Mental health treatment is not one-size-fits-all. For some people, therapy provides the support and tools they need. For others, medication may be an important part of treatment. And for many people, therapy and psychiatric medication management work well together as part of an individualized treatment plan.
At Integrative Health Services, we are excited to welcome Emily Trentacoste-Martin, CRNP, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, who will provide psychiatric evaluations and medication management for children, adolescents, and adults.
Emily has an anticipated start date of September 9, 2026 and will provide services through telehealth throughout Alabama as well as in-person appointments at our Pelham and Gardendale locations, serving clients throughout Shelby County and Jefferson County.
When Is Medication Management Helpful Alongside Therapy?
Many people wonder whether they need therapy, medication, or both. There is no single answer because mental health treatment should be based on each person’s symptoms, history, goals, and needs.
Medication management may be worth discussing when:
- Anxiety, depression, mood symptoms, ADHD, panic, intrusive thoughts, or other symptoms interfere with daily functioning.
- You are participating in therapy but continue experiencing significant symptoms.
- Your therapist recommends talking with a psychiatric provider.
- Medication has helped you in the past and symptoms have returned.
- Your symptoms are complex or difficult to manage.
- You want a professional psychiatric evaluation to better understand your treatment options.
A psychiatric evaluation does not automatically mean medication will be prescribed. It gives you an opportunity to discuss your symptoms, medical and mental health history, previous treatment, medications, concerns, and goals before determining an appropriate plan.
How Therapy in Alabama and Medication Management Work Together
Therapy and medication management serve different but complementary purposes.
Therapy in Alabama may help you better understand emotions, behaviors, relationships, trauma, stress, coping patterns, and ways to make meaningful changes.
Medication management focuses on evaluating psychiatric symptoms, determining whether medication may be appropriate, monitoring effectiveness and side effects, and making adjustments when clinically necessary.
For some people, medication may reduce symptoms enough that they can participate more fully in therapy. For others, therapy may remain the primary treatment.
At Integrative Health Services, we believe strongly in coordinated care.
If you already have a therapist outside our practice, you do not have to switch therapists to see Emily for medication management. We respect established therapeutic relationships and are not trying to require patients to receive every service through our practice.
However, when appropriate, we encourage patients to allow Emily to communicate with their therapist so providers can coordinate treatment. With your authorization, this may include discussing treatment goals, symptom changes, medication response, clinical concerns, and overall progress.
Meet Emily Trentacoste-Martin, CRNP
Emily Trentacoste-Martin, CRNP, has worked in mental health care since 2015, beginning her career as a registered nurse in inpatient and emergency mental health settings.
She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and began practicing as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in 2020.
Emily believes in a collaborative approach to mental health care and works with patients to develop individualized treatment plans based on their unique needs and goals.
Her areas of experience include psychiatric evaluation and medication management for:
- Depression and other mood disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Anxiety disorders
- Panic disorders
- Trauma-related concerns
- Schizophrenia
- Schizoaffective disorder
- ADHD
- Autism and co-occurring mental health concerns
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Women’s mental health
- Mental health concerns related to pregnancy
- Postpartum mental health concerns
- Menopause-related mental health concerns
Emily works with individuals across the lifespan, including children, teenagers, and adults.
Medication Management in Shelby County and Jefferson County
Integrative Health Services currently has three Alabama locations:
Emily will rotate between our Pelham and Gardendale offices for in-person psychiatric appointments.
Clients receiving therapy at our Alabaster office can see Emily at the nearby Pelham location when an in-person appointment is needed.
Her Pelham schedule will help serve individuals throughout Shelby County, including Pelham, Alabaster, Helena, Calera, and surrounding communities.
Her Gardendale schedule will provide psychiatric medication management for individuals throughout Jefferson County, including Gardendale, Fultondale, Morris, Mount Olive, Warrior, North Birmingham, and surrounding communities.
Emily will also provide telehealth psychiatric medication management for eligible patients throughout Alabama.
What Happens During a Psychiatric Evaluation?
During your first appointment, Emily may ask about:
- Current symptoms
- Mental health history
- Medical history
- Current and previous medications
- Previous therapy or psychiatric treatment
- Sleep
- School or work functioning
- Relationships and stressors
- Family history
- Medication effectiveness or side effects
- Your treatment goals
You do not need to know which medication you want before scheduling an appointment. The purpose of the evaluation is to better understand what you are experiencing and discuss possible treatment options.
How Should I Talk to My Provider About Medication?
It can help to ask questions such as:
Could medication help the symptoms I am experiencing?
- What treatment options do you recommend?
- What are the possible benefits and side effects?
- How long might it take to notice improvement?
- How will we know whether the medication is working?
- Could this interact with other medications or supplements?
- How often will I need follow-up appointments?
- Would therapy also be helpful?
- Can you coordinate care with my therapist?
Mental health treatment should feel collaborative. You should understand why a treatment is being recommended and have an opportunity to ask questions.
Schedule Psychiatric Medication Management in Alabama
Emily Trentacoste-Martin, CRNP, is anticipated to begin seeing patients September 9, 2026.
Appointments will include:
- Telehealth: For eligible patients throughout Alabama.
- Pelham: In-person medication management for patients throughout Shelby County and surrounding communities.
- Gardendale: In-person medication management for patients throughout Jefferson County and surrounding communities.
Whether you are currently in therapy, looking for a psychiatric medication provider, or simply wondering whether medication may be helpful, our team can help you determine the next step. Follow the steps below to get started:
- To request an appointment with Emily Trentacoste-Martin, CRNP, call Integrative Health Services at 205-644-1166 or use the Book an Appointment option on our website.
- Our team will connect with you to learn more about what you are looking for, answer any initial questions, and help determine the appointment option that best fits your needs.
- Schedule your psychiatric medication management appointment and take the next step toward receiving personalized support.
Other Therapy Options Available at Integrative Health Services
In addition to psychiatric services, Integrative Health Services offers comprehensive mental health counseling for children, teens, adults, couples, and families throughout Alabaster, Pelham, Calera, and Gardendale. Our clinicians provide anxiety therapy, depression counseling, trauma therapy, EMDR therapy and Brainspotting. Our team also offers play therapy, addiction recovery counseling, family therapy, marital and pre-marital counseling.
This article is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Medication decisions should always be discussed with an appropriately qualified healthcare provider.
