Clarify Meds is a unique practice with an emphasis on deprescribing psychiatric medications. The treatment starts with a free consultation (to determine if the service is appropriate to meet your goals). If we decide to proceed, an initial comprehensive evaluation is conducted to learn more about you and your psychiatric/medical history. Moving forward, the services provided include medication management appointments, psychotherapy, and text/email/phone support to guide you throughout the process.

No, and it has been Dr. Vania’s goal to create a practice that cuts out insurance in order to allow for more time to really get to know her patients, provide greater accessibility, and offer psychotherapy than what would generally be available in insurance models.

However, Dr. Vania does accept insurance (Anthem and AETNA) at an outpatient psychiatry practice in Orange County (Oak Health Center) where she practices general adult psychiatry seeing patients 2 days/week, so if you would like to inquire about psychiatric services there, please call 714-706-0206. Please keep in mind that she typically has a waitlist.

Each person is unique and the timeline varies for each individual. In general, it’s best to slowly taper medications because abrupt withdrawal can cause severe withdrawal effects and discontinuation syndromes, which may take time to recover from. Some guidelines suggest discontinuing medications over the course of 2-4 weeks (which is FAST!), and if you’re able to tolerate a quick taper without withdrawal, then that is amazing! In practice, Dr. Vania has seen patients discontinue a med anywhere over the course of 2 weeks (not common) to well over a year. Also, research is lacking on how long it can take to overcome withdrawal symptoms after discontinuation, however, studies suggest it may take up to 3 months after the very last dose change.

That’s great! Dr. Vania believes in the importance of coordinating care with a patient’s therapist throughout this process. And since this service provides a combination of medication management AND psychotherapy, if you already have a therapist, Dr. Vania can tailor your sessions to provide a significant amount of psychoeducation regarding the process of weaning off medications and help you become more mindful and insightful of what’s going on with you emotionally and physically as you adjust to being on less meds.

Therefore, this service can enhance and supplement the psychotherapy you are already receiving.

Abrupt discontinuation of psychiatric medications can lead to withdrawal symptoms that may range from mild/minimal to severe. Since withdrawal symptoms range from physical symptoms (flu-like symptoms, pain, headaches, brain zaps, etc) to behavioral symptoms (worsened mood, panic attacks, suicidal ideations, mania, etc), it is important to slowly wean off medication, as tolerated.

Currently, no. Due to the Ryan Haight Act, patients needing prescriptions for controlled meds (such as benzodiazepines, stimulant medications, certain sleep aids, etc) will need to be seen at least once for an in-person office visit. Though the services provided are primarily virtual and for non-controlled medications at this time, if there is high demand, then Dr. Manipod will consider starting in-person visits in the future. If this is something you’re interested in, then please leave a message on the Contact Form, thank you.