Therapists in 05404
Hilary Viens
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LICSW
Verified Verified
Winooski, VT 05404 (Online Only)
Not accepting new clients
My name is Hilary Viens and I am a clinically licensed social worker (LICSW) and therapist in Vermont & Florida. I have 17 years of experience working in clinical social work settings and I am passionate about the field of mental health. I obtained a Master’s degree in clinical social work from Smith College in 2005. Since obtaining my MSW, I have worked in many settings providing crisis stabilization, therapeutic services, supervision, and community advocacy. In addition, I have specialized training in working with folks experiencing the following: intimate partner violence (IPV), histories of incarceration, and/or extreme states.
My name is Hilary Viens and I am a clinically licensed social worker (LICSW) and therapist in Vermont & Florida. I have 17 years of experience working in clinical social work settings and I am passionate about the field of mental health. I obtained a Master’s degree in clinical social work from Smith College in 2005. Since obtaining my MSW, I have worked in many settings providing crisis stabilization, therapeutic services, supervision, and community advocacy. In addition, I have specialized training in working with folks experiencing the following: intimate partner violence (IPV), histories of incarceration, and/or extreme states.
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Medication Management Therapists
What are the most effective ways to manage medications?
One of the most effective ways a patient can manage their medications is to keep a list of each drug and dosage they take. Such a list can be helpful in keeping to their schedule and can also be something they bring to their psychiatrist or other physician so that the healthcare provider has a clear picture of what they’re taking and in what quantity. Using a pill organizer can be useful for memory and organization. Patients should discuss their medications and their effects at every appointment.
What are the risks if medications are not managed properly?
A suboptimal approach to medication management can lead to potentially harmful health outcomes. Most psychiatric drugs have side effects, and if a patient is not aware of them, they may seek additional medical help or over the counter or prescription drugs to treat the side effects, which may have its own side effects, a process called “prescription cascade.” Another risk to disorganization is that a psychiatrist without full knowledge of a patient’s regimen could prescribe a medication that should not be mixed with a patient’s existing drugs.
What’s the best way to encourage someone to get help managing their medications?
It’s helpful to express concern and love for the person while framing medication management as a tool for improving their life and avoiding dangerous side effects. Offering specific examples of an individual’s failure to properly manage their medication regimen should be done with compassion and with empathy. It may be useful to break management down into parts, and there are several apps that can be used to organize which drugs are ingested, when they need to be refilled, and how they should be stored.
Are there natural treatments that can replace medications?
While there are many medications that can be vital to mental health, there are some natural lifestyle changes that can help reduce the need for drugs. Regular exercise, good sleep habits, a healthy diet, and therapy can all go a long way in symptom relief. Psychiatric medications typically treat symptoms but do not necessarily treat the cause of the condition. Many clinicians consider medications an adjunct to treatment rather than a treatment in and of itself.