Neuropsychiatric Group Treatment
Why groups?
While individual psychotherapy and a separate prescriber (psychiatrist or PCP) is a vital treatment for psychiatric symptoms, our current model of medical care has become problematic. The once stereotyped 50 minute session with a prescriber, where they performed psychotherapy and medication management together, has become a 10 minute medication check where you answer all the questions on forms and are allowed one or two questions before the psychiatrist quickly adds a medication and ends the visit. When paired with a very good psychotherapist who sees you weekly and monitors the actual effects of medications, this may be sufficient for many, but more and more patients feel steamrolled by the medical system, using their twice monthly therapy sessions as a time to vent about how their psychiatrist doesn’t listen to them.
Let me make it clear, I do not blame most psychiatrists for this model, and have met many who try their hardest to make visits longer, but this is often at the cost of frequency and accessibility choosing to see you for an hour every 3-6 months rather than a 15 minute visit every other week. Neither truly allows them to thoroughly answer questions about the nature of the problem, help you strategize on the best options for both medical and behavioral treatments, and journey with you on your path to recovery. The problem was created by insurance companies and lack of access for patients but there is a solution that is covered by most insurances. Another model that has as much history as the traditional psychiatric encounter has recently been revitalized, namely Shared Medical Appointments (SMAs). These have been featured at institutions like the Cleveland Clinic, Boston Medical, and the VA.
In all actuality, shared medical appointments never went away, but they became relegated to substance use disorder treatment programs, inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations, and Intensive Outpatient Treatment programs. However, over the past 20 years, the literature has shown that they can be successfully utilized to treat many chronic medical conditions including Diabetes, Chronic Pain, and even complex neuroinflammatory conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis.
The SMA model is quite simple, and the experience is very similar to a combination of group psychotherapy, support group meetings, and direct patient care and teaching by a trained professional. Before starting a group, we have you meet with Dr. Claunch for an initial one hour appointment to learn about your history, medical treatments, and other needs. Additional virtual sessions (15-60 minutes) can then be scheduled as needed. If you and Dr. Claunch both agree that a Medical Group would be appropriate, you will either be added to an existing/rotating group or a new group with 8-11 other patients with a compatible background. There may be a wait time until an appropriate group is available. Until a group is available most patients can continue with their current/previous providers. During weekly or twice monthly groups, each session lasting between 60-90 minutes, you will be able to learn about your complex medical condition, all of the scientifically validated treatment options, and most importantly you can meet other patients who have a similar journey. This allows patients to better plan their recovery by learning from others’ strategies and pitfalls. Depending on the condition you suffer from, these groups may include other providers such as psychotherapists, physical and occupational therapists, nutritionists, and others.
While medications are not vital for every person with every problem, Dr. Claunch will be able to monitor you as he helps you to make medication adjustments to find a regimen that is right for you. We are currently assembling Groups for the following conditions: Chronic Pain, Multiple Sclerosis, Long-COVID, and patients with Unexplained Medical Symptoms (where you don’t quite meet criteria for a neurologic or rheumatologic syndrome but you are suffering from symptoms that have well established treatments).
If you’re interested in our approach, please fill out the form to request an appointment today.
