SERVICES
Psychiatric Evaluation & Consultation
Psychotherapy
Medication Management
Virtual Visits
We will begin with an initial comprehensive assessment incorporating information from the initial call, our in-depth interview, your intake paperwork, and any additional information such as collateral information or medical records from your previous providers. The assessment may require 2-4 sessions for me to perform a comprehensive evaluation of your needs. By the end of the comprehensive assessment, I will be able to offer you some initial impressions of what our work might include. At that point, we will discuss your treatment goals and create an initial treatment plan. You should evaluate this information and make your own assessment about whether you feel comfortable working with me. If you have questions about my procedures, we should discuss them whenever they arise. If it is found that you have particular needs that require a different area of expertise, I will be happy to help you find a provider better suited for your particular needs.
We will begin with an initial comprehensive assessment incorporating information from the initial call, our in-depth interview, your intake paperwork, and any additional information such as collateral information or medical records from your previous providers. The assessment may require 2-4 sessions for me to perform a comprehensive evaluation of your needs. By the end of the comprehensive assessment, I will be able to offer you some initial impressions of what our work might include. At that point, we will discuss your treatment goals and create an initial treatment plan. You should evaluate this information and make your own assessment about whether you feel comfortable working with me. If you have questions about my procedures, we should discuss them whenever they arise. If it is found that you have particular needs that require a different area of expertise, I will be happy to help you find a provider better suited for your particular needs.
Therapy is a relationship between people that works in part because of clearly defined rights and responsibilities held by each person. As a client in psychotherapy, you have certain rights and responsibilities that are important for you to understand. There are also legal limitations to those rights that you should be aware of. I, as your therapist, have corresponding responsibilities to you. These rights and responsibilities are described in the following sections.Psychotherapy has both benefits and risks. Risks may include experiencing uncomfortable feelings, such as sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, frustration, loneliness and helplessness, because the process of psychotherapy often requires discussing the unpleasant aspects of your life. However, psychotherapy has been shown to have benefits for individuals who undertake it.
It is my philosophy that every patient can benefit from at least one style of therapy and therefore each patient will initially receive therapy sessions along with medication management. Therapy often leads to a significant reduction in feelings of distress, increased satisfaction in interpersonal relationships, greater personal awareness and insight, increased skills for managing stress and resolutions to specific problems. But, there are no guarantees about what will happen. Psychotherapy requires a very active effort on your part. In order to be most successful, you will have to work on things we discuss outside of sessions.
Therapy is a relationship between people that works in part because of clearly defined rights and responsibilities held by each person. As a client in psychotherapy, you have certain rights and responsibilities that are important for you to understand. There are also legal limitations to those rights that you should be aware of. I, as your therapist, have corresponding responsibilities to you. These rights and responsibilities are described in the following sections.Psychotherapy has both benefits and risks. Risks may include experiencing uncomfortable feelings, such as sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, frustration, loneliness and helplessness, because the process of psychotherapy often requires discussing the unpleasant aspects of your life. However, psychotherapy has been shown to have benefits for individuals who undertake it.
It is my philosophy that every patient can benefit from at least one style of therapy and therefore each patient will initially receive therapy sessions along with medication management. Therapy often leads to a significant reduction in feelings of distress, increased satisfaction in interpersonal relationships, greater personal awareness and insight, increased skills for managing stress and resolutions to specific problems. But, there are no guarantees about what will happen. Psychotherapy requires a very active effort on your part. In order to be most successful, you will have to work on things we discuss outside of sessions.
While medication can have an important role in recovery, it is not my first option. Some patients in my practice may never receive a prescription medication. However, in cases where symptoms are moderate to severe and affecting one or more aspects of a patient’s functioning, medications may be indicated. This is something that we can discuss over many visits and weigh out the pros and cons of the addition of medication. For many patients, lasting change takes place through the combination of psychotherapy and medication management. Medications may decrease symptoms to a manageable level where psychotherapy can be tolerated and impactful.
