In a “person-centered” practice, each patient is treated as an individual with unique needs and concerns that will influence and direct any treatment decisions. This is the approach I’ve followed in my private practice for over a decade, and it’s helped countless people find solutions that go beyond “good enough” and let them get back to living their best lives.
While symptoms can be catalogued and categorized to establish a reliable diagnosis, that is only a starting point for treatment. I provide a customized approach for each patient tailored to their specific needs.
Some of the factors I consider when working with patients to create an effective treatment plan:
- Emotional and biological struggles and needs
- Personality and habits
- Social engagement and relationships
- Professional goals and employment
- Family and life situation
We’ll spend time talking about what other factors we should consider and explore all avenues of treatment and support available. Together, we’ll choose solutions that work best for you as an individual.
Because I value the privacy and confidentiality of my patients, I’ve chosen to keep my office staff to a minimum. For the most part, you’ll be talking directly to me to schedule appointments, discuss questions about your treatments, or request emergency support. When you arrive for your appointment, I’ll be the one to greet you. Billing and insurance claims (and issues) are handled by my assistant, who works off-site.
First-time patients
During our first meeting, we’ll cover a lot of ground including your family and medical history as well as your goals and expectations for treatment. I believe in educating my patients so we’re on the same page when it comes to your diagnosis and what outcomes you can expect with and without treatment. After all, trust and transparency are crucial if we’re to work together as a team!
We’ll go over what options are best for your lifestyle and preferences, and we’ll evaluate the benefits and side effects of different medications and what types of support you’ll need along the way. Medication is only one part of your treatment, though. Psychological therapy, behavioral and lifestyle changes, and a variety of new and alternative approaches will be on the table for you to consider as we build your roadmap for recovery and healing.
You’ll leave this first appointment with a customized treatment plan and clear direction on your next steps.
Medication Management
This is the primary reason why most people see a psychiatrist. As medical doctors who specialize in the treatment of mental health conditions, we can diagnose and prescribe medication for our patients. When used thoughtfully and appropriately, medication can be a critical part of any treatment plan.
Based on your diagnosis and our discussion, we’ll decide if medications should play a role in your treatment. Then we’ll start with the smallest practical doses and make adjustments based on your experience. Side effects are a reality of most medications, but they shouldn’t interfere with your life and well-being. Many will wear off over time as your body adapts. With clear communication and patience, we’ll find the right combination that has the most positive impact, with the least amount of discomfort.
Medication shouldn’t be the only part of your treatment plan, however. If you already have an established relationship with a psychotherapist you trust, I’ll integrate our work together with your current goals in therapy. I can make recommendations for psychologists and therapists for those who do not yet have a therapist. I also offer attachment-based psychotherapy, EMDR, and other therapeutic techniques to support my patients in reaching their goals.
Follow-up
When you return, we’ll review your treatment plan and how it worked for you. If medication was part of your treatment, we’ll discuss how you felt and any side effects you may have experienced. Good communication is key to finding the right dosages and addressing the most frustrating symptoms. Your treatment plan isn’t set in stone–we can make changes or tweak our goals as we go.
Second Opinion Evaluation
If you’ve been on the same medications for a long time without adjustment or your current provider has certain preferences that you feel may preclude other options that may be available, you may want to seek out a second opinion.
Together, we’ll create a detailed plan outlining ways to increase the efficacy of your current treatment, other psychopharmacological interventions that might be considered, and suggested resources for improving your overall treatment outcomes. Often, other specialists should be involved to treat issues that may or may not have been mentioned previously but need to be addressed.
For various reasons, you may not be ready or able to make adjustments to your current medical and mental health support team, so our goal will be to energize and optimize your current treatment. I consider this type of appointment a one-time-only evaluation.
Frequency of visits
This will vary based on your treatment plan, but typically, new patients will have scheduled follow-up appointments 1-2 weeks after our initial consultation. After that, we’ll book check-in appointments every 1-2 months to make sure your treatment plan is working and any medications are having the intended effect. Most long-term patients are scheduled for 2-3 month check-in appointments.