Will medication change who I am?
This is one of the most common fears — and it's worth taking seriously. The worry usually sounds like: will I still feel like myself? Will I lose my creativity, my edge, my emotional range?
The truth is the opposite. Medication isn't designed to flatten you or change your personality. It's designed to stabilize the chemistry that depression, anxiety, or other conditions are disrupting — so that you can come back. Many people describe the experience not as "becoming someone else," but as finally feeling like themselves again.
If a medication is making you feel numb, robotic, or "not yourself," that's important information — and it usually means the medication or dose isn't right for you. The goal is to help you feel more present in your life, not less.
Do I have to take medication forever?
Short answer: not necessarily.
Some people benefit from medication for a season — through a period of acute depression, an anxiety crisis, a major life transition — and then taper off when they're stable. Others find that ongoing medication is a sustainable part of how they stay well, the same way someone with a thyroid condition or high blood pressure manages those.
There's no single right path. As Brandi puts it, "Treatment should always be individualized to the patient." That includes how long treatment lasts.
The decision to continue, adjust, or stop medication is one you make with your provider, not under pressure from your provider. The goal is always what supports your long-term well-being.
How long does it take for medication to work?
This is one of the questions people most wish they had a clear answer to — and the honest answer is: it varies, but usually longer than people expect.
Some medications start showing effects within a couple of weeks. Others can take 4–6 weeks (or longer) to reach their full effect. And finding the right medication can take even longer than that, because:
"Finding the right medication is often a process of trial and adjustment — treatment should always be individualized to the patient," Brandi explains.
If the first medication doesn't work, that doesn't mean medication isn't for you. It means your provider has gathered information that helps narrow down what will work. Adjustment is part of the process, not a sign of failure.
What about side effects? How do I know what's normal?
Side effects are real, and most are temporary. Many show up in the first 1–2 weeks of starting a medication or adjusting a dose, and ease as your body adapts. Others may persist and signal that an adjustment is needed.
The most important thing isn't avoiding side effects entirely — it's communicating openly about them.
"Open communication about side effects is essential so medications can be safely adjusted for both effectiveness and tolerability," Brandi notes.
That includes things you might not realize are worth mentioning: sleep changes, appetite shifts, mood differences, sexual side effects, energy levels, even small physical sensations. All of it is useful information. You don't have to push through discomfort or wait until your next appointment to bring something up.
Can I do therapy and medication at the same time? Should I?
Yes — and for many people, that combination produces the best results.
"Psychiatric medication is most effective when combined with therapy and lifestyle changes, rather than used in isolation," Brandi shares.
Here's how the pieces work together: therapy works on the patterns. Lifestyle supports the foundation. Medication helps stabilize the chemistry. Together, they create the conditions for real change.
This is part of why Unity Counseling has both therapists and a psychiatric provider working under the same roof. Your treatment doesn't happen in silos — the people supporting you can coordinate care, share notes (with your permission), and adjust the plan as needed.
What does medication management actually look like at Unity?
For most people, medication management starts with an intake call to understand what's going on and explore whether medication might help. From there, it typically involves:
An initial appointment to discuss your history, symptoms, and goals
A starting medication (or adjustment, if you're already on one)
Regular follow-up appointments to check in on how it's working
Open communication between visits if anything changes
"Regular follow-up is key to ensuring medications remain effective as symptoms and life circumstances evolve," Brandi explains. A medication that worked in one season of life may need adjusting in another — life transitions, hormonal shifts, sleep changes, even seasonal patterns can affect how it's working.
What about cost and insurance?
For many people, the question isn't only "is medication right for me?" — it's also "can I afford to find out?"
Medication management at Unity Counseling is offered through the same intake process as therapy, and our team can talk you through insurance coverage, costs, and what to expect financially before you commit to anything. You don't have to figure that piece out alone before reaching out.
What's the goal of medication management?
This is where Brandi gets most direct: it's not just about reducing symptoms.
"The goal of medication management is not just symptom reduction, but improving overall functioning and quality of life," she shares.
That might look like:
Having more energy
Feeling more present in relationships
Managing day-to-day stress more easily
Being able to engage with the things that matter to you
Feeling less weighed down by what used to feel impossible
Medication isn't about making you a different person. It's about making space for you to come back.
How do I get started?
If you're curious about whether medication could be part of your care, you don't have to have it all figured out before reaching out. Most people don't.
Schedule a call with our team to talk through whether medication management makes sense for you. We'll walk you through what the process looks like, answer questions about cost and insurance, and help you decide what feels right.
As Brandi puts it, "Treatment should always be individualized — and that starts with listening to you." Brandi is currently accepting new clients.