Who is the psychiatrist, and how can I access an appointment?
How much does it cost to meet with the psychiatrist?
What are the pros and cons of medication as compared to counseling?
What about possible side effects, or the risk of addiction to medication?
Who is the psychiatrist, and how can I access an appointment?
Dr. Rich Levine is a board-certified physician in both psychiatry and family medicine. You must have a referral from a C&HS provider (counseling or health) to access psychiatry services.
How much does it cost to meet with the psychiatrist?
For Hamline undergraduate and day program law students, there is no charge to meet with the psychiatrist. For cost information, graduate and weekend program law students should refer to Health Clinic Fees.
What are the pros and cons of medication as compared to counseling?
Medication and counseling can be complementary forms of treatment. Depending on the nature of your concern, medication generally produces more immediate results than counseling. The symptom relief offered by medication often helps make life seem more manageable. However, taking medication does not address the root causes of many psychological concerns. Counseling can be beneficial for addressing these underlying factors, and for helping individuals to develop coping skills for the long-term.
What about possible side effects, or the risk of addiction to medication?
Although their effectiveness and safety is well-established through clinical trials, virtually every prescription medication has some side effects. To help you make an informed decision, if Dr. Levine recommends a medication for you, he will explain the potential side effects. As for addiction potential, the majority of medications prescribed by psychiatrists are not habit-forming drugs. However, if this is a concern for you (and/or you have a history of chemical dependency), it is a good idea to discuss this with Dr. Levine.