Mental Health First

Mental health is essential because it affects how we think, feel, and handle stress, influencing every aspect of our daily lives. Maintaining good mental health enables resilience, productivity, and meaningful relationships.

Medications and therapy are essential tools in addressing mental health needs, each playing a distinct but complementary role.

Medications can help by correcting chemical imbalances in the brain that contribute to mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. They may alleviate symptoms like mood swings, anxiety, or psychosis, enabling individuals to function more effectively in daily life. Common classes of medications include antidepressants, antianxiety drugs, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics. Medication management often requires careful monitoring by a healthcare provider to optimize benefits and minimize side effects.

Therapy, particularly psychotherapy, provides a structured environment to explore emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Therapeutic approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and psychodynamic therapy equip individuals with coping strategies, problem-solving skills, and emotional regulation techniques. Therapy also addresses underlying issues, improves self-awareness, and fosters resilience.

Together, medications and therapy offer a comprehensive approach: medications can stabilize symptoms that may otherwise hinder progress, while therapy addresses the psychological, behavioral, and social aspects of mental health. When integrated thoughtfully, this combination supports long-term recovery and enhances overall well-being.

Our Services

Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation

A thorough assessment conducted by myself to understand an individual's mental health status. This evaluation typically involves a detailed clinical interview that covers the patient's medical history, psychiatric history, family history of mental illness, current symptoms, and psychosocial factors. The clinician also assesses cognitive functioning, mood, thought processes, behavior, and risk factors such as suicidal ideation or substance use.

Additional components may include standardized rating scales and, when necessary, coordination with other healthcare providers to gather relevant medical information. The goal is to arrive at an accurate diagnosis and develop an effective treatment plan tailored to the patient’s unique needs. This evaluation is essential for identifying mental health disorders, monitoring treatment progress, and ensuring appropriate interventions.

Routine Medication Management Follow-ups

A medication management appointment will be focused on the assessment, prescription, and monitoring of medications used to treat mental health conditions. During the appointment, I will evaluate the effectiveness of current medications, monitors for side effects, adjusts dosages, and makes changes to the treatment plan as necessary.

The benefits of medication management to mental health include:

  • Symptom Control: Proper medication can reduce symptoms such as anxiety, depression, mood swings, or psychosis, improving overall functioning.

  • Improved Treatment Outcomes: Regular monitoring ensures medications are working optimally and minimizes adverse effects, leading to better adherence and outcomes.

  • Personalized Care: Adjustments are tailored to individual needs, taking into account changes in health status or lifestyle.

  • Prevention of Relapse: Ongoing management helps maintain stability and prevent recurrence of mental health episodes.

  • Enhanced Quality of Life: Effective medication management supports daily functioning, relationships, and overall well-being.

Supportive Psychotherapy

Supportive psychotherapy is a focuses on reinforcing a patient's existing coping mechanisms and providing emotional support. It aims to help individuals manage symptoms of mental health conditions, improve functioning, and enhance resilience without intensive exploration of unconscious processes or deep-seated psychological conflicts.

In this approach, the therapist acts as a supportive figure, offering encouragement, validation, and practical advice. Techniques often include active listening, reassurance, guidance, and empathy. Supportive psychotherapy is commonly used in cases where patients experience acute stress, grief, or chronic mental illness requiring stabilization and reinforcement rather than insight-oriented therapy.

The goals of supportive psychotherapy include reducing distress, promoting adaptive behaviors, and maintaining psychological equilibrium. It is particularly beneficial for patients with lower psychological resources or those who may not be ready for more insight-intensive therapeutic modalities.

About Me

Dr. Lisa Sanchez is a double board-certified adult and child psychiatrist dedicated to the mental health and well-being of adults, children and adolescents. She earned her medical degree from a top-tier medical school and completed her residency in psychiatry at University of Kentucky, followed by a specialized fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry there also.

With over 15 years of clinical experience, Dr. Sanchez has developed expertise in diagnosing and treating a wide range of psychiatric disorders in young patients, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and behavioral disorders. She employs evidence-based therapies combined with a compassionate and individualized approach to care. Dr. Sanchez also provides psychiatric care for adult patients, offering comprehensive treatment tailored to the unique health needs of adults across various stages of life. Her expertise ensures that adult patients receive personalized and effective care.

At MentalHealthFirst, Dr. Sanchez, MD, PLLC, is dedicated to delivering comprehensive mental health services tailored to the unique needs of each adult, child and family. Her approach emphasizes collaboration, education, and support to empower both patients and their families throughout the treatment journey. At the heart of her practice is a commitment to providing evidence-based health information and services that empower individuals to make informed decisions. She is dedicated and passionate about advancing wellness through personalized and compassionate care.

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