Approach

I aim to be welcoming, nonjudgmental, transparent and collaborative in my work. Many carry shame and blame related to their mental health struggles, or those of a loved one, and can have strained relationships as a result. To quote a dear colleague, "we are only as well as we are well-connected".

 

I start all treatment relationships with a thorough assessment. We will then meet to discuss my thoughts on any mental health diagnoses and discuss recommendations for treatment. At the end of the initial consultation, if my recommendations make sense and the relationship seems like a good fit, we will develop a treatment plan.

 

Depending on your presenting concerns and treatment goals, I may recommend medications and/or psychotherapy.  With few exceptions, I do not believe medication management alone (in the absence of psychotherapy) leads to healing. If you are already well connected with a therapist with whom I can collaborate regularly, I will be providing a limited amount of medication management visits in my practice. The decision to take medication can be a significant one, and often having one provider who can help guide you in medication decisions, manage side effects and provide regular psychotherapy works best.

 

I incorporate psychodynamic principles and behavioral interventions in my work but also lean on narrative and attachment-focused family therapy models. None of us live in a vacuum and we all experience stressors and resulting symptoms in the context of our families and our environments. Bringing loved ones into a treatment often leads to the best outcomes.