Medication Management
Psychiatric Services in Michigan | Mala Child & Family Institute | farmington hills, ann arbor, Plymouth, and online/virtual clinics
At Mala Child & Family Institute, we offer trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming medication management services for children, teens, and adults.
Our two WHYs are clear: We believe psychiatric care should be personalized, compassionate, and deeply human. And we are passionate about learning through doing — and teaching while we care. Too often, psychiatric treatment overlooks the complexity of each individual’s story. At Mala, we are committed to providing thoughtful, tailored care that respects the whole person, not just their diagnosis. Our approach is integrative and responsive, recognizing the unique medical, emotional, cultural, and developmental needs of every client we serve. Furthermore, our department is energized by the opportunity to teach through clinical work. We see supervision and collaboration as essential to excellent care. We’re proud to train and support a new generation of prescribers who are not only clinically strong, but deeply attuned to the ethics, empathy, and nuance that this work requires.
A Holistic Approach…
Our approach to medication management is holistic, recognizing that medication is just one piece of the puzzle. We emphasize the importance of a balanced lifestyle that includes:
Sleep: Quality rest is fundamental to overall health.
Movement: Regular physical activity supports mental and physical well-being.
Nutrition: Proper diet is essential for maintaining optimal health.
Play: Engaging in joyful activities boosts mood and reduces stress.
Meditation: Mindfulness practices reduce anxiety and promote emotional regulation.
Connection: Building strong relationships enhances support systems.
Therapy: Combining medication with therapeutic support leads to better outcomes.
Our care is always trauma informed, neurodiversity affirming, and culturally sensitive. This means we respect and celebrate the diversity of human brains, understand that cultural backgrounds and experiences shape health and wellness, and recognize the impact of trauma on mental health and work to avoid re-traumatization.
Compassionate Psychiatry for Kids, Teens, and Adults
Navigating mental health and medication can feel overwhelming, especially for families who’ve been dismissed or misunderstood. At Mala Child & Family Institute, we see you as more than a diagnosis. We listen, honor your story, and tailor care to your nervous system, culture, and goals.
Whether you're a parent, teen, or adult, our psychiatric team provides compassionate, personalized support. Medication is never the whole answer - it’s a tool we use thoughtfully to help you feel more resourced, regulated, and empowered.
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Whether it’s difficulty with focus, organization, impulse control, or emotional regulation, we offer thoughtful ADHD evaluations and medication support for both kids and adults—including virtual ADHD treatment anywhere in Michigan.
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From racing thoughts and intrusive worries to compulsive behaviors and panic attacks, we help clients find relief through evidence-based psychiatric care rooted in compassion and understanding—not shame or blame.
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Our trauma-informed team understands how trauma affects the nervous system, memory, mood, sleep, and physical health. We offer care that honors your body’s wisdom while gently supporting recovery at your pace.
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If you or your child is feeling persistently sad, disconnected, irritable, or unmotivated, psychiatric medication can be a helpful part of a broader healing plan. We work collaboratively with your therapist to support emotional well-being.
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When sleep, appetite, energy, or emotional regulation are affected, our psychiatric providers can help identify whether there’s an underlying mental health concern and offer medication options to bring your system back into balance.
Meet Our Team
richard dopp, MD medical director
Bardia Gholami, MD Psychiatrist
Melissa thorson, dnp, pmhnp-bc
Krishna Jakkula PMHNP-BC, APNP-BC
Kiara Porter, PMHNP-BC
Senna Flora intake coordinator
Conditions We Support with Medication
ADHD and executive functioning disorders (in children, teens, and adults)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Social Anxiety Disorder and performance-related anxiety
Panic Disorder and health-related anxiety
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), including harm obsessions
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and complex trauma
Depression, including persistent depressive disorder and situational depression
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Bipolar II Disorder and mood instability
Irritability, emotional dysregulation, and explosive behavior
Sleep-related challenges such as insomnia, racing thoughts, or disrupted circadian rhythms
Adjustment disorders related to life transitions, grief, or loss
Perinatal and postpartum mental health concerns, including anxiety, psychotic symptoms, depression, and intrusive thoughts
Sensory processing-related overwhelm and shutdowns in neurodivergent clients
Selective mutism and school refusal behaviors
Behavioral concerns linked to trauma, stress, or neurological differences
Co-occurring mental health needs in neurodivergent individuals
Emotional burnout and nervous system dysregulation related to caregiving or chronic stress
Personalized Care through
Finding the right medication can be a complex and emotional journey, especially for children navigating mental health concerns. To support this process, we offer GeneSight® pharmacogenetic testing, a tool that helps us personalize your medication plan based on how your body may respond to certain medications.
Genesight uses a cheek swab to analyze your genes and provides insights into how your body metabolizes or reacts to different psychiatric medications. While not required, it can be incredibly helpful for clients who:
Have tried multiple medications with limited success
Experienced significant side effects from past prescriptions
Want a more informed and collaborative approach to their treatment
Our providers will review the results with you and work alongside you to adjust your care plan accordingly. GeneSight testing is one more way we help ensure your care is tailored to your unique needs.
Enroll
comprehensive medication management plans, tailored just for you.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about these services, please contact us. We look forward to partnering with you on your journey to better health and well-being.
FAQ
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Mental health medication management is a service that monitors and optimizes the use of psychiatric medications to support mental health. It involves a collaborative approach between clients and medical providers to ensure that medications are effective and well-tolerated.
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Our medication management services are led by our Medical Director, Dr. Richard Dopp, and supported by our team of psychiatric nurse practitioners: Krishna Jakkula, APN, PMHNP, and Dr. Melissa Thorson, DNP, PMHNP-BC.
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Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Care Network, and Aetna. If you have another insurance provider, we can provide a statement of services for you to seek reimbursement. You can find our private pay fees HERE.
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Yes! We do not require clients to be in therapy at Mala in order to receive medication management with us. However, we may want to connect with your outside provider to collaborate in care.
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During your initial consultation, we will review your current medications. If appropriate, we can take over medication management from your previous provider and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.
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The process typically begins with an initial consultation with our Medical Director or a psychiatric nurse practitioner. After the evaluation, we’ll develop a personalized treatment plan, which includes regular follow-up appointments to monitor medication effectiveness and make adjustments as needed.
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The frequency of follow-up appointments depends on your individual treatment plan. Typically, clients meet with their provider more frequently in the beginning (every 2-4 weeks) and less frequently as the medication stabilizes (every 1-3 months).
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Yes! We offer both in-person and virtual medication management services to ensure continuity of care and flexibility for our clients.
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Your first appointment will be an initial psychiatric evaluation, which typically lasts 60-90 minutes. During this session, the provider will review your medical history, discuss your symptoms, and explore treatment options, including medication and other holistic approaches.
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Medication is often most effective when combined with other forms of treatment, such as therapy. Our providers take a holistic approach to ensure that all aspects of your well-being are considered in your treatment plan.
Our Med Management Department’s Guiding Pillars
Unconditional Positive Regard: Treat all clients, staff, and trainees with respect, empathy, and dignity, always.
First, Do No Harm: Prioritize the emotional and physical safety of clients, while also fostering a supportive and healthy environment for staff and trainees.
Collaborative Decision-Making: Engage clients in shared treatment planning, and involve staff and trainees in open, respectful dialogue around care and operations.
Support & Accountability: Provide consistent supervision and mentorship and use performance improvement plans and treatment contracts when needed to promote growth, clarify expectations, and maintain high standards of care.
Explore More of What We Offer
Healing is rarely one-dimensional. At Mala, we provide integrated services to support you, your child, and your family across multiple areas of life. Learn more about what makes our care so comprehensive:
🧠 Learn more about our Psychological Evaluations
💬 Explore our Individual and Family Therapy Services
🤝 Join one of our Group Therapy Programs
🧩 Get Support from Our Occupational Therapy Team
🏫 Advocate for Your Child with Our School Advocacy Services
🎓 Train With Us: Clinical Fellowships and Internships
🚀 Grow Your Practice With Our Business Coaching & Speaking Services