longer-term or indefinite treatment to prevent relapse. You and your psychiatrist will make this decision together based on your history and preferences.

Medication management is an ongoing process, not a one-time prescription. Your psychiatrist is your partner in finding the treatment that works best for you.

Why Monmouth County Patients Choose Our Psychiatrists for Medication Management

Board-certified psychiatrists with specialized psychopharmacology expertise

All of our providers are board-certified psychiatrists with medical degrees. Most have completed additional fellowship training in specialties like child and adolescent psychiatry or geriatric psychiatry.

Patients typically receive a comprehensive evaluation, accurate diagnosis, and personalized medication plan at the first visit, with close follow-up to monitor effectiveness and make adjustments.

Comprehensive evaluation before prescribing

We don’t prescribe medication after a 15-minute conversation. Every new patient receives a thorough 60 minute psychiatric evaluation to ensure accurate diagnosis before any medication is recommended. Misdiagnosis leads to ineffective treatment—we take the time to get it right from the start.

Evidence-based medication choices

We prescribe medications with strong research support for their effectiveness and safety. We stay current on the latest psychiatric medication research and clinical guidelines to ensure you receive optimal treatment based on the best available evidence.

Expertise in complex and treatment-resistant cases

If you’ve tried multiple medications without success, have multiple psychiatric diagnoses, or have complex medical conditions that complicate treatment, our psychiatrists have the expertise to manage complicated cases. We understand pharmacokinetics, medication interactions, genetic factors affecting medication response, and advanced treatment strategies.

All psychiatric medications prescribed and managed

We prescribe and manage the full range of psychiatric medications including antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, atypicals), anti-anxiety medications (benzodiazepines, buspirone, hydroxyzine), ADHD medications (stimulants and non-stimulants), mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and sleep medications. We’re comfortable managing controlled substances when clinically appropriate.

Safe medication management during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Our psychiatrists have specialized expertise in reproductive psychiatry and medication safety during pregnancy and postpartum. We help you weigh the risks of untreated mental illness versus medication exposure to make informed decisions about treatment during pregnancy and breastfeeding. We prescribe only medications with the best safety profiles when treating pregnant and postpartum women.

Medication optimization and augmentation strategies

If your current medication isn’t fully effective, we don’t just switch medications—we evaluate whether dose adjustment, augmentation (adding a second medication), or combination strategies might improve your response. Our expertise in psychopharmacology means we can optimize treatment in ways that less specialized providers may not consider.

Coordination with your therapist and other providers

We believe in integrated care and actively coordinate with your therapist, primary care doctor, and other healthcare providers. If you’re seeing one of our in-house therapists, your psychiatrist and therapist work as a team. If you see an outside therapist, we’ll collaborate with them (with your permission) to ensure medication and therapy support each other.

Convenient Red Bank location plus flexible telehealth

Choose from in-person medication management at our Red Bank office or meet with your psychiatrist via secure telehealth from anywhere in New Jersey, New York, or Pennsylvania. Once you’re established as a patient, most follow-up medication management visits work perfectly via telehealth, eliminating commute time and making it easier to fit appointments into your schedule.

Insurance-friendly out-of-network practice

We partner with Thrizer to handle your out-of-network insurance billing. Medication management visits are typically covered as out-of-network mental health benefits. Many patients receive significant reimbursement and only pay their copay after meeting their deductible.

Psychiatric Conditions We Treat Through Medication Management in New Jersey

Our psychiatrists provide expert medication management for the full spectrum of psychiatric conditions in children, adolescents, and adults.

Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) – We prescribe and manage antidepressants including SSRIs (Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa, Paxil), SNRIs (Effexor, Cymbalta, Pristiq), atypical antidepressants (Wellbutrin, Remeron, Trintellix), and others. For treatment-resistant depression, we use augmentation strategies and advanced treatment approaches.

Anxiety Disorders – Medication management for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, health anxiety, and phobias using SSRIs, SNRIs, buspirone, hydroxyzine, and when appropriate, benzodiazepines for short-term relief or severe symptoms. We understand the role of each medication class and prescribe based on your specific anxiety presentation.

