Our team of specialists provides evaluations and treatment for adults (18+) suspected of having a bipolar spectrum disorder. Individuals referred to our clinic will first undergo a comprehensive consultation to clarify presenting concerns and goals. After evaluation, several options may be recommended.
Consultation and Evaluation
Our clinic provides comprehensive diagnostic assessments to help achieve diagnostic clarity. We often consult with your referring provider following evaluation to share the results of the evaluation. Current evidence suggests that individuals with bipolar spectrum disorders do best with a combination of medication management and psychotherapy:
Medication
Our clinic provides short-term medication management with the goal of finding the ideal medication regimen personalized to you. Once you are stabilized, we will work with you to transfer your care to a long-term community provider (e.g., community psychiatrist, community psychiatric nurse practitioner, primary care physician). We will remain available for future consultation with you or your community provider should changes need to be made to your medications.
Psychotherapy
Our clinic provides short-term evidenced-based psychotherapy for bipolar spectrum disorders and related concerns. Examples of evidenced-based therapies include Psychoeducation, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Interpersonal and Social Rhythms Therapy. The average number of sessions in an evidenced-based psychotherapy protocol is 12 to 30 sessions. Typically, sessions last 50 minutes and may happen weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Once you and your provider feel that your therapy goals have been met, we will work with you to refer you to a long-term provider who can continue to provide supportive psychotherapy.
Group Therapy
Our clinic provides the Bipolar Life Goals Program - a psychoeducation group for people with bipolar spectrum disorders. It meets virtually for 90 minutes, every week, for 6 weeks. The goal of the program is to improve clinical outcomes (reduce symptom intensity and duration) by improving illness management skills. This is accomplished by:
- Imparting education - Focusing on early warning signs and triggers of both hypo/manic and depressive episodes
- Assisting group members in identifying their own specific symptom pattern, early warning signs, and triggers
- Developing detailed and person-specific action plans for illness management
- Emphasizes development of individual’s ability to cope with illness and to participate actively in treatment by engaging in timely, joint decision making regarding their illness.
In addition, patients in our clinic are often referred to general adult groups in Ambulatory Psychiatry at Michigan Medicine. Clients with bipolar spectrum disorders, especially when co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or trauma are present, may benefit from:
- CBT Basic Group for Anxiety
- CBT Cognitive Skills Group for Anxiety
- Basic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for PTSD and Trauma
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD or Trauma-related stress
- Adult DBT Basic Group
- Adult DBT Skills Group
- Basic Skills for Insomnia Group
- Mindfulness for Insomnia
- Meds Plus Clinic
