Medication Management

Psychiatric Services in Michigan | Mala Child & Family Institute | farmington hills, ann arbor, Plymouth, and online/virtual clinics

Services for All Ages

At Mala Child & Family Institute, we offer trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming medication management services for children, teens, and adults. Our psychiatric care is grounded in compassion, collaboration, and a deep respect for each person’s unique story—never a one-size-fits-all approach.

Convenient and Accessible Care

We are pleased to offer our medication management services both virtually and in-person. Our physical locations in Farmington Hills, Plymouth, and Ann Arbor are designed to be welcoming and comfortable, while our virtual services ensure that you can receive care from the convenience of your own home. We also offer GeneSight testing to help personalize medication choices based on your genetic profile. Intake appointments are currently available within 7 days of completing the enrollment form.

Medication management and Psychiatry in Farmington Hills, Ann Arbor, and Plymouth Michigan - photo of a psychiatrist taking patient notes

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 Psychiatric 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 

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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. 

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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).

  • Yes! We offer both in-person and virtual medication management services to ensure continuity of care and flexibility for our clients.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Explore More of What We Offer