Schizophrenia Treatment & Medication Management — Maryland & DC | MJB Holistic

MJB Holistic provides schizophrenia treatment and medication management to Maryland and DC residents via secure telehealth, plus select Georgia patients covered by Peach State Health Plan. In-person visits available at our Upper Marlboro, MD office; telehealth available statewide.

Schizophrenia and other psychotic spectrum conditions are deeply treatable, and the earlier intervention starts, the better the long-term outcome. Finding a psychiatric provider who treats schizophrenia with respect, expertise, and consistency can be hard. At MJB Holistic & Therapeutic Services in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, we work with patients living with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and first-episode psychosis. We treat the whole client, and not the hole in the client.

How schizophrenia shows up

Schizophrenia involves a combination of symptoms that affect how the mind perceives, thinks, and processes emotion. These are often grouped into three categories:

Positive symptoms (additions to typical experience)

• Hallucinations — hearing voices, seeing things, or other sensory experiences others don't share
• Delusions — strongly held beliefs that don't match reality and can't be argued away
• Disorganized thinking — speech that jumps between topics or feels hard to follow
• Disorganized or unusual behavior

Negative symptoms (reductions from typical experience)

• Reduced emotional expression
• Loss of motivation or interest
• Social withdrawal
• Difficulty starting and finishing activities

Cognitive symptoms

• Trouble concentrating, remembering, or organizing thoughts
• Difficulty making decisions or planning

Our approach to schizophrenia treatment

Melveena Johnson-Bolden, PMHNP-BC, has extensive experience treating serious mental illness across her 28-year nursing career. Schizophrenia treatment requires consistency, careful medication management, and a therapeutic relationship built over time. We don't rush you through appointments. We don't write off symptoms. We listen.

Treatment at MJB typically includes:

• Antipsychotic medication — the foundation of schizophrenia treatment
• Long-acting injectable options for patients who prefer not to take a daily oral medication
• Pharmacogenetic testing — particularly valuable in schizophrenia where finding the right antipsychotic often requires multiple trials
• Coordination with case managers, family members, and therapists when desired
• Treatment of co-occurring conditions (depression, anxiety, substance use) which are common
• Regular follow-up appointments to monitor symptoms, side effects, and quality of life
• Respect for your goals — work, school, relationships, independence

Medications and pharmacogenetic testing

If medication is part of your plan, MJB Holistic offers in-house pharmacogenetic testing — a simple test that helps your provider tailor psychiatric medications to your specific body chemistry. Patients who use pharmacogenetic testing are roughly 2.5 times more likely to achieve remission, with fewer side effects and fewer trial-and-error medication switches. The test is often free for patients depending on insurance, with results in 3 to 5 business days. Learn more on our pharmacogenetic testing page at mjbholistic.com/genetic-testing.

Family involvement

With your permission, we welcome family members and care partners to be involved in your care. Schizophrenia recovery often benefits from a strong support system, and education for family members is part of the care we offer.

What to expect at your first visit

First appointments are 60 minutes. We'll talk through your symptoms, history, current medications and how they're working, and what you want from treatment. If you have records from a previous psychiatrist or hospital, bring them or have them sent. We'll never push you to share more than you're comfortable with on the first visit.

Frequently asked questions about schizophrenia treatment

Are antipsychotic medications addictive?

No. Antipsychotics don't cause physical dependence the way some other medications do. However, stopping them suddenly can trigger a relapse of psychotic symptoms, so any taper or change should be done carefully with your provider.

What are the most common side effects?

It depends on the medication. Older antipsychotics can cause movement-related side effects. Newer ones can cause weight gain or metabolic changes. Some are sedating; others are activating. Side effects are real, manageable, and worth discussing — finding the right medication often involves trying a few. We monitor for side effects at every visit.

Will I be on medication forever?

Most patients with schizophrenia do best on long-term medication. Stopping antipsychotics is the leading cause of relapse. That said, the right dose can change over time, and we'll always work toward the lowest effective dose.

Can I work, drive, and live independently with schizophrenia?

Yes — many patients we treat do all three. The goal of treatment is to give you the most independent, fullest life possible.

Do you accept Maryland Medicaid?

Yes. We accept Maryland Medicaid and DC Medicaid, which is important because long-term schizophrenia care can be expensive without insurance. We also accept TriCare and Humana Military for service members and veterans.

Insurance and payment

MJB Holistic accepts a broad range of insurance plans:

• Aetna
• Cigna
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• UnitedHealthcare
• Humana Military
• TriCare
• Johns Hopkins
• Maryland Medicaid
• DC Medicaid
• Peach State Health Plan (Georgia)

If your plan isn't listed, contact us — we work with patients on out-of-network coverage and can provide superbills for reimbursement.

Telehealth across Maryland

In addition to in-person care at our Upper Marlboro office, we offer secure telehealth appointments through Spruce — a private, healthcare-focused platform built specifically for behavioral health. Telehealth is available across Maryland, with limited availability for patients in Washington DC and Georgia depending on Melveena's licensure in your state.

Schedule your consultation

If you're ready to take the first step toward schizophrenia treatment, you can book an appointment online through our patient portal at mjbholistic.intakeq.com/booking, call us at (301) 381-3622, or email info@mjbholistic.com. New patients are welcome and most appointments are available within 1 to 2 weeks.

MJB Holistic & Therapeutic Services, LLC is a Maryland-based psychiatric practice serving Upper Marlboro, Bowie, Largo, Lake Arbor, Mitchellville, Glenarden, and surrounding Prince George's County communities — plus telehealth across Maryland.