I am an adult psychiatrist with a background in psychodynamic psychotherapy and mentalization-based treatment. I work with adults who want a thoughtful, collaborative process for making sense of their symptoms, relationships, life experiences, and treatment options. My practice may be a good fit if you are looking for more than a quick medication change or immediate symptom relief. Getting to know what has brought you in—and what may be contributing to your concerns—takes time. Medication is not always started at the first visit. I aim to develop a treatment plan with you that is careful, individualized, and grounded in a fuller understanding of your situation.
A strong working relationship is central to treatment. In my view, it means:
- We are both invested in the work and in building a productive relationship.
- We have a shared understanding of what we are working toward.
- We agree on how we will work together to get there.
My ultimate goal is to cultivate an ongoing relationship with you as your psychiatrist that is built on these three foundations. They are important for treatment to be effective. If we are not able to build them together, it may be best to consider a different approach or psychiatrist who feels like a better fit.
If you are seeking an ADHD evaluation, I take time to look at the whole picture. Difficulty with attention can be related to stress, sleep problems, mood or anxiety symptoms, trauma, medical conditions, or other life circumstances. Stimulant medications are not right for everyone with attention concerns and can be harmful in some situations. A careful evaluation is important before deciding whether they are appropriate.
If your care with a previous psychiatrist has been interrupted, I understand that you may be looking to re-establish treatment and continue medications. At the same time, diagnoses made or medications started by another clinician may not always be appropriate to continue without further evaluation. Depending on your situation, this may include reviewing prior records, speaking with collateral contacts when appropriate, reviewing or obtaining laboratory testing, and coordinating with an established primary care clinician. This process, including medication decisions, may take more than one visit.
My practice is not designed for people who need a higher level of care, such as inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization programs (PHP), intensive outpatient programs (IOP), or specialized eating-disorder or substance abuse treatment. I may also not be the best fit for people with complex medical needs, chronic benzodiazepine treatment, or active substance-use concerns that need more intensive or specialized support. When another level or type of care would better meet your needs, I will help direct you to an appropriate treatment setting.