New Vitae Wellness Foundation Hosted Resistant Depression Training

New Vitae Wellness Foundation, in partnership with New Vitae Wellness and Recovery, Marywood University, and the National Association of Social Workers, Pennsylvania Chapter, was proud to present a community education session on Wednesday, November 28th, 2018.  The training, titled, "Resistant Depression: Understanding Treatment Options," explored the challenges associated with treatment-resistant depression and offered an overview of new therapeutic options.  

Dr. Desmond Oathes, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Oathes Lab at the University of Pennsylvania, offered information and insight on the use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS.  Following a detailed review of the neural structures and underlying process associated with TMS, Dr. Oathes hinted at the future of these services. He also discussed a variety of alternate treatment options associated with adult resistant depression, including Electroconvulsive Therapy, or ECT.   

Additionally, Andrew Amick, RN, BSN, New Vitae Wellness and Recovery’s Director of Wellness, presented information regarding the diagnosis of depression, antidepressant use, and the burgeoning field of pharmacogenomics.  Amick explored the use of GeneSight and other organizations that utilize genetic testing to determine recommended medication options.  He also displayed and reviewed the benefits of the Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation devices used by individuals receiving treatment at New Vitae. 

Throughout the evening, guests were invited to visit New Vitae's Recovery Center to view the Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (DTMS) machine and meet with some of the staff members who are certified to provide the therapy.  Training participants shared the opportunity to learn additional details about the service and obtain information related to initiating DTMS services.  Several guests were able to obtain additional continuing education credits for their participation in the evening's training.

New Vitae Wellness Foundation would like to thank our esteemed guest speakers as well as all of the training participants for sharing a wonderful evening with us!