Psychiatry is the medical side of mental health care: a psychiatrist evaluates you, makes a diagnosis and prescribes and manages medication. At Lotus Recovery Treatment Center, a board-certified psychiatrist leads psychiatric evaluations and medication management for mental health conditions and addiction.
What Is Psychiatry?
Psychiatry is the branch of medicine that diagnoses and treats mental health conditions and substance use disorders. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can assess your symptoms, make a diagnosis and prescribe medication.
If you are looking for a psychiatrist in Thousand Oaks, our team treats both mental health conditions and addiction. Same day appointments are available, and most insurance is accepted.
The Psychiatrist’s Role in Recovery
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who diagnoses mental health conditions and prescribes medication. In your care, that includes:
- A full psychiatric evaluation when you start
- Diagnosis, so your plan fits what you are really facing
- Prescribing or adjusting medication
- Working with your therapist so medication and therapy support each other
- Help during a crisis, with doctors on call 24/7
You meet with your psychiatrist weekly, especially if you are being treated for a mental health condition or dual diagnosis. Addiction changes brain chemistry, so ongoing psychiatric care throughout treatment helps keep your plan matched to how you are doing.
What Happens at a Psychiatric Evaluation
Your first appointment is a full psychiatric evaluation. It takes longer than a follow-up visit, because your psychiatrist needs a complete picture before making a diagnosis. Expect questions about:
- Your current symptoms, how long they have lasted and what makes them better or worse
- Past diagnoses, treatment and medications, including what helped and what did not
- Alcohol and drug use
- Medical history and current prescriptions
- Family history of mental health conditions or addiction
- Sleep, appetite, work, relationships and stress
Your psychiatrist may also use standard screening questionnaires. At the end, they explain the diagnosis and talk through treatment options with you, including whether medication makes sense.
Psychiatric Medication Management
Psychiatric medication management means checking in regularly about how a medication is working. Your provider asks about sleep, mood, side effects or cravings, then adjusts the dose or switches medication when needed. You are part of every decision.
We treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD or PTSD. For opioid or alcohol use, our medical team offers Suboxone or Vivitrol. For depression that has not responded to medication, TMS is another option.
Psychiatry and Substance Use
For substance use disorders, a psychiatrist prescribes and manages medication for both mental health symptoms and addiction, including Suboxone or Vivitrol. They also understand how substances change brain chemistry, which helps explain cravings and relapse to you and your family.
Psychiatry and Mental Health
Psychiatrists are central to treating serious mental illness such as bipolar disorder and major depression. When these conditions are not diagnosed and treated properly, symptoms can get in the way of recovery. Your psychiatrist adjusts your plan as your needs change.
Signs You May Need to See a Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist can help when symptoms are affecting daily life or when therapy alone is not enough. Common reasons people book a psychiatric appointment include:
- Depression, anxiety or mood swings that last more than two weeks or keep coming back
- Therapy has not brought enough relief
- A current medication is not working or causes side effects
- Trouble sleeping, focusing or keeping up at work or school
- Hearing or seeing things others do not, or feeling paranoid
- Using alcohol or drugs to manage your mood
If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Psychiatry vs Therapy: What Is the Difference?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who can diagnose mental health conditions, order medical tests and prescribe medication. A psychologist holds a doctoral degree and provides psychological testing and therapy, but in most states, including California, cannot prescribe. Therapists such as licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) and marriage and family therapists (LMFT) provide talk therapy.
Many people do best with both. At Lotus Recovery, your psychiatrist handles diagnosis and medication, while your therapist works with you in individual therapy and group sessions. Both are part of the same care team, so your plan stays consistent.
Meet Our Psychiatrist and Medical Director
Codie Vassar, MD, MS, is a board-certified adult psychiatrist and our Medical Director. Dr. Vassar’s experience spans outpatient psychiatry, psychiatric crisis services and addiction treatment. Dr.
Vassar earned a medical degree, completed psychiatry residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin, then earned a master’s in Clinical Informatics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A 15-year veteran of the Wisconsin Army National Guard Medical Corps, Dr. Vassar is a member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. Dr. Vassar also speaks Spanish natively.
Psychiatric Care in Every Program
Our center is at 290 Conejo Ridge Ave in Thousand Oaks. Clients come to us for psychiatry in Thousand Oaks, or for psychiatric medication management in Westlake Village and nearby towns. Psychiatric care is available in our programs, from PHP to outpatient.
Call (805) 856-6690 to schedule a psychiatric evaluation. Same day appointments are available, and most insurance is accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is psychiatric medication management?
It is ongoing care where a psychiatric provider checks how your medication is working, then adjusts it to improve results or reduce side effects.
What medications are common in psychiatry?
Common types include antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, mood stabilizers or ADHD medications. Your provider chooses based on your diagnosis.
Do I need a psychiatrist or a therapist?
Often both. A psychiatrist handles diagnosis and medication, while a therapist helps you build skills. At Lotus Recovery, they work as one team.
Is a psychiatrist available after hours?
Yes. Our doctors are on call 24/7.
How long is a psychiatric evaluation?
An initial psychiatric evaluation usually takes about 60 to 90 minutes. Follow-up medication visits are shorter.
How often will I see a psychiatrist in treatment?
Most clients in our programs meet with their psychiatrist weekly, especially those being treated for a mental health condition or dual diagnosis.