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When Psychiatry Meets Therapy

When Psychiatry Meets Therapy

  • How collaboration between therapists and psychiatrists works in practice
  • Key things therapists need to know about psychotropic medications (classes, effects, timelines)
  • Navigating client attitudes and stigma around medication
  • Practical tips for building referral networks and coordinating care outside hospital setups

Open to all Therapists | FREE event

26th September | Friday, 4PM - 5:15PM

Format: Panel discussion followed by Q&A

Led by panel of senior Psychiatrists & Psychologists

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Who is this event for?

This event is for practicing therapists, counsellors, and mental health professionals who often encounter the question of when therapy is enough and when psychiatric support is needed. It’s also for those who want to better understand psychotropic medication, strengthen collaboration with psychiatrists, and feel more confident navigating client conversations around referrals and medication use.

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Why are we doing this?

At SoulUp, we are building a community where therapists can come together to learn, unlearn, and grow - with lived experience at the heart of it.
One of our key goals is to create ways to bring real-world insights into the therapeutic process.

'When Psychiatry Meets Therapy' is designed to bridge the gap between psychotherapy and psychiatry by opening up conversations around collaboration, clarity, and confidence. By learning directly from psychiatrists and experienced therapists, we hope to equip the community with practical tools for working together more effectively, supporting clients with greater nuance, and reducing the silos that too often exist in mental health care.

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MeetUp Agenda

Panel 1: Collaboration in Practice | By Dr. Ashelsha Bagadia, Dr. Sabina Rao, Soumini Menon (20 mins)

Main Theme: How do we handle client beliefs about medication?

1. What attitudes do clients commonly have about medication (stigma, fear, “I don’t want to get addicted”) and how can therapists psycho-educate or nudge clients toward psychiatric consultations when needed?
2. Balancing autonomy & clinical judgment—how can we hold space for these sensitive conversations?

Panel 2: What Therapists Need to Know about Medication | By Dr. Ashelsha Bagadia and Dr. Sabina Rao (20–25 mins)

Main Theme: How do psychotropic medications work and what should therapists know?

1. Classes of medications (SSRIs, SNRIs, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, anxiolytics) and how they work (Basic biology and mechanism of action).
2. Most commonly prescribed meds in India.
3. What therapists should know about these meds in terms of clinical presentation:

- Possible side effects (weight gain, sexual dysfunction, sleep issues, withdrawal).
- Dosage basics (not to prescribe, but to understand timelines & compliance issues).
- What to watch for in therapy sessions (adverse reactions, red flags).

Panel 3: Client Attitudes towards Psychotropic Medication & Psychoeducation | By Dr. Ashelsha Bagadia, Dr. Sabina Rao, Soumini Menon (15 mins)

Main Theme: How can therapists and psychiatrists work together?

1. How do you know what therapy can address vs what needs psychiatric input?
2. As a psychologist when do you decide to send a client for medication and how to assess the need of what needs medication?
3. What would a good collaboration look like?
4. What information is required for referral?
5. What does working together look like?


Sub Theme: We talk so much about “collaborative care.” What does collaboration look like for therapists in private practice (outside hospitals)?

1. How do you collaborate and coordinate care without a hospital system?
2. How can therapists and psychiatrists communicate effectively when working independently?
3. What are practical steps for building a trusted referral network?

Led by a Panel of Psychiatrists and Psychologists

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  • Dr. Ashlesha Bagadia

    Dr. Ashlesha Bagadia is a Perinatal Psychiatrist and Head of Psychotherapy at The Green Oak Initiative, Bangalore. Trained in Systemic Family Therapy and Mentalisation Based Treatment, she co-founded both Green Oak and PARC, advancing psychotherapy training in South Asia. Her work spans perinatal psychiatry, MBT group therapy, family support for BPD, and systemic therapy for complex needs.

  • Dr. Sabina Rao

    Dr. Sabina Rao is a Psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience, trained at Bangalore Medical College and Duke University, USA. After working at NIMHANS as a Community Psychiatrist, she has focused on outpatient care for depression, anxiety, and OCD. Currently at Manipal Hospital, her special interest lies in women’s mental health, particularly around pre-, peri-, and post-menopause.

  • Soumini Menon

    Soumini Menon is a Developmental and Counselling Psychologist with over 15 years of experience supporting children, individuals, and families. Trained in counselling psychology, narrative practices, trauma-informed therapies, and expressive arts, her work spans anxiety, depression, neurodiversity, grief, trauma, and personal growth, creating a warm and supportive space for healing and resilience.

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