Medications, NEVER!

Psychotherapy is both art and science. It is a collaborative effort between the therapist and the client. We believe everyone needs a flexible plan to guide them towards their goals. In therapy, Dr. David Daleo helps clients clarify what their primary problems are and what specific results are desired. Subsequently, identifying specific action steps that will enable a person to reach their goals. We all want many of the same things in life: health, loving relationships, confidence, peace of mind, financial security, success, and happiness. How successful we are in reaching our goals depends upon having the necessary motivation (how bad do you want it?), the knowledge or skills to get there, and a well thought action plan. A good therapist is like a good coach on a sports team; you can expect him or her to inspire and motivate you, while giving you the necessary tools (or play book) to succeed or win. Your job as a client is to do the necessary work to implement your plan and to stay on target despite expected obstacles. The results you seek are generally possible and worthwhile, but they will not occur overnight or without sustained effort.

While many clients are able to achieve their goals without medication, research has shown that a combination of medication with reality based cognitive behavioral therapy produces the best treatment outcomes for many conditions such as Major Depression, ADHD, Panic Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, OCD, etc. Medication is at times requested by a client to ease some of the current levels of distress and discomfort while the therapy begins to work. This is not to suggest that everyone should go on medication, however, symptom relief for some disorders is usually much faster when a client is medicated during the initial phase of treatment. Once clients start to change their cognitions and behaviors, medication can always be pulled back. The goal from Reality Based Therapy is neuroplasticity and neurogenesis, or simply put positive change in the brain.

There are cases where a neurochemical imbalance is so poorly regulated by the brain that the client should go on medication for the long term. If the client refuses the medication referral, there is a high likelihood the therapy will fail and the client may blame the therapist. If your therapist recommends you speak to a psychiatrist, they are making that recommendation based on many years of training, experience and expertise. A psychiatrist may conclude no medications are recommended and not prescribe anything. It is about symptom relief and comfort during your journey.