Treating the whole person makes sense, doesn’t it? Yet that hasn’t been at the foundation of medical education. More and more research has shown us, however, that a holistic approach to mental health—and health, in general—is much more effective than a purely biological approach. For the last 20 years, Dr. Forest has made a holistic, integrative framework for mental health treatment the cornerstone of her practice. As a result, her patients have incredible, transformative results.
Getting to know her patients on a deeper level by combining medication management with psychotherapy allows her to consider not only the patient’s obvious symptoms, but also the ones that lie beneath: relationship problems, traumatic experiences, social issues, etc.Identifying and understanding the barriers and mindsets that have developed as a result of mental health struggles—or along with them—gives patients the opportunity to make healthy, lasting changes in their lives that support and amplify the positive changes in their mental health. And it allows for individualized intervention that incorporates medication as part of the treatment plan, instead of making it the sole factor.
If you’re already working with a mental health practitioner for psychotherapy, that’s great news! Dr. Forest works collaboratively with other healthcareprofessionals that are part of her patients’ treatment team, including primary care doctors, specialists, psychologists, therapists, etc. While healthcare practitioners are exceptionally busy these days, Dr. Forest makes every effort to coordinate care for her patients so they get the best possible outcomes.