Honest answers
Here's what we actually tell our patients.
A psychiatrist can assess the full picture — both psychological and biological. Some conditions have a medical component that therapy alone cannot address. Meeting a psychiatrist helps make sure nothing is missed.
Your first session is not about having the “right” words or immediately going into the deepest parts of your life. For many people, it is simply a starting point — an opportunity to talk openly, feel heard, and begin making sense of what has been difficult. Together with your clinician, you will explore what has brought you to therapy, what feels important to you, and what kind of support or direction may be most helpful moving forward.
A good therapeutic relationship is not about always feeling comfortable or hearing only what you want to hear. Often, therapy involves discussing difficult emotions, patterns, or experiences that can feel uncomfortable at times. What usually matters more is whether you feel emotionally safe, understood without judgement, and able to speak openly and honestly over time. Many people also notice that a good match allows them to feel challenged in a constructive way, reflect more deeply on themselves, and gradually build trust in both the therapist and the process.
Not at all. Many people come to therapy without a formal diagnosis. Sometimes people seek support because they feel emotionally overwhelmed, stuck in recurring patterns, disconnected from themselves or others, struggling in relationships, experiencing burnout, anxiety, stress, or simply sensing that something in their life does not feel quite right. Therapy can be valuable both for addressing specific difficulties and for developing a deeper understanding of yourself, regardless of whether a diagnosis is present.
Not necessarily. Medication is one tool among many, and it is only recommended when there is a clear clinical reason for it. Many people benefit from therapy alone.
Most psychiatric medications are not addictive. The ones that carry a dependency risk are prescribed with great care, for specific situations, and always with a clear plan for how long you will need them.
We will always be transparent with you about what we prescribe and why. If a medication carries any risk, we explain it fully before you take your first dose.
Some medications require a gradual reduction rather than stopping suddenly. We guide you through that process carefully, at a pace that is safe and comfortable for you.
Psychiatric medication does not change who you are. What it can do is lift the weight of symptoms that have been getting in the way — so you can feel more like yourself, not less.
Everything you share with us is fully confidential. Your information is never passed on without your consent, except in situations where there is a serious risk to your safety or the safety of others.
A proper ADHD assessment takes time and cannot be completed in a single session. At IASO, we conduct a thorough evaluation before any treatment decisions are made.