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) – We prescribe and manage all ADHD medications including stimulants (Adderall, Adderall XR, Vyvanse, Ritalin, Concerta, Focalin, Quillivant) and non-stimulants (Strattera, Intuniv, Qelbree). We’re experts in finding the right medication, dose, and formulation to optimize focus and functioning with minimal side effects.

OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) – Medication management with SSRIs, Anafranil, or augmentation strategies for OCD. Medication is most effective when combined with exposure and response prevention therapy, which we can coordinate.

Bipolar Disorder – Comprehensive medication management with mood stabilizers (lithium, Depakote, Lamictal), atypical antipsychotics (Abilify, Latuda, Seroquel), and careful monitoring to prevent mood episodes. Bipolar disorder requires expertise in medication management—it’s essential to work with a psychiatrist.

PTSD and Trauma-Related Conditions – Medication management with SSRIs, SNRIs, and other medications that reduce PTSD symptoms including intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, and emotional numbing. Medication works alongside trauma-focused therapy.

Postpartum Depression and Anxiety – Safe medication management for postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, including medications compatible with breastfeeding. We understand the unique pharmacological considerations of the postpartum period.

PMDD and Hormonal Mood Disorders – Medication management with SSRIs (continuous or luteal-phase dosing), hormonal approaches, and other strategies for premenstrual dysphoric disorder and menstrual-related mood changes.

Perimenopause and Menopause-Related Mood Symptoms – Antidepressants and other psychiatric medications for mood changes, anxiety, irritability, and sleep problems during the menopausal transition.

Panic Disorder – Medication management with SSRIs, SNRIs, and when needed, benzodiazepines for acute panic attacks. We help you manage panic disorder with effective medication while minimizing benzodiazepine dependence.

Insomnia and Sleep Disorders – When insomnia is related to psychiatric conditions, we prescribe appropriate sleep medications and address underlying anxiety, depression, or other conditions affecting sleep.

Bipolar Disorder, Psychotic Disorders, and Complex Conditions – Our psychiatrists manage severe mental illness requiring antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and complex medication regimens. We provide the level of expertise needed for these challenging conditions.

When Should You Consider Psychiatric Medication Management?

Psychiatric medication isn’t always necessary, but it’s highly effective for many conditions.

Consider medication management if:

You’ve been diagnosed with a psychiatric condition and your symptoms significantly interfere with work, relationships, school, or daily functioning. Medication can provide relief when symptoms are too severe to manage with therapy or lifestyle changes alone.

You’ve tried therapy alone and aren’t improving despite working with a good therapist and engaging fully in treatment. Sometimes brain chemistry needs to be addressed before therapy can be fully effective.

Your symptoms are moderate to severe and causing significant distress or impairment. While mild symptoms may improve with therapy and lifestyle changes, moderate to severe depression, anxiety, or other conditions typically respond best to medication.

You have a condition that typically requires medication like ADHD, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, severe OCD, or treatment-resistant depression. These conditions have strong biological components that medication addresses.

Your primary care doctor suggested seeing a psychiatrist because they recognize your symptoms need specialized psychiatric medication management beyond what they can provide.

You’re already on psychiatric medication but it’s not working well or causes intolerable side effects. A psychiatrist can optimize your medication regimen in ways your primary care doctor or previous provider may not have considered.

You need medication management during pregnancy or postpartum and want expert guidance on medication safety for mother and baby.

You’re concerned about starting medication and want expert guidance from someone with the highest level of training in psychopharmacology.