If it is in your best interest, we will discuss medication options and review their method of action, uses and side effects. It will be given for a trial period to see if it is effective and monitored over a course of time to determine if the medication is helping you. Follow up appointments for medication management during earlier stages of treatment might occur more frequently such as every 1-2 weeks. Once you feel comfortable with your medication and dose, we can decrease the frequency to every 1-3 months. The duration of our follow up visits for medication management varies depending on the stage of treatment between 45 minutes in more complex cases and 30 minutes for quicker check-ins. I will also provide brief action-oriented supportive psychotherapy. If you are in treatment with a therapist, I will collaborate with them closely to ensure that you are making progress toward your goals.
While medication can have an important role in recovery, it is not my first option. Some patients in my practice may never receive a prescription medication. However, in cases where symptoms are moderate to severe and affecting one or more aspects of a patient’s functioning, medications may be indicated. This is something that we can discuss over many visits and weigh out the pros and cons of the addition of medication. For many patients, lasting change takes place through the combination of psychotherapy and medication management. Medications may decrease symptoms to a manageable level where psychotherapy can be tolerated and impactful.
If it is in your best interest, we will discuss medication options and review their method of action, uses and side effects. It will be given for a trial period to see if it is effective and monitored over a course of time to determine if the medication is helping you. Follow up appointments for medication management during earlier stages of treatment might occur more frequently such as every 1-2 weeks. Once you feel comfortable with your medication and dose, we can decrease the frequency to every 1-3 months. The duration of our follow up visits for medication management varies depending on the stage of treatment between 45 minutes in more complex cases and 30 minutes for quicker check-ins. I will also provide brief action-oriented supportive psychotherapy. If you are in treatment with a therapist, I will collaborate with them closely to ensure that you are making progress toward your goals.
VIRTUAL VISITS
TIMES ARE CHANGING…
Delivery of psychiatric care has been evolving beyond the traditional “couch therapy” model. The COVID-19 pandemic allowed many industries to see that virtual delivery of service was possible. The mental health industry was able to reach a broader audience by allowing clients virtual access to providers. By providing sessions online, following up with a psychiatrist has become more accessible, more convenient, and more comfortable for you. Telehealth also makes it possible for me to provide care to patients throughout New York and New Jersey who have not been able to find a psychiatrist or therapist they connect with in their area.
I offer both therapy and medication management through a secure video platform. Everything would be the same except we would link via your laptop, tablet or smartphone from a location of your choice.
TIMES ARE CHANGING…
Delivery of psychiatric care has been evolving beyond the traditional “couch therapy” model. The COVID-19 pandemic allowed many industries to see that virtual delivery of service was possible. The mental health industry was able to reach a broader audience by allowing clients virtual access to providers. By providing sessions online, following up with a psychiatrist has become more accessible, more convenient, and more comfortable for you. Studies have shown that mental health care conducted virtually is equivalent to in-person care in terms of accuracy of diagnosis, effectiveness of treatment, quality of care, and patient satisfaction. Although teletherapy will present some differences from an in-person visit, rest assured that you can still speak to me about anything that’s bothering you in a safe and secure environment. And just as during an in-person visit, I will be able to listen to you, offer guidance and feedback, and help you achieve your desired goals. I offer visits through a HIPAA compliant and secure video platform. Everything will be the same as an in-office visit except we would link via your laptop, tablet or smartphone from a location of your choice.
TIMES ARE CHANGING…
Delivery of psychiatric care has been evolving beyond the traditional “couch therapy” model. The COVID-19 pandemic allowed many industries to see that virtual delivery of service was possible. The mental health industry was able to reach a broader audience by allowing clients virtual access to providers. By providing sessions online, following up with a psychiatrist has become more accessible, more convenient, and more comfortable for you. Telehealth also makes it possible for me to provide care to patients throughout New York and New Jersey who have not been able to find a psychiatrist or therapist they connect with in their area.
I offer both therapy and medication management through a secure video platform. Everything would be the same except we would link via your laptop, tablet or smartphone from a location of your choice.
