31 Panoramic Way, STE 202, Walnut Creek, CA 94595 &
21 Tamal Vista Blvd, Ste 203, Corte Madera, CA 94925
Psychiatric Medication Management in Walnut Creek, CA
Medication can be one part of a broader mental health treatment plan.
Psychiatric medication management helps determine whether medication may be appropriate, provides education about available options, and monitors how treatment is affecting symptoms, functioning, and overall wellbeing.
AgapeHealth Psychological Services offers medication management for clients age 7 and older through Catherine Herbert, PMHNP, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Care is collaborative and individualized. Medication is not automatically prescribed simply because someone schedules an appointment.
Recommendations are based on the clinical evaluation, health history, current symptoms, previous treatment, individual goals, and the provider’s professional judgment.
What Is Psychiatric Medication Management?
Medication management is an ongoing clinical service rather than a single prescription appointment.
Depending on the client’s needs, the process may involve:
Reviewing current symptoms and concerns
Discussing mental and physical health history
Reviewing current and previous medications
Discussing previous responses or side effects
Considering whether medication may be appropriate
Explaining potential benefits, limitations, and risks
Answering questions about treatment options
Monitoring response to medication
Discussing side effects or new concerns
Adjusting treatment when clinically appropriate
Coordinating with therapists or other providers with permission
The purpose is to support safe and informed treatment decisions and determine whether medication continues to align with the client’s needs.
Who Is Medication Management Available For?
AgapeHealth provides medication management for clients age 7 and older.
Catherine Herbert, PMHNP, has experience working with:
Children
Adolescents
Adults
Older adults
She works with clients experiencing complex or overlapping concerns involving anxiety, mood, trauma, ADHD, autism, focus, overwhelm, and daily functioning.
Age eligibility does not guarantee that medication management will be appropriate for every person.
Cathy will evaluate the client’s circumstances and determine whether the service is clinically appropriate and whether AgapeHealth is the right setting for care.
Your Initial Medication Appointment
The first appointment generally focuses on developing a clear understanding of the client’s history, current concerns, and treatment goals.
The provider may ask about:
Current symptoms
When the symptoms began
Previous diagnoses
Psychological or neurodevelopmental evaluations
Current and past medications
Previous medication responses
Side effects
Medical conditions
Sleep
Stress
Daily functioning
School or work functioning
Other mental health treatment
Family history
Treatment goals and questions
Clients should bring an accurate list of medications, supplements, prescribing providers, allergies, and relevant medical information to the appointment.
Follow-Up Medication Appointments
Follow-up appointments allow the provider to assess how treatment is progressing.
The provider may discuss:
Changes in symptoms
Improvements or difficulties
Side effects
Medication adherence
Changes in sleep, appetite, energy, or concentration
School, work, or daily functioning
New medical or mental health information
Whether the current plan should continue
Whether an adjustment should be considered
The timing of follow-up appointments depends on the medication, the client’s response, clinical needs, and the provider’s recommendation.
Medication Management and Psychotherapy
Medication and psychotherapy serve different purposes, but they may be used together.
Medication may help address certain symptoms, while psychotherapy can help a person:
Understand difficult experiences
Develop coping strategies
Address behavioral or relational patterns
Strengthen emotional regulation
Improve communication
Work toward longer-term goals
AgapeHealth’s integration of therapy, assessment, and medication management can support communication between clinicians when the client or guardian provides appropriate permission.
A client may also receive medication management while working with a therapist outside AgapeHealth.
Using Psychological Assessment to Clarify Treatment
Symptoms related to attention, mood, trauma, learning, sleep, stress, autism, and other neurodevelopmental concerns can sometimes overlap.
A psychological assessment may provide additional diagnostic information that helps guide treatment planning.
An evaluation is not required for every medication management client. It may be recommended when further clarification would be useful.
Meet Catherine Herbert, PMHNP
Catherine Herbert, PMHNP is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner serving patients in California. AgapeHealth works in close collaboration with Catherine Herbert to coordinate medication management care based on each client’s individual needs.
She earned her nursing degree from the University of California, San Francisco and has experience in outpatient, inpatient, and emergency psychiatric settings.
Cathy works with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults.
Her approach emphasizes:
✔ Thoughtful evaluation
✔ Clear communication
✔ Discussion of medication options and tradeoffs
✔ Practical support for daily functioning
✔ Collaboration with therapists and psychologists
✔ Understanding the client’s complete clinical picture
In-Person and Telehealth
Medication Management
Walnut Creek Main Office
31 Panoramic Way, Suite 202
Walnut Creek, CA 94595
Catherine Herbert provides in-person services through AgapeHealth’s Walnut Creek office.
Telehealth Medication Management
Cathy also offers telehealth appointments.
Telehealth availability depends on the client’s location, clinical needs, appointment type, scheduling, and applicable professional requirements.
Medication management should not be presented as an in-person Corte Madera service unless AgapeHealth later confirms that Catherine is providing appointments through that location.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medication Management
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Ask About Medication Management
Call 669-295-8226 or contact AgapeHealth Psychological Services to ask about availability with Catherine Herbert, PMHNP.
Medication management appointments are not emergency services. A person experiencing an immediate medical or psychiatric emergency should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.