Whether you are seeking psychiatric care for the first time or have prior treatment experience, welcome! I believe in a patient-centered, collaborative process, customized to each individual’s needs. Using a holistic approach with respect for patient preference, I offer both psychotherapy and medications to target symptoms of concern. I treat adults with a wide range of difficulties, such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, history of trauma, relationship conflict, work problems, family dysfunction, medical illness and unresolved grief issues.
Psychiatric treatment is a partnership. Similar to choosing partners for life or business, “fit” matters. That fit involves mutual trust and an environment that is safe and free from judgment. I approach patients with respect for them and the work we do, recognizing that psychiatric treatment is a challenging, though highly rewarding, endeavor.
Toward the end of treatment, a former patient made the following observation: “Therapy has been like a river rafting expedition. You’ve been my guide, but we wouldn’t have gotten here without me paddling all the way.” I’ve used this insightful analogy many times over the years, as it encapsulates my belief in the collaborative nature of therapy.
The trust required for patients to share their lives and struggles is not lost on me. In teaching young physicians about professionalism in medicine, I quote Dr. Thomas Inui’s essay, A Flag in the Wind: “In the end, it is not because we have special knowledge and technology that we can be trusted—instead, we are trusted only if this knowledge and technology is firmly attached to values that are explicit, understood, and (when push comes to shove) altruistic. We not only need to be trusted, we need to deserve the trust of our patients and the public.”
It is a privilege to work closely with patients to meet their desired goals and optimize their health and wellness.