Mental Health Medication Review & Optimisation
At Ashburn, medication optimisation is part of a broader approach to mental health care. While medication can play an important role in recovery, we also recognise the importance of psychotherapy, community support, and understanding the factors contributing to distress. Our Clinical Pharmacist Prescriber service works alongside Ashburn’s wider therapeutic model to help people make informed decisions about their medication.
This includes:
- Developing individualised tapering plans to safely reduce or discontinue medicines such as antidepressants, benzodiazepines, mood stabilisers, and antipsychotics
- Helping patients understand their medicines and how they work
- Providing advice on adverse effects and alternatives
- Offering regular follow-up support throughout the tapering process
Medication review and tapering support are not standalone decisions. At Ashburn, they sit within a wider treatment philosophy that considers the whole person – including psychological, emotional, relational, and social factors. For some people, this may involve adjusting or tapering medication. For others, it may mean continuing medication while strengthening other forms of support.
Why Reduce or Stop Medication?
There are many reasons someone may want to come off psychiatric medicines, including:
- Feeling the medicine is no longer needed
- Experiencing adverse effects
- Finding the medicine is no longer effective
- Wanting to see if mental health can be managed with less medication
Stopping psychiatric medicines can be challenging, as withdrawal symptoms are common. These symptoms are often less severe when the medicine is tapered slowly in carefully reduced doses
What to Expect
Referral: A GP referral is required to access this service.
Initial appointment: You’ll meet with our Clinical Pharmacist Prescriber who specialises in psychiatric medicines. They will take a full history and develop a tailored medication plan.
Follow-up: A second appointment will review the plan, discuss practicalities (such as compounded liquid prescriptions if required), and outline the next steps.
Ongoing support: Follow-up appointments are usually 30 minutes every 2–4 weeks at first, then less frequently as the process becomes easier. We use rating scales to monitor withdrawal and adjust the plan based on your progress, preferences, and readiness.
The timeframe is highly individual. For many people, tapering takes 6–12 months, depending on the type of medicine, length of use, dosage, and withdrawal symptoms.
Important considerations
Timing
We would recommend starting the process when you are not facing major life events or significant stress. If circumstances change, the taper can be paused.
If you are already experiencing withdrawal symptoms, a more individualised approach may be needed. This can include a longer initial assessment and, in some cases, involvement of a psychiatrist to support safe and effective planning.
Whānau and Family Support
Having a trusted support person can make the process easier. You are welcome to bring someone with you to appointments.
Safety
Adjusting psychiatric medication can be difficult. We will thoroughly discuss the risks and benefits and provide ongoing support. If severe symptoms arise – such as panic, sudden intense mood changes, or suicidality – patients are asked to seek immediate help from their GP or emergency psychiatric services.
Costs
Please view our Fees page for the detailed costs.
Looking for broader support?
Some people come to Ashburn seeking a medication review only. Others may benefit from more comprehensive support, including inpatient care, individual or group psychotherapy, rTMS, and Ashburn’s therapeutic community programme. If you are unsure which pathway is right for you, our team can help guide you toward the most appropriate option.