Reviewed 2026-09-21 · DNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Taper plans when a medication's risk exceeds its benefit
Crisis plus a medication question is still a crisis: 988 or ER first.
What Medication Management actually includes
Telehealth medication management still requires Florida presence, identity check, and a visit note.
Mood-stabilizer adjustment uses levels, kidney/thyroid labs, and teratogenicity counseling when relevant.
In-office versus Florida telehealth
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea sits in Broward County. County-level resources (crisis lines, hospital ERs, IOP programs) are discussed during Medication Management when a higher level of care is safer than outpatient titration.
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea (Broward County) has about 6,500 residents. The nearest Peace & Heart Wellness exam room is the Hollywood office, about 28 minutes from The Lauderdale-by-the-Sea reef and pedestrian village.
Check labs due for the current class.
If side effects appear, do not wait for the next quarterly slot — tighten follow-up.
Clinical FAQ
Can medication management be telehealth?
Yes if you are in Florida and the case is appropriate. Controlled-substance rules still apply.
Can you help me taper?
Yes. Tapers are scheduled by drug class. Do not stop MAOIs, benzos, or paroxetine abruptly on your own.
Can I refuse a medication?
Always. Informed consent includes the option of no medication.
Do you monitor antipsychotics?
Weight, A1c, lipids, and neurologic side effects are part of the protocol.
Do you prescribe benzodiazepines long-term?
Rarely, with a documented indication and a taper orientation. They are not a standing plan for GAD.
Can a PMHNP-BC prescribe psychiatric medication in Florida?
Yes. Dr. Chatelier is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Prescribing is within Florida APRN scope, with monitoring.
Are psychiatric services available near Lauderdale-by-the-Sea?
While we're not located in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, our Hollywood office is about 25 minutes away, and our telehealth platform makes follow-up care extremely convenient for coastal residents.
Do you address seasonal mood changes?
Yes. Seasonal affective patterns, including reverse SAD (summer-related), are recognized in our evaluations. Florida's unique climate patterns can affect mood differently than northern states.
Protocol elements we do not skip
Lithium: level, TSH, creatinine, pregnancy test as indicated.
QTc risk: ECG when combining high-risk agents.
Formulary alternatives offered without pretending they are identical.
Clozapine: ANC monitoring — we refer if we cannot meet the REMS cadence.
What we rule in — and rule out
Polypharmacy review when the list exceeds what the diagnosis can justify.
Not indicated to supply controlled substances without a supporting diagnosis and monitoring plan.
Intolerable side effects that might respond to dose change, switch, or adjunct.
Failed or partial response to a current agent after an adequate trial.
How Medication Management is structured
Document why a requested stimulant or benzo was declined.
Send the prescription to a named pharmacy; document the pharmacy.
Decide: continue, adjust, switch, or taper — one primary change when possible.
No-show after a high-risk start triggers outreach.
Next step
Start with one thorough Medication Management evaluation rather than a series of 15-minute check-ins. Book at (888) 307-2199 or online.
Crisis now is 988 or the ER — not the booking form. For non-urgent Medication Management, use (888) 307-2199 during weekday hours.
Related care
Clinician: Dr. Dorothy Chatelier, DNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Last medical review: 2026-09-21.
Florida telehealth psychiatry is available to established and new patients located in Florida at the time of the visit, subject to licensure and clinical appropriateness. An in-person evaluation at the Hollywood office may be recommended when a physical exam, vital signs, or a more complete diagnostic interview is needed.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Always seek care from a qualified clinician for questions about a medical or psychiatric condition. If you are in crisis, call 988 or go to the nearest emergency department.