Medication management is different from therapy — and knowing that upfront makes the experience much less surprising.

Your first appointment is typically at least 60 minutes. It’s a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a medically trained provider — in this case, a certified psychiatric nurse practitioner. Lori will gather a thorough history that includes:

• History of your illness and current symptoms
• Past treatments and medications you’ve tried
• Family psychiatric and medical history
• Psychosocial history and any substance use history
• Current medical conditions and overall physical health

That first interview moves quickly because there’s a lot of ground to cover. But the goal is clear: understand who you are, where you’re at, and whether medication is even appropriate for you.

By the end of the first visit, a treatment plan is typically developed. It may include medication recommendations, lab work, referrals to other medical specialists, therapy recommendations, sleep studies, vitamin supplements, and lifestyle guidance — sometimes all of the above.

Follow-up appointments are shorter (usually 15–30 minutes) and spaced based on your individual needs. If you’re starting a new medication, Lori typically follows up within 3–4 weeks to monitor tolerance and side effects. As things stabilize, appointments spread out.

“I joke with patients: this is my impression after knowing you for 36 minutes. We’re not treating a diagnosis — we’re treating the symptoms. And this is just one component of a larger treatment plan.” – Lori Ball

Getting started is straightforward. Because medication management is different from standard therapy appointments, there’s a brief intake and screening process to make sure we can best serve your needs.

Here’s how it works:

• Complete our intake form online or by phone.
• Our intake team reviews your information and screens for appropriateness.
• You’ll be contacted to schedule your intake appointment with Lori Ball.
• Your first appointment (60 minutes) takes place at one of our Virginia locations or via telehealth.

Unlike standard therapy bookings, medication management appointments are coordinated through our intake team rather than self-scheduled online. This ensures you get the right level of care from the start.

No — and in Virginia, that’s by design.

Therapists, psychologists, and licensed counselors in Virginia do not have prescriptive authority. Prescriptions for psychiatric medications must come from a medical doctor (psychiatrist), a nurse practitioner, or a physician assistant with the appropriate training and certifications.

Lori Ball is a dually certified Advance Practice Nurse and Nurse Practitioner — which means she holds both the clinical and prescriptive credentials to evaluate, prescribe, and manage psychiatric medications.

Your therapist can absolutely refer you to medication management if they believe it could help. Many of our clients see both a therapist and Lori, which is often the most effective approach.

Note for New York clients: Prescriptive regulations vary by state. New York follows its own guidelines for nurse practitioners. Lori sees Virginia-based clients; for NY locations, check with that office.

Medication becomes worth considering when your symptoms begin to meaningfully interfere with your ability to function — personally, socially, academically, or at work.

Lori recommends considering medication as part of a broader treatment plan when:

• Symptoms are severe enough to impair daily life (e.g., severe depression, debilitating anxiety, psychosis)
• Non-medication treatments like therapy or lifestyle changes haven’t been effective on their own
• There’s a risk of harm to yourself or others, and medication may help stabilize mood and reduce that risk
• Acute episodes require stabilization, such as a manic episode in bipolar disorder or severe panic attacks
• A chronic condition like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder requires long-term management to prevent relapse

Importantly, how you feel about medication matters just as much as the clinical picture. If you’re skeptical or nervous about side effects, that’s part of the conversation — not a reason to skip the appointment.

“How the patient feels about medication is super important to me. Their opinion, their perspective — it really matters.”
— Lori Ball, PMH-CNS, FNP

Most insurance plans include a behavioral health benefit that covers medication management services — but coverage details vary significantly by plan and provider.

A few things to know:

• Not all medications are covered by all insurance plans. Each insurer maintains a “formulary” — a list of preferred or approved medications. If a prescribed medication isn’t on your plan’s formulary, it may require prior authorization.
• Some plans — including certain faith-based sharing plans — may not include mental health benefits at all. In those cases, self-pay options are available.
• Pre-authorization is sometimes required before starting services. Always verify with your insurance company before your first appointment.

Our intake team can help you navigate insurance questions before your first visit. We want to remove as many barriers as possible to getting you the care you need.