Photo of Kevin Simonson, Psychiatrist in 90403, CA
Kevin Simonson
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
Santa Monica, CA 90403  (Online Only)
Dr. Kevin is a Medical Doctor and Board Certified Psychiatrist with an integrative approach to mental health treatment and a holistic orientation. He received his medical degree from UC Irvine and completed residency at UC Riverside and the Long Beach VA.
Dr. Kevin is a Medical Doctor and Board Certified Psychiatrist with an integrative approach to mental health treatment and a holistic orientation. He received his medical degree from UC Irvine and completed residency at UC Riverside and the Long Beach VA.
(424) 306-0269 View (424) 306-0269
Photo of Catalina Villa, Psychiatrist in 90403, CA
Catalina Villa
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
Santa Monica, CA 90403  (Online Only)
Our providers offer medication management, various modalities of therapy such as CBT, and telepsychiatry appointments.
We know asking for help is a challenging thing to do. We also know that finding a provider you trust to help you navigate mental health care can be a challenge. That's why we're here, and we're doing things differently. As a patient at Bonmente, you enjoy comprehensive treatments customized specifically for your unique circumstances, convenient telemedicine appointments that allow you to see your provider from the comfort of home, an online patient portal that lets you communicate directly with your provider, and a highly trained support team that makes becoming a patient as simple as it should be. Now, welcoming new patients!
Our providers offer medication management, various modalities of therapy such as CBT, and telepsychiatry appointments.
We know asking for help is a challenging thing to do. We also know that finding a provider you trust to help you navigate mental health care can be a challenge. That's why we're here, and we're doing things differently. As a patient at Bonmente, you enjoy comprehensive treatments customized specifically for your unique circumstances, convenient telemedicine appointments that allow you to see your provider from the comfort of home, an online patient portal that lets you communicate directly with your provider, and a highly trained support team that makes becoming a patient as simple as it should be. Now, welcoming new patients!
(213) 516-9953 View (213) 516-9953
Photo of Leah Silver, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in 90403, CA
Leah Silver
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, PMHNO, DNP
Verified Verified
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Leah Silver is a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in California who started practicing in 2022. She earned an Undergraduate Degree in Nursing from the University of Arizona and a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree from the University of Washington. Leah believes it is a privilege to positively impact her patients and help improve their mental health. Her hope is to empower individuals, families, groups, and communities to achieve their health goals.
Leah Silver is a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in California who started practicing in 2022. She earned an Undergraduate Degree in Nursing from the University of Arizona and a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree from the University of Washington. Leah believes it is a privilege to positively impact her patients and help improve their mental health. Her hope is to empower individuals, families, groups, and communities to achieve their health goals.
(310) 730-1781 View (310) 730-1781
Photo of Penny Greaves, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in 90403, CA
Penny Greaves
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, FNP, PMHNP
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Penny Greaves has over twenty years of Nursing experience and received her bachelor's in nursing in 2007 and a Master's of Nursing with a primary care nurse practitioner certificate in 2010 from Ryerson University, in Toronto, Canada. She obtained her Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) degree in 2021 from the National University and is dual certified with the ANCC in psychiatry and the AANP in family practice. She is currently pursuing a psychology doctorate degree (PsyD) to improve health outcomes. She is experienced with adults, adults with addictions, complex mental health problems, geriatrics, and dementia.
Penny Greaves has over twenty years of Nursing experience and received her bachelor's in nursing in 2007 and a Master's of Nursing with a primary care nurse practitioner certificate in 2010 from Ryerson University, in Toronto, Canada. She obtained her Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) degree in 2021 from the National University and is dual certified with the ANCC in psychiatry and the AANP in family practice. She is currently pursuing a psychology doctorate degree (PsyD) to improve health outcomes. She is experienced with adults, adults with addictions, complex mental health problems, geriatrics, and dementia.
(805) 774-1934 View (805) 774-1934
Medication Management Psychiatrists

What are the most effective ways to manage medications?

One of the most effective ways a patient can manage their medications is to keep a list of each drug and dosage they take. Such a list can be helpful in keeping to their schedule and can also be something they bring to their psychiatrist or other physician so that the healthcare provider has a clear picture of what they’re taking and in what quantity. Using a pill organizer can be useful for memory and organization. Patients should discuss their medications and their effects at every appointment.

What are the risks if medications are not managed properly?

A suboptimal approach to medication management can lead to potentially harmful health outcomes. Most psychiatric drugs have side effects, and if a patient is not aware of them, they may seek additional medical help or over the counter or prescription drugs to treat the side effects, which may have its own side effects, a process called “prescription cascade.” Another risk to disorganization is that a psychiatrist without full knowledge of a patient’s regimen could prescribe a medication that should not be mixed with a patient’s existing drugs.

What’s the best way to encourage someone to get help managing their medications?

It’s helpful to express concern and love for the person while framing medication management as a tool for improving their life and avoiding dangerous side effects. Offering specific examples of an individual’s failure to properly manage their medication regimen should be done with compassion and with empathy. It may be useful to break management down into parts, and there are several apps that can be used to organize which drugs are ingested, when they need to be refilled, and how they should be stored.

Are there natural treatments that can replace medications?

While there are many medications that can be vital to mental health, there are some natural lifestyle changes that can help reduce the need for drugs. Regular exercise, good sleep habits, a healthy diet, and therapy can all go a long way in symptom relief. Psychiatric medications typically treat symptoms but do not necessarily treat the cause of the condition. Many clinicians consider medications an adjunct to treatment rather than a treatment in and of itself.