Denise Johnson
I provide telehealth medication management for adults in California in a supportive and straightforward setting. My work focuses on helping people manage mental and emotional symptoms that interfere with daily functioning, including depression, anxiety, mood changes, sleep problems, and ongoing stress. Care is centered on understanding current concerns, reviewing what has or has not worked in the past, and creating a treatment plan that feels clear, practical, and manageable. I frequently work with individuals who need medication adjustments, continuation of care, or ongoing follow-up when symptoms are not well controlled or medications are no longer working as expected.
My work focuses on helping people manage mental and emotional symptoms that interfere with daily functioning, including depression, anxiety, mood changes, sleep problems, and ongoing stress.
First session
The first appointment is focused on developing a clear understanding of what you are experiencing. We will review current symptoms, medical and mental health history, prior medication trials, side effects, sleep patterns, mood, stressors, and goals for care. You do not need to have everything figured out before the visit. When medication is appropriate, options are discussed in plain language, including what they are used for, what to expect, and how progress will be monitored. Time is set aside for questions. All visits are completed through secure telehealth.
Strengths
My approach is calm, supportive, and structured. I focus on clear communication, careful medication management, and realistic expectations. Patients often appreciate having medications explained in a way that is easy to understand, with attention to both benefits and side effects. Treatment decisions are made collaboratively, with a strong emphasis on safety, consistency, and follow-up over time.
Ideal clients
I work best with adults seeking medication support for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, sleep problems, mood instability, stress, burnout, panic symptoms, and irritability. This includes individuals starting medication for the first time, those reassessing medications that are no longer effective, and those needing ongoing follow-up and refills as part of their care.
Treatment methods
Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation involves discussing the patient’s symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options to support informed decision-making. Sessions include reviewing how medications work, what symptoms they target, potential benefits and risks, and how the patient can monitor response and side effects. The patient is encouraged to ask questions and share concerns to support understanding and adherence as part of ongoing medication management.
Supportive
Supportive interventions focus on the patient discussing current concerns, stressors, emotional responses, and the impact of symptoms on daily functioning. Sessions may be brief during follow-up visits or extended during initial evaluations when clinically indicated. The approach emphasizes validation, clarification, and reinforcement of coping strategies while remaining structured, time-limited, and integrated with medication management.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational techniques involve exploring the patient’s goals, concerns, and ambivalence related to treatment. Sessions focus on supporting the patient’s engagement with medication recommendations, follow-up care, and health-related changes. This approach is used to address barriers to treatment participation and encourage follow-through, either briefly during follow-ups or more extensively during initial assessments when appropriate.
Location
Virtual sessions