Conditions we care for
Bipolar care that takes the long view.
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition that responds well to the right treatment, and badly to the wrong one. Our approach is conservative, evidence-based, and built for stability over years, not just symptom relief this week.
- 2 locations · Cedar Rapids · St. Thomas
- In-person · Telehealth available
Stability is the goal
"Not just treating mood episodes when they happen."
What this looks like
Bipolar disorder is commonly misdiagnosed.
Many patients with bipolar disorder are first diagnosed with depression and treated with antidepressants alone, which can sometimes destabilize mood or trigger manic or mixed episodes. By the time they get a correct diagnosis, they have often lost years to treatment that was not designed for what they actually have.
Bipolar is a clinical diagnosis based on a careful history. We look for the highs as carefully as the lows. Many patients do not initially identify their hypomanic episodes as a problem (they often felt productive, creative, alive), and the depressive episodes are the ones that brought them in. The job of evaluation is to see the whole pattern.
Treatment for bipolar is different from treatment for depression. Mood stabilizers are typically the foundation. Antidepressants alone are usually avoided. The goal is not just feeling better this week, it is preventing the next episode and protecting the brain over decades.
Conservative, evidence-based
We do not use treatments that have not been studied for this condition.
How we treat bipolar
Coordinated, conservative bipolar care.
Bipolar treatment is a long-term partnership. We focus on what is well-supported by evidence and avoid interventions whose risk-benefit profile does not fit this diagnosis.
Psychiatric Evaluation & Diagnosis
A thorough diagnostic evaluation including mood history, family history, sleep patterns, substance use, and screening for differential diagnoses. We do not rush this; getting the diagnosis right is the foundation for everything else.
Medication Management
Mood stabilizers (lithium, valproate, lamotrigine) and atypical antipsychotics are first-line for bipolar disorder. We prescribe thoughtfully, monitor labs, and adjust based on response and tolerability. Antidepressants are used cautiously, if at all, and only with mood stabilizer coverage.
Therapy & Psychoeducation
Therapy supports stability: identifying early warning signs of episodes, sleep and routine work (critical for bipolar), and processing the impact of past episodes. CBT for bipolar and interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) are both well-supported.
How treatment works
From your first call to ongoing care.
No surprises. Here is exactly what the path from your first call to ongoing treatment looks like at our clinic.
01
Reach out.
Book online or call us at (319) 800-2125 (Cedar Rapids) or (340) 244-9658 (St. Thomas). A free 15-minute consultation is the easiest way to start if you are not sure where to begin.
02
Initial evaluation.
A 60 to 90 minute conversation with a clinician. Full psychiatric and medical history, a review of what you have already tried, and a conversation about what you actually want out of treatment.
03
Your individualized plan.
We build a treatment plan with you, not for you. It may include therapy, medication, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, functional medicine workups, or a combination. We explain the why behind every recommendation.
04
Treatment begins.
You start the plan we built together. Sessions are scheduled around your life. In-person at our Cedar Rapids or St. Thomas clinics, or via secure telehealth where appropriate.
05
Ongoing care and adjustment.
Mental health is not linear. We check in, measure progress, adjust the plan when things change, and coordinate with your other providers when that helps.
Bipolar presentations we commonly treat.
Bipolar disorder exists on a spectrum. The right treatment depends on which type you actually have, and on what else is co-occurring.
Under the bipolar umbrellaUnder the bipolar umbrella
Frequently asked
Questions about bipolar treatment.
If your question isn’t here, our team can walk you through it. Call (319) 800-2125 or request a free 15-minute consultation.
01Do you offer ketamine therapy for bipolar disorder?
Generally no, and this is intentional. Ketamine and other rapid-acting antidepressant treatments can carry a risk of triggering mania or mixed states in patients with bipolar disorder. We do not offer KAP for active bipolar disorder. In rare, carefully selected cases of bipolar depression that has not responded to standard treatments, this may be reconsidered with extensive evaluation, but it is not our first-line approach.
02Why are antidepressants used cautiously in bipolar?
Antidepressants alone can trigger manic or hypomanic episodes, induce mixed states, or accelerate cycling in some patients with bipolar disorder. When used at all, they are typically used with mood stabilizer coverage and monitored carefully.
03Will I have to be on medication forever?
Bipolar disorder is generally a lifelong condition, and most patients benefit from ongoing medication to prevent episodes. The specific medications and doses can change over time. The decision is always yours, but we are honest about the risks of stopping medication during stable periods, which is one of the most common causes of relapse.
04How do I know if I have bipolar disorder versus depression?
Diagnosis is based on a careful history, not a single visit. We look for past episodes of elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, increased energy, impulsive behavior, or grandiosity, sometimes lasting just a few days. Family history is also relevant. Many patients do not initially recognize their hypomanic periods until we ask the right questions.
05Can I drink alcohol or use cannabis with bipolar?
Both can destabilize mood in bipolar disorder. Alcohol disrupts sleep and interacts with most psychiatric medications. Cannabis has been associated with increased risk of mood episodes and psychosis in some patients. This is a conversation we have honestly, without judgment.
06Do you treat bipolar in adolescents?
Yes. Adolescent bipolar requires especially careful evaluation, since adolescent mood instability has many possible causes. When the diagnosis is correct, early appropriate treatment can change the long-term trajectory.
07Can my family member or partner be involved in my care?
Yes, with your consent. Bipolar is one of the conditions where family or partner involvement, when the patient wants it, can meaningfully improve outcomes. Loved ones often notice early warning signs of episodes before the patient does.
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