My Approach
I embrace a holistic approach to understanding the folks I work with and an integrative approach to treatment. I look at each of them as a whole person, and when possible, I look for root causes of their symptoms and develop treatment plans that are anchored in their preferences and values.
Tailored treatments, updated when needed.
The following is an illustrative example of my integrative treatment model in practice and how I often use very different treatment approaches for my patients, even when they have very similar symptoms and concerns:
Two patients make an appointment with me, and during their sessions, both express difficulty with concentration and focus…
For one patient, the approach I propose includes both finding a medication that improves attention and focus, without some of the side effects they’ve experienced before, and scheduling psychotherapy sessions with the patient to work on their social anxiety, so that they feel more comfortable in the new role they’ve taken on at work.
For another patient, with the same core concerns, I suggest a very different approach, focused on two alternative treatments: helping them address previously undiagnosed sleep issues, and starting a nutritional plan to help improve their cognitive functioning and overall wellness.
I would use both specialized lab testing — to give us a snapshot of their gut microbiome — and standard lab testing — to assess baseline nutritional markers. With these data, I am able to make much more targeted, impactful recommendations than the standard advice of “eating healthy is good for your brain, mood, etc.”
At the end of the day, I’m focused on discovering what interventions or treatments seem like the best fit for you—specific to your needs, your life, and what matters most to you.
Why work with me?
You don’t need to wait 8-9 months.
I purposely do not overbook and keep my practice small so that folks don’t have to wait weeks (or months) for an appointment. So if something comes up, symptoms change, or we need to make adjustments, let me know, and we’ll find a time to meet.
15 minutes isn’t enough time.
In my practice, I utilize longer visits. The standard 15-minute visit is rarely enough time. In my experience, rushing doesn’t usually improve outcomes. And if you’re like me, you’re probably not at a loss for opportunities to feel rushed and pressured in your life, and you’re not necessarily looking to add to that list.
My approach is very practical.
Your treatment approach shouldn’t be too difficult for you to understand. It’s important to me that I have clearly communicated what approach I think makes the most sense to try first for you, why, what risks may exist, and what the experience will be like. If it doesn’t sense to you, then I didn’t communicate it well enough, and I’ll make the time needed to do so.
Many years of experience.
It’s common in medicine that you learn from pattern recognition—seeing patients once and then following up with them again and again allows you to notice patterns over time. And learning from colleagues often works the same way. I’ve been fortunate to learn from exceptional physicians and leaders in the field, and I’ve learned immensely from my patients. All of this experience is what helps me navigate what to do and what to try when guidelines fall short, when the research is lacking, or when quite simply, your body didn’t read the textbook.
Breadth is my niche.
As much as I would love to find the one answer that just solves everything—the what, the why, the how come—I haven’t found it. As humans, we are way more complicated. Even wearing the hat of a specialist psychiatrist requires breadth.
For example, do I have additional training in ADHD? Yes. Do I have expertise in ADHD? Yes. But, am I an “ADHD doctor” (i.e., do I spend all of my time treating ADHD patients)? No. No more than someone is an ADHD person. Each person who has ADHD is more than just that one diagnosis—they’re a unique individual with many different parts. Knowing how different parts of our body communicate, as well as understanding our many psychological “parts,” helps us to guard against seeing a symptom and more importantly a person as just one thing.
My treatment recommendations are part of a conversation, not a one-sided monologue. Not only does it usually feel better to have a say in your own healthcare plan, but you are the expert on your body, not me, and your input and feedback is vital to the success of your treatment.
If I don’t know the answer, I will tell you and then work to find it out (hint: see “It’s not just me” section).
It’s not just me.
I am fortune to be a part of several communities of healthcare practitioners who frequently share challenges and offer solutions to one another, providing me with a wealth of valuable perspectives and new insights. These communities include other psychiatrists, as well as gynecologists, urologists, internists, sleep medicine practitioners, psychologists, ketamine practitioners, and spiritual healers, among many others. And these connections provide me and my patients a unique resource when we’re working together—at times when we are working in a “data free zone,” need a more nuanced approach, or are just curious :)