You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from medication management. If symptoms are interfering with your life, medication evaluation is appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions About Psychiatric Medication Management in NJ

1. Where can I find psychiatric medication management near me in Red Bank or Monmouth County?

Kolli Psychiatric & Associates provides expert psychiatric medication management in Red Bank, NJ, serving patients throughout Monmouth County including Freehold, Marlboro, Rumson, Middletown, Holmdel, and surrounding areas. All of our providers are board-certified, fellowship-trained psychiatrists—not nurse practitioners—with specialized expertise in psychopharmacology. We offer medication management both in-person at our Red Bank office and via telehealth throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

2. What is psychiatric medication management?

Medication management is ongoing psychiatric care focused on using medication to treat mental health conditions. It includes comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis, prescribing appropriate medication, monitoring effectiveness and side effects, adjusting dosages, switching medications when needed, and long-term management to maintain stability and prevent relapse. It’s a partnership between you and your psychiatrist to find the right medication at the right dose to help you function optimally.

3. How is medication management different from therapy?

Therapy (talk therapy) involves working with a therapist to process emotions, change thought patterns, develop coping skills, and address behavioral or relationship problems. Medication management involves working with a psychiatrist to address brain chemistry imbalances through psychiatric medication.

Many people benefit from both—medication addresses the biological component while therapy addresses psychological and behavioral components. At Kolli Psychiatric, we offer both services and can coordinate care if you need both medication and therapy.

4. Do I need to see a psychiatrist for medication, or can my primary care doctor prescribe psychiatric medication?

Primary care doctors can prescribe basic psychiatric medications like common antidepressants, but psychiatrists have 12+ years of specialized training in psychiatric diagnosis and psychopharmacology. Psychiatrists should manage your care if you have complex conditions, haven’t responded to first-line medications, have multiple diagnoses, need controlled substances like ADHD stimulants, require medication during pregnancy, or want the highest level of expertise.

The difference in training is significant—psychiatrists are the experts in medication management.

5. What happens at my first medication management appointment?

Your first appointment is a comprehensive 60 minute psychiatric evaluation. Your psychiatrist will assess your symptoms, psychiatric history, medical history, previous medication trials, family history, and current functioning. Based on this evaluation, they’ll provide a diagnosis, discuss treatment options, recommend specific medications, explain how medications work and potential side effects, and answer all your questions. If you decide to proceed with medication, the prescription is sent electronically to your pharmacy the same day.

6. How long do follow-up medication management appointments take?

Follow-up appointments are typically 25-45 minutes. Your psychiatrist will assess how you’re responding to medication, ask about side effects and symptom improvement, adjust treatment as needed, and ensure you’re progressing toward your goals. Follow-ups are usually scheduled every 2-4 weeks initially, then monthly, then every 2-3 months once medication is stable and effective.

7. Will I be prescribed medication at my first appointment?

Most patients receive medication recommendations at the first appointment if medication is clinically appropriate. Your psychiatrist will thoroughly discuss the recommended medication, how it works, expected timeline for improvement, potential side effects, and answer all questions. If you’re comfortable proceeding, the prescription is sent to your pharmacy the same day. If you need time to think about it or have concerns, you can schedule a follow-up to discuss further before starting medication.

8. What if the first medication doesn’t work?

This is common—about 30-40% of people don’t respond adequately to the first medication tried or experience intolerable side effects. Your psychiatrist will try a different medication, adjust the dose, add a second medication, or use augmentation strategies. There are multiple medication options for every condition, and persistence usually leads to finding an effective treatment. Your psychiatrist won’t give up until you find something that works.

9. How long does it take for psychiatric medication to work?

This varies by medication class. ADHD stimulant medications work within 30-60 minutes. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety SSRIs can take 4-8 weeks for full effect, though some people notice improvement within the first week. Mood stabilizers may take several weeks to months. Your psychiatrist will explain the timeline for your specific medication so you know what to expect.

10. What are common side effects of psychiatric medication?

Side effects vary by medication, but common ones include nausea, headache, jitteriness or sedation, changes in appetite or weight, sleep disturbances, sexual side effects, and dry mouth. Many side effects are most noticeable in the first week and improve as your body adjusts. Some side effects persist and may require medication adjustment. Your psychiatrist will discuss specific side effects for your medication and how to manage them.

11. Are psychiatric medications addictive?

Most psychiatric medications are not addictive. Antidepressants, ADHD medications taken as prescribed, mood stabilizers, and most anti-anxiety medications don’t cause dependency. Some medications like benzodiazepines can cause physical dependence with long-term use, which is why psychiatrists prescribe them carefully and monitor closely. Your psychiatrist will discuss the specific safety profile of any medication recommended for you.

12. How long will I need to take psychiatric medication?

This depends on your condition, history, and preferences. Some people take medication for 6-12 months to treat an isolated depressive episode and then successfully taper off. Others take medication long-term to manage chronic conditions like recurrent depression, bipolar disorder, or ADHD. Your psychiatrist will discuss duration of treatment based on your specific situation, and you’ll make decisions together about how long to continue medication.

13. Can I stop taking psychiatric medication whenever I want?

Some medications can be stopped abruptly, but most should be tapered gradually to avoid discontinuation symptoms or relapse. Never stop psychiatric medication without consulting your psychiatrist first. If you want to stop medication, your psychiatrist will help you taper safely and monitor for symptom recurrence. If symptoms return, you can always restart medication.

14. Where can I get medication management for depression near me?

Kolli Psychiatric & Associates provides expert depression medication management in Red Bank and throughout Monmouth County, NJ. Our board-certified psychiatrists prescribe and manage all classes of antidepressants including SSRIs, SNRIs, atypical antidepressants, and use augmentation strategies for treatment-resistant depression. We offer both in-person and telehealth medication management appointments.

15. Can I get ADHD medication management near me?

Yes. We provide comprehensive ADHD medication management for children, teens, and adults in Red Bank, Freehold, Marlboro, and throughout Monmouth County, NJ. Our psychiatrists prescribe and manage all ADHD medications including stimulants (Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin, Concerta) and non-stimulants (Strattera, Intuniv, Qelbree). We’re experts in optimizing ADHD medication for maximum effectiveness with minimal side effects.

16. Do you prescribe controlled substances like Adderall, Xanax, or Klonopin?

Yes. As board-certified psychiatrists, we’re fully licensed to prescribe controlled substances when clinically appropriate. We prescribe stimulant ADHD medications like Adderall and Vyvanse, benzodiazepines for anxiety when appropriate, and other controlled medications. We take prescribing controlled substances seriously, monitor carefully, and ensure they’re used safely and appropriately.

17. Can you manage medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Yes. Our psychiatrists have specialized expertise in reproductive psychiatry and medication safety during pregnancy and postpartum. We help you weigh the risks of untreated mental illness versus medication exposure to make informed decisions. Many psychiatric medications can be used safely during pregnancy and breastfeeding when benefits outweigh risks. We prescribe only medications with the best safety profiles and monitor carefully.

18. Can I do medication management via telehealth?

Yes. Once you complete your initial evaluation (which can be in-person or via telehealth), follow-up medication management appointments work perfectly via telehealth. We offer secure, HIPAA-compliant video appointments throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Prescriptions are sent electronically to your pharmacy regardless of whether your appointment is in-person or via telehealth. Many patients prefer telehealth for the convenience.

19. Do you coordinate with my therapist or other providers?

Yes. We believe in integrated care and coordinate with your therapist, primary care doctor, and other healthcare providers with your permission. If you’re seeing one of our in-house therapists, your psychiatrist and therapist work as a team. If you see an external therapist, we’ll collaborate to ensure medication and therapy support each other.

19. Is medication management covered by insurance?

Kolli Psychiatric & Associates is an out-of-network practice, but medication management visits are typically covered as out-of-network mental health benefits. We partner with Thrizer to handle your insurance billing, and many patients receive significant reimbursement. After meeting your deductible, you often only pay your copay for visits. We provide detailed superbills for all major insurance carriers.

20. How soon can I schedule a medication management appointment?

We typically have availability for new patient medication management evaluations within 1-2 weeks. Call our office at 732-655-4568 or request an appointment online, and our team will schedule you with one of our board-certified psychiatrists—either in-person at our Red Bank office or via telehealth.