New Book Teaches Psychiatrists How to Incorporate Psychotherapy into Medication Check Appointments

May 22, 2009 - PRLog -- Edgemont, PA—A new textbook for practicing psychiatrists from Matrix Medical Communications (MMC) addresses one of the major issues of community psychiatric practice—how to incorporate psychotherapy into the standard 15- to 30-minute “medication check” appointment. MMC is pleased to announce the release of the book, More than Medication: Incorporating Psychotherapy into Community Psychiatry Appointments, edited by Paulette M. Gillig, MD, PhD, and Ann K. Morrison, MD.

Even when working with a co-therapist or treatment team, psychotherapy by the psychiatrist needs to be as integral a part of the patient’s care as the prescribed medication, no matter what the diagnosis or the composition of the treatment team. Drs. Gillig and Morrison address this challenge with contributions from psychotherapy experts across the field of psychiatry, covering a wide range of diagnoses, including dual diagnosis, schizophrenia, personality disorders, mood disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, developmental disabilities, children and adolescent issues, and death and dying bereavement issues. The editors and contributors throughout the book use composite case examples (not actual patients) and share with the reader how the psychiatrist can utilize brief medication check appointments as opportunities to offer patients psychotherapy.

“The long tenure of the ongoing so-called “med-check” relationship between the community psychiatrist and patient can be used to enhance development when treatment is coordinated with the more focal therapy that is being done by other members of the treatment team,” says Dr. Gillig.  “In this book, we address how the psychiatrist can integrate psychotherapy within brief medical management appointments—not in an “ad hoc” manner, but rather by planning this part of treatment from the perspective of adolescent and adult development models.”  

“Adult developmental milestones may still be attainable, but have been interrupted by the onset of serious symptoms,” says Dr. Morrison. “Advances can be made psychotherapeutically during periods of relative remission, and these gains can be supported during exacerbations of the illness. The community psychiatrist is in an excellent position to evaluate the patient’s fluctuating strengths and vulnerabilities and intervene psychotherapeutically at the most effective points in time to enhance recovery and improve the patient's quality of life.”

“This book is a must-read, not just for psychiatrists, but for any healthcare professional who treats psychiatric patients,” says Elizabeth Klumpp, Vice President, Executive Editor, Matrix Medical Communications. “The editors have compiled an impressive group of contributors who review and describe, in a practical, how-to fashion, techniques on integrating psychotherapy into many different types of treatment plans for a variety of diagnoses.” she says.

More than Medication: Incorporating Psychotherapy into Community Psychiatry Appointments • ISSN 978-0-9768526-4-3 • Paperback • Price: $49.95 • 2009 • 156 pp. •  10 Contributors • Case Examples • Visit www.psychiatrymmc.com to place an order or call (866) 325-9907.

About the Editors

Paulette M. Gillig, MD, PhD, is Professor of Psychiatry, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, and Department Editor of the popular series, Psychotherapy Rounds, published in the peer-reviewed journal, Psychiatry (Edgemont). For about 15 years, Dr. Gillig has developed and led a successful state-academic partnership for training psychiatry residents in underserved locations, and has written extensively about clinical challenges for the psychiatrist in community-based programs and about the clinical research that has been conducted as part of this ongoing partnership.  

Ann K. Morrison, MD, is Associate Professor and Director of Community Psychiatry, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, and coordinates the community psychiatry training for psychiatric residents where she is also the Ohio Department of Mental Health Public Psychiatry Professor. She has practiced for nearly 20 years in a variety of community mental health settings in Ohio. These clinical sites have included comprehensive community mental health centers providing both inpatient and outpatient care, a PACT team, and a clinic for homeless individuals.

About Matrix Medical Communications:
Based in Edgemont, Pennsylvania, Matrix Medical Communications (MMC) is a leading source of medical information in psychiatry, obesity, and metabolic disorders. MMC is the publisher of the peer-reviewed journals, Psychiatry e-magazine, Bariatric Times, Bariatric Times en Espanol, BMI: Body Mind Inspiration e-magazine, and The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, as well as several textbooks, including More than Medication: Incorporating Psychotherapy into Community Psychiatry Appointments, Challenges of Caring for the Obese Patient, The Emotional First Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery, and Micronutrition for the Weight Loss Surgery Patient. The Company also provides integrated marketing solutions, such as supplements, symposia management, electronic media, market research, and custom publishing.  Custom publishing includes symposium proceedings, review articles, newsletters, translation services, and industry-supported journals.

For further information, visit www.psychiatrymmc.com

Contacts
Robert L. Dougherty
President/Group Publisher
866-325-9907 / 484-266-0702
rdougherty@matrixmedcom.com

Elizabeth Klumpp
Vice President/Executive Editor
866-325-9907 / 484-266-0702
eklumpp@matrixmedcom.com

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Matrix Medical Communications (MMC) is a leading source of peer-reviewed medical journals, textbooks, and websites in psychiatry, obesity, and metabolic disorders.