My Treatment Approach

 

My philosophy is rooted in integrative psychiatry, which focuses on addressing the whole person rather than just symptoms. My goal is to empower you with the tools and strategies you need to achieve optimal mental health. By combining diverse approaches, I aim to address the root causes of your concerns and support you in living a fulfilling and balanced life.

Wellness Beyond the Office

My commitment to your mental health extends beyond the consultation room. I incorporate general wellness strategies into our treatment plans, including:

• Diet: I tailor nutritional advice to support physical and mental health, recognizing the role of the gut-brain connection in mood regulation and cognitive function.
• Exercise: I encourage regular physical activity, which in addition to its general health benefits has also been shown to be as effective as medications in improving some mood and anxiety disorders. I also provide movement strategies which can help correct the muscular imbalances and tightness that are so common in modern life.
• Socialization: I support patients in forging and maintaining meaningful relationships, as well as navigating the inevitable challenges that come with all relationships. I believe these connections to be foundational to the human experience and essential to psychological wellbeing.
• Hobbies: Studies support that the cultivation of fun and engaging hobbies can have a meaningful impact on psychiatric symptoms. I will work with you to identify and incorporate these activities in your life.
• Meditation: I often integrate mindfulness and meditation practices to help manage stress and cultivate emotional resilience.
• Sleep: As an essential function that has been conserved across the entire animal kingdom, I have deep respect for the physiologic importance of sleep for physical and psychological health. Promoting consistent, restful sleep is a cornerstone of health and and emphasis of my practice.

Digital Wellness and Media Balance

An academic and clinical interest of mine is understanding the role that the internet, social media and other aspects of modern life play in our experience of the world, our sense of self and our emotions. A growing body of evidence suggests that these tools, despite their many marvels, have the potential to negatively impact our mental health and can disrupt our ability to maintain focus for extended periods. I believe that in today’s digital age, managing media consumption and device use is crucial for mental wellbeing. I help patients find balance in their digital lives by addressing:

• Mindful Media Consumption: I work with you to develop strategies for mindful media use, helping you become more aware of how your digital interactions affect your mood and overall mental health.
• Healthy Device Habits: I guide you in establishing healthy boundaries with your devices, encouraging practices that minimize screen time and reduce digital overwhelm.
• Promoting Offline Activities: I emphasize the importance of engaging in offline activities that foster real-world connections and personal fulfillment, such as hobbies, exercise, and face-to-face interactions.

I also utilize behavioral therapies, sometimes in conjunction with evidence-based medications and supplements for helping people with various forms of problematic or addictive digital media use (i.e. social media addiction, online shopping addiction, pornography addiction, video game addiction, etc.)

Psychotherapy: The Power of the Therapeutic Relationship

Foundational to my practice is the belief that the human connection within therapy is a powerful catalyst for change. The therapeutic relationship itself can be transformative, offering a space for self-discovery, growth, and healing. As such, my primary goal in any patient encounter is to establish trust and authenticity between us.

I primarily utilize psychodynamic therapy, which I feel is best suited for this type of transformative work. Psychodynamic therapy is a method grounded in exploring the deep-seated emotional and psychological patterns that influence behavior. This approach emphasizes understanding how past experiences shape current thoughts, feelings, and relationships.

While psychodynamic therapy forms the core of my approach, I am not dogmatic and will also draw on my experience with other treatment modalities to meet your unique needs. These may include elements of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure-based therapies and other evidence-based practices to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. Even for patients who “only” see me for management of their psychiatric medications I try to incorporate these practices to enhance the effectiveness of medication.

Psychiatric Medications When Needed

For many, psychiatric medications are a vital component of treatment. When appropriate, I carefully prescribe and monitor these medications to ensure they are used effectively and safely as part of your comprehensive treatment plan. In addition to conventional treatments, I use evidence-based supplements to support mental health. These supplements are selected based on scientific research and personalized to fit your specific needs.