Mental Health Services Provided

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Assessments: All new patients first are seen for a thorough evaluation so I can understand their current concerns, learn about their prior history, make diagnoses and recommend treatment options. Usually this is accomplished in the first appointment, but sometimes it is beneficial to have additional assessment appointments, laboratory work, record reviews and discussion with other providers. At the end of the initial assessment, I work collaboratively with my patients to establish an individualized treatment plan. This may include therapy, medication, medical workup, or referrals for other services. Please note that an assessment does not always lead to establishing ongoing care with me: it is important to match an individual patient's needs with the right treatment setting, and it is possible that I may not be the right fit. 

Therapy: Psychotherapy can lead to some of the most deep, lasting changes to health and wellbeing. The focus of therapy can be to help relieve anxiety, mood disturbances, obsessions, insomnia or other symptoms. Sometimes the goal is to help someone with a difficult life transition, improve relationships, break maladaptive patterns or deepen personal understanding. In my approach to therapy, I draw on my training in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT, including exposure response prevention/ERP for OCD, and CBT for insomnia/CBT-I), mindfulness, interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), and psychodynamic psychotherapy. Most of my therapy patients come weekly.

Medication Management: For some individuals, medications are an important part of treatment. They can be prescribed alone, or used in combination with psychotherapy, either with me or with another provider.  I meet with my patients regularly for ongoing monitoring of effectiveness and side effects. Usually there is a period of more frequent appointments at the start of care as a new medication regimen is established. Then, if indicated and desired, appointments may be spaced out to once every 1-3 months.

Consultations: Other providers sometimes refer patients for consultations. In this case I provide assessments and then communicate my impressions to the patient's established doctor, who will then continue to provide the long term care. Psychiatrists may refer for second opinions, and primary care doctors or other specialists may refer for diagnostic clarity or treatment recommendations.