Question 1

What types of issues can you help with?

Accepted Answer

Medication has the potential to help with a wide range of mental and behavioral health challenges, including depression, anxiety, insomnia, mania, PTSD, ADHD, substance abuse, and psychosis.

Treatment is individualized to target the symptoms that are most disruptive to your daily rhythms.

Question 2

Do you provide therapy?

Accepted Answer

The primary treatment I offer is medication management. During the course of an appointment, I may provide brief psychotherapeutic interventions aimed at reducing reliance on medication or improving treatment adherence.

Patients are often encouraged to engage in long-term psychotherapy with an outside therapist.

Question 3

Is care provided in person or online?

Accepted Answer

Both options are available. In general, patients may choose in-person visits or secure tele-health appointments, depending on preference and availability.

Sometimes, I may insist on in-person visits to support safety monitoring with certain high-risk medications. It is also important to note that a minimum of one office visit per year is required when prescribing controlled substances.

Question 4

Do I have to take medication?

Accepted Answer

No. Medication is never required. Treatment decisions are made collaboratively, and medication is considered only when appropriate. If medication is discussed, risks, benefits, and alternatives are reviewed so that you can make an informed choice.

Question 5

What is trauma-informed care?

Accepted Answer

Trauma-informed care is an approach that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and emphasizes the creation of a safe environment to prevent re-traumatization. It requires a shift in focus from “What is wrong with you?” to “What has happened to you?” promoting