Medication Management and Support
Personalized Psychiatric Medication Plans and Designed for You in the Philadelphia Area
Managing mental health effectively often takes more than one solution—it’s about combining the right tools, from therapy and lifestyle changes to carefully chosen prescriptions. Since no two people respond to medication the same way, finding the right fit matters. That’s where medication management at the Philadelphia area’s Buckingham Psychiatry makes a difference.
Dr. Jacob D. Buinewicz and Dr. Vihasa Govada take a personalized, precise approach to medication management—considering your symptoms, history, and goals to guide every decision. At Buckingham Psychiatry, our focus is on maximizing the benefits of your prescriptions while minimizing side effects for better long-term outcomes.
What Does Medication Management Really Mean for Your Mental Health?
Many of our patients ask, “What is the medication management process?” When it comes to psychiatric care, medication management, also known as medication therapy management (MTM) is more than just taking a daily pill. Medication management is an ongoing, thoughtful process that helps ensure your medications are working with you—not against you.
At Buckingham Psychiatry, medication management means personalized, attentive support from experienced professionals who understand that your mental health is constantly evolving. Dr. Buinewicz and Dr. Govada work closely with patients to monitor, adjust, and optimize every aspect of their medication management plans. Whether you’re just starting medication or have been managing prescriptions for years, the goal is the same: safe, effective treatment tailored to your life.
Effective medication management begins with understanding your full health picture. That includes your diagnosis, past treatment responses, physical health conditions, lifestyle, and even your goals for care. From there, our team creates a plan that fits—not just clinically, but practically. Are side effects interfering with your day-to-day routine? Are you unsure if a medication is still helping? Are you worried about how medications may interact? We’re here to talk through medication management, answer your questions, and make any necessary adjustments together.
But great medication management doesn’t stop at the prescription pad. It includes regular check-ins to track your progress, stay ahead of potential issues, and make sure your medications are still aligned with your changing needs. It also means educating you along the way—so you feel empowered, not overwhelmed.
At Buckingham Psychiatry, medication management is never one-size-fits-all. We believe your treatment should reflect your unique needs, preferences, and progress over time. It’s this patient-centered, collaborative approach that helps our patients find greater stability, clarity, and confidence in their care.
Navigating the Complexities of Medication Management
Medication management can involve various types of medications, each with unique properties, potential side effects, and interactions. Understanding these complexities is integral to delivering effective, safe treatment.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are often prescribed in medication management for disorders like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. They can also be used off-label to treat other conditions. These medications can help alleviate symptoms by balancing brain chemistry but require careful monitoring to manage potential side effects and interactions with other medications.
Mood Stabilizers
Mood stabilizers can play a crucial role in medication management for alleviating symptoms of bipolar disorder and similar conditions. They work to maintain emotional balance, reducing both manic and depressive episodes. Regular monitoring is essential to ensure therapeutic efficacy and avoid potential side effects.
Antipsychotics
Antipsychotic medications may be prescribed for conditions like schizophrenia or severe forms of bipolar disorder. They can also be used off-label to treat other conditions. Though highly effective, these medications require diligent monitoring through medication management due to potential side effects and interactions with other medications.
Stimulants
Stimulants or neurostimulants like Adderall or Vyvanse are often used in the treatment of ADHD and similar conditions. These medications help improve focus and decrease impulsivity but require careful dosing and monitoring to ensure efficacy and manage potential side effects.
Meet Dr. Buinewicz
Trained in the combined use of psychotherapy and medication, he offers evidence based treatment for a variety of psychiatric disorders. He has specific expertise in mood and bipolar disorders, ADHD, anxiety disorders, OCD, and PTSD. He also offers care for common sources of stress including life transitions, decreased productivity at work, relationship issues, and grief.
Dr. Buinewicz believes all treatment should begin with a patient-centered comprehensive and holistic evaluation. Patients are involved in creating a treatment plan that may include medications, therapy, or a combination of both. He believes that therapy is often a critical component of care as evidence shows that it provides benefit over medication alone. His therapeutic approach is tailored to the individual patient and contains elements of psychodynamic psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Mood and Bipolar Disorders
Find Emotional Clarity and Stability with Therapy in the Philadelphia Area
It’s perfectly normal to experience some fleeting mood shifts or changes from time to time as part of the human experience. They may be brought on by factors such as hormones, poor sleep, stress, good or bad news, anxiety, or other factors. Mood swings may be considered normal if they aren’t negatively impacting your life or the lives of those around you. However, moods that persist or that prompt overwhelmingly intense feelings or reactions may sometimes be signs of mood or bipolar disorders. Philadelphia-area patients concerned about mood and bipolar disorders—including what is sometimes referred to as “manic depressive bipolar disorder” or “manic depression”—should know that they are very common but can dramatically and negatively impact the quality of one’s professional and private life. Double board-certified general and addiction psychiatrist Dr. Jacob Buinewicz provides support and treatment for patients who have mood and bipolar disorders.
What Are Mood and Bipolar Disorders?
What counts as a mood or bipolar disorder? What does a mood or bipolar disorder feel like? If you have been experiencing strong emotions or sudden and dramatic changes in mood, here’s what you should know about how mood and bipolar disorders are defined.
Mood is a temporary state of mind, often described as how someone “feels” for a specific period. A person’s mood in a particular moment may fall anywhere on a spectrum that ranges from low (depression) to high (euphoria), and it will fluctuate over time. Changing moods represent a common human experience, and all related feelings and emotions should be considered valid. However, the intensity of the mood and the length of time a particular mood lasts are also factors to consider.
Buckingham Psychiatry offers a full range of psychiatric services to help patients with mood or bipolar disorders improve their mental health and overall quality of life. Through a holistic and comprehensive approach, personalized care for mood and bipolar disorders is tailored to each patient’s unique needs.
