Practical Practice: ‘Courageous’ conversations with clients about a medication evaluation may be necessary

Psychotherapy for depression is the treatment of choice over medication for people willing to seek mental health help. The American Psychological Association’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for the general adult population suggest that a shared decision-making model be used to help people with depression make informed decisions about treatment with psychotherapy and/or second-generation antidepressants.
Ideally, psychologists would screen all new clients presenting for psychotherapy treatment with standardized assessments for depression, anxiety, and psychological wellbeing. If symptoms do not improve, the clinician could discuss the potential benefits of a consultation with a prescriber to determine whether augmentation with psychotropic me...