Charlie Health’s Psychiatry Services Improve Client Outcomes—Here’s How

Learn how psychiatric services complement intensive therapy and improve the overall well-being of clients at Charlie Health.

Learn more about our Clinical Review Process

Psychiatry and medication play crucial roles in the healing process for many people seeking mental health treatment. While therapy is often the foundation of care, psychiatric medications can provide invaluable support for those struggling with various mental health conditions. 

The psychiatry services at Charlie Health are no exception. Our expert Psychiatric Team, comprised of doctors and psychiatric nurse practitioners, provides clients with psychiatric care to complement their intensive therapy treatment. The outcomes speak for themselves: clients who utilize these services tend to experience highly promising outcomes. Below, we delve into the data on the importance of psychiatric care and how it benefits Charlie Health clients. 

The benefits of psychiatric care and therapy

Research has consistently shown that combining medication with psychotherapy when warranted, is effective for treating conditions like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. For instance, studies indicate that a combination of antidepressants and psychological interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), is particularly beneficial for severe depression. This combined approach can address different aspects of depression, with medication alleviating neurological symptoms and therapy tackling cognitive and emotional issues​. 

More generally speaking, comparative efficacy trials highlight that the combined use of medication and psychotherapy tends to be effective across various diagnoses. The two treatments (therapy and medication) work synergistically, meaning they work together in a way that enhances the effectiveness of each other. Medication addresses biological factors, and therapy offers psychosocial support, thus enhancing overall treatment outcomes.  

Given that psychiatric medications often help alleviate symptoms, using medications while undergoing treatment can allow clients to engage more fully in therapy and daily activities. For example, individuals with severe anxiety may find it challenging to participate in therapy without the initial support of anti-anxiety medications. By combining medication with their therapy, clients often experience more rapid and sustained improvement in their mental health.

Charlie Health’s psychiatric services

Psychiatry services at Charlie Health play a crucial role in providing clients with the psychiatric care they need to support their treatment journey. Our team of psychiatrists aims to not only provide clients with the medications they need, but also to educate about medications, monitor side effects, reduce stigma, and minimize polypharmacy (the use of multiple medications, which is often unnecessary). 

Clients who utilize our psychiatry services while undergoing treatment at Charlie Health, on average, experience a tremendous reduction in symptoms from intake to discharge. Let’s take a look at treatment outcomes for such clients. 

Charlie Health data: Psychiatric services improve client outcomes

As part of Charlie Health’s commitment to evidence-based quality improvement, data is collected from clients at intake and discharge. Between June 2021 and October 2023, data was collected from 3,048 clients who utilized our psychiatry services while undergoing treatment at Charlie Health. (Only clients who submitted intake and discharge surveys and those who attended two or more psychiatry appointments while at Charlie Health were included in this analysis.)

Between intake and discharge, clients who utilized psychiatry services at Charlie Health reported highly significant decreases in depression and anxiety. As measured by the PHQ9, a standardized depression screener, these clients experienced a 48% reduction in depression symptoms, clinically representing a shift from the “moderately severe depression” category to the “mild depression” category. As measured by the GAD7, a standardized anxiety screener, these clients experienced a 47% reduction in anxiety symptoms, clinically representing a shift from the “moderate anxiety” category to the “mild anxiety” category.

Clients who utilized our psychiatry services also experienced a significant increase in their overall psychological well-being over the course of treatment, as measured by the WHO5 scale, which measures overall well-being. On average, clients who utilized these services went from clinically “poor well-being (WHO5 score < 50) at intake to no longer being under this threshold by discharge. 

Also, clients who utilized our psychiatry services successfully completed treatment at a rate of 80.2%, which is higher than other treatment completion rates seen in the industry (60-70%, on average).

Psychiatric and therapeutic services: Our findings

As evidenced by this data, clients at Charlie Health who receive combined psychiatric and therapeutic treatment often report significant improvements in their mental health.  This integrated approach not only helps reduce symptoms but also enhances the overall treatment experience, leading to higher treatment completion rates.

Incorporating psychiatric care and medication into mental health treatment is essential for addressing the complex needs of individuals with various mental health conditions. At Charlie Health, the combination of psychiatry services and multiple types of therapy (group therapy, family therapy, and individual therapy) offers a robust framework for effective and comprehensive mental health care. This integrated approach ensures that clients receive the personalized support they need to navigate their mental health journey successfully.

How Charlie Health can help

If you or a loved one is dealing with serious mental health challenges, Charlie Health is here to help. Charlie Health’s virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides more than once-weekly mental health treatment for young people and families. Our expert clinicians incorporate evidence-based therapies into individual counseling, family therapy, and group sessions. We also offer psychiatric services as needed. With this kind of holistic treatment, managing serious mental health issues is possible. Fill out the form below or give us a call to start healing today.