What Causes Mood and Bipolar Disorders?
You may be wondering, “What triggers mood or bipolar disorders?” or “Who is most likely to develop mood disorders?” Another common question that patients ask is, “Are mood and bipolar disorders genetic?”
Mood and bipolar disorders can start at any age. Researchers believe that there may be a combination of biological factors, genetic factors, and environmental factors involved.
Mood and bipolar disorders can often be linked to traits that have been passed down to you, along with certain environmental factors and stressful life events, or even some prescription medications. Sometimes people who have mood disorders may also have neurological disorders – conditions of the brain and nervous system. It is also likely for mood and bipolar disorders to be caused by an imbalance in brain chemicals.
The exact causes of certain types of mood and bipolar disorders are not fully understood, but it is believed that people with bipolar disorder may have physical changes in their brains and there may be a genetic component as well. Bipolar disorder may occur more frequently in people who have a first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling, who has this condition, or those who are going through periods of stress or have experienced traumatic events. Drug or alcohol misuse is another risk factor associated with bipolar disorder.
Dr. Jacob D. Buinewicz can help by providing answers to questions about mood and bipolar disorders, “manic depression,” and more, as well as offering diagnosis and treatment carefully designed to help bring more balance to his patients’ lives.
What Are the Symptoms of Mood and Bipolar Disorders?
Each type of mood or bipolar disorder is characterized by its own unique symptoms and/or patterns of symptoms, but in most cases, patients with a mood disorder may experience symptoms that have an impact on their mood, sleep, eating behaviours, energy level, and thinking abilities. The main symptom of bipolar disorder is extreme changes in your mood.
Mood and Bipolar Disorder Basics: What Are Some Specific Types of Mood Disorders?
Mood disorders encompass two main categories: depressive disorders and bipolar disorders. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), these disorders have a broader reach than many people may realize. In fact, it is estimated that nearly 20 percent of adults in the United States encounter a mood disorder at least once in their lifetime.
Bipolar disorder has been known by many names over the years. Once called “cycling mood disorder,” it evolved to be referred to as “manic depression” or “manic depressive illness.” Though it is known as “bipolar disorder” today, many people still say “manic depression.” You may also hear reference to a “mixed-state episode.”
Bipolar Disorder 1 +
Bipolar Disorder 2 +
Persistent Depressive Disorder +
Major Depressive Disorder +
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens at a Medication Management Appointment? +
Detailed Assessment +
Personalized Plans +
Regular Monitoring +
Collaboration with Pharmacy +
Education and Support +
How Do You Prepare for a Medication Management Appointment? +
The more detail you can share, the better we can tailor your medication management. It’s also helpful to bring a full list of everything you’re currently taking—including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, supplements, and vitamins. Medication management is not just about one pill; it’s about understanding the full picture and preventing potential interactions that could interfere with your progress.
Finally, come prepared with questions. A big part of effective medication management is education. Whether you’re wondering about dosage changes, long-term side effects, or how to know if a medication is truly working, your appointment is the perfect time to ask. At Buckingham Psychiatry, Dr. Buinewicz and Dr. Govada are here to support you with clear answers and actionable guidance.
Remember, medication management is a collaborative process. You don’t need to have all the answers—just a willingness to talk openly, share what you’re experiencing, and work together to find the best path forward.
How Often Should I See a Psychiatrist for Medication Management? +
As your symptoms stabilize and the effects of your medication become more predictable, medication management appointments may be spaced out to every one to three months. These follow-ups allow your psychiatrist to track ongoing progress, catch any emerging side effects early, and ensure your medications are still aligned with your evolving mental health needs.
Medication is not a “set-it-and-forget-it” solution—your body and brain can change over time, and your treatment should adapt accordingly. At Buckingham Psychiatry, Dr. Jacob D. Buinewicz and Dr. Vihasa Govada work collaboratively with each patient to create a medication management schedule that supports both consistency and flexibility. Whether you’re new to psychiatric treatment or managing long-term conditions, regular check-ins ensure your care stays responsive, effective, and truly personalized.
Why Medication Management Matters
When it comes to mental health care, medication management isn’t just about writing prescriptions—it’s about getting it right, together. Effective support means understanding how each medication works for you, checking in regularly, adjusting as needed, and keeping your full treatment plan in sync. At Buckingham Psychiatry, medication management and support is a collaborative process designed to help you feel your best, with personalized care every step of the way.
Your Path to Better Mental Health: Medication Management and Support That Works for You
If you’re looking for personalized care that truly meets you where you are, Buckingham Psychiatry is here to help. We offer comprehensive medication management and support designed to help you feel more balanced, more in control, and more understood. Whether you’re navigating new prescriptions or adjusting a long-standing regimen, we provide expert guidance every step of the way.
In addition to medication management, we also offer a full range of psychiatric services such as individualized psychotherapy—available both in person and via telehealth—for patients across Pennsylvania. Our care extends to thoughtful deprescribing support when it’s time to reduce or discontinue certain medications safely.
No matter where you are in your mental health journey, Buckingham Psychiatry provides the tools, expertise, and compassionate attention you need—all in one trusted setting.
Looking for compassionate medication management support for Bucks County, Newtown, Allentown, Bethlehem, Cherry Hill, Princeton, and surrounding areas throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey? Dr. Jacob D. Buinewicz and Dr. Vihasa Govada at Buckingham Psychiatry offer customized care to help you or your loved one feel more stable, supported, and understood. We help guide patients toward better mental health with tailored treatment plans that truly fit.
Have questions or ready to get started? Call 484.466.5560 or connect with us online to book your consultation.