Treating the Whole Person — Beyond Diagnosis Toward Balance and Health
Labels may help organize care, but they rarely capture the full story. At its best, mental health treatment is not about “fixing a diagnosis,” but helping people restore balance — in relationships, purpose, and physiology. As a prescribing psychologist, I see medication not as a cure, but as one tool among many in fostering wellness.
The Pillars of Health
Our work begins by exploring how the following interconnected domains shape mental health:
Relationships and Community: Human connection as the foundation of emotional regulation.
Meaningful Work and Play: Purpose and creativity sustain motivation and self-worth.
Nutrition: The brain depends on consistent fuel and micronutrients.
Sleep: Restoration and cognitive function hinge on healthy sleep patterns.
Movement: Exercise is a proven antidepressant and anxiolytic. Further, research is continually showing the wide-ranging benefits for mental health across conditions.
Integrating Mind and Body
As a prescribing psychologist I recognize the importance of both psychology and physiology and I approach each patient as an integrated system. That means looking at:
How chronic stress changes neurotransmitters
How trauma affects immune and hormonal systems/inflammation
How medication, if used, fits into a broader recovery plan
Personalized, Not Pathologized
Each treatment plan is individualized. Medication may help ease symptoms, but growth depends equally on insight, skill-building, and lifestyle adjustments. In this framework, prescribing becomes one aspect of a much richer healing process.
Closing Thought:
When we treat the whole person — not just the diagnostic code — we open the door to lasting well-being, not just temporary relief. At Neuropsychological Services of New Mexico, we are excited to provide this unique perspective as we work with you on your care.
A Prescribing Psychologist’s Approach to Depression and Anxiety
Depression and anxiety are among the most common and most treatable mental health conditions. Yet effective treatment rarely comes from medication alone. Prescribing psychologists bring a distinctive approach — one that combines psychological insight, evidence-based psychotherapy, and thoughtful medication use when needed/appropriate.
Seeing the Roots, Not Just the Symptoms
Depression and anxiety are signals, not just disorders. In my practice I want to look for the underlying contributors:
Biological (genetics, hormones, sleep, diet)
Psychological (thinking patterns, trauma, self-concept)
Social (relationships, community, purpose)
Medication as a Bridge, Not a Destination
When I prescribe, my goal is to create space for healing, not to medicate indefinitely. In that regard, my strategy is to use the fewest number of medications possible at the lowest effective dose, I emphasize patient education so that you can make informed decisions about your care, and I continuously monitor outcomes and side effects. Treatment always occurs within the context of targeted, psychotherapy and behavioral change.
Collaboration and Continuity
Because prescribing psychologists in New Mexico coordinate with primary care, patients benefit from integrated tracking of lab results, side effects, and progress. This unified approach ensures that the psychological and medical aspects of recovery move together — not in isolation.
Closing Thought:
Healing from depression and anxiety requires courage, curiosity, and connection. A prescribing psychologist helps patients move from symptom relief to genuine transformation — mind and body in concert.