2nd World Congress on
Mental Health

Biography:

Dr. Lidia Martinez earned her Ph.D. from Nova Southeastern University. Her credentials include Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Qualified Supervisor, Master Level Addiction Professional (MCAP), and Alcohol and Drug counselor with the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She is also faculty at The Center for Psychological Studies, Nova Southeastern University. For more than 20 years, she worked to bring a holistic approach to treatment, combining a broad array of evidence-based therapeutic strategies in collaboration with the medical components for wellness. She enjoys seeing her patients flourish and maintain their goals as they incorporate new insights and strategies learned on their therapeutic journey that help to grow their resilience. She offers innovative services through text, phone, video, or online chat sessions as part of her telemedicine platform.

Abstract:

Statement of the problem: There is a significant gap in between training the professional in the addictions field and Mental Health Field. International and national credentialing bodies are bridging that gap by acknowledging and recognizing the apprenticeship model through higher education credentials. While evidenced based theoretical models are standard training mode, both  personal experience and empirical based higher education both can have a place in training the Addiction Professional and the mental health professional. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Systematic examples will be presented on both the Apprenticeship model and how higher education is promoting effective training of Addiction Professional. Conclusion and Significance: As the professional training gap between both Addiction and Mental Health fields narrow, there will be much potential and promise that will await in the future. Key words: Addiction, counselor training, mental health competency.

Biography:

Dr. Oscar Hernandez finished post-doctoral training in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Michigan State University. He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Pediatrics and has been in private practice for over 30 years in Miami, Florida, USA. He has passed the Certifying Examination of the American Board of Obesity Medicine and is the founder of Florida Bariatrics and Nutrition. He practices primary care and obesity medicine helping thousands of patients who suffer from cardiometabolic illness and his work has been featured on the documentary “600 Pound Mom” on Discovery Channel, “Race Against Time” on TLC, and “Fat City” on Discovery Life. He is the host of the weekly “Health Talks” program on 90.9 FM (USA). His background as a private practitioner in primary care provides an excellent example of how collaboration between primary care physicians and psychiatrists can be achieved in a community setting.

Abstract:

Each year millions of patients are started on psychotropic medications as part of comprehensive psychiatric management for many mental health issues (1).  Often these medications are weight positive and worsen cardiometabolic problems in a population already at risk (2, 3).  The author examines the collaboration between psychiatrist and internist resulting in significant weight loss in the case of a patient with obesity, cardiometabolic problems and mood disorder. The author and investigator is a general internist and primary care provider in private practice. 

A randomly selected patient on psychotropic medication for mood disorder was seen by the investigator in a community based medical weight loss service. The patient gave informed consent for the author to communicate with their psychiatrist. The patient had related cardiometabolic illness including obesity, metabolic syndrome, elevated lipids, high pressure, diabetes and suspected sleep apnea.

The investigator proposed a change of psychotropic medication to the psychiatrist who in collaboration with the investigator internist made the change. Additional lifestyle changes, activity program and weight loss medications approved by the United States Federal Drug Administration (4) were integrated into the patient’s weight loss program. Significant weight loss was achieved and all cardiometabolic outcomes improved. This allowed for cessation of diabetes and high blood pressure medications while maintaining normal pressures and acceptable hemoglobin A1C levels (5). 

The patient was followed over a 6-month period with no negative psychiatric effects of the medication change. The patient’s cardiometabolic outcome significantly improved