SERVICES
Evaluation & Diagnosis
In an initial visit, I spend 60-90 minutes with a new patient to talk about their needs and goals as well as past and present mental health symptoms, past and present medications, prior diagnoses, medical history, and family mental health history. Receiving a mental health diagnosis can result in feelings of relief, self-understanding, sadness, grief, anger, or a combination of all of the above. I do not rush to assign a diagnosis. Every patient is a unique individual with a unique life story and not merely a collection of symptoms or diagnoses.
Functional Psychiatry
Functional psychiatry is often described as treating the “root cause" of mental health symptoms. These root causes can include, among others:
Low levels of nutrients that the brain needs to produce neurotransmitters
Poor sleep (sleep is the foundation of mental health!)
Genetic factors that contribute to symptoms and response to medications
Functional treatment includes testing (blood, hair, and/or urine) and recommended changes in lifestyle, nutrition, and use of nutritional supplements. Functional approaches alone are not the right answer for every patient, every symptom, or every diagnosis. And I recognize not everyone has the privilege of paying out-of-pocket for specialized functional testing or treatments. I make an effort to recommend testing and supplements that are most likely to have the greatest impact on each individual’s symptoms.
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Disordered Eating & Eating Disorders
In a culture that overtly values some bodies over others, it can seem rare to find someone who doesn’t have a complicated relationship with food or with their body. Some people meet the criteria for a specific eating disorder, while others simply find themselves on a dieting merry-go-round or with excessive cravings or food aversions. There are few medications specifically approved for eating disorders. However we know that certain symptoms often come in pairs or clusters. For example, those with anorexia nervosa are more likely to also experience obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and people with binge eating symptoms are more likely to have ADHD or alcohol overuse. Additionally, functional approaches can replenish low nutrient status and increase the brain’s capacity to produce the chemicals needed for good mental health. If you experience significant restriction or symptoms of purging, I look forward to joining your medical and therapy professionals as part of your team. I am committed to challenging fat-phobia and strive to create a treatment environment that is comfortable for all bodies.
Medication Prescribing
For many, medications are a integral part of achieving and maintaining improvements in mental health and daily functioning. Medications can be life-giving, but can also be frustrating or problematic when patients experience side-effects or have tried multiple medications without benefit. In these cases, I like for patients to complete genetic testing through Genomind to aid me in making individualized recommendations based on gene-drug interactions.
Reproductive Psychiatry
Reproductive psychiatry is caring for the mental health and medication needs of individuals as related to the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding, and perimenopause. Some people are significantly impacted by the hormonal shifts that occur during these reproductive phases and can experience impaired mood, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, suicidal thoughts, or even hallucinations or delusions as a result. Those with Bipolar Disorder are particularly at risk. If you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, I encourage you to consult with a reproductive psychiatric specialist to have a complete discussion regarding the risks of medication versus the risks of untreated mental health conditions during this time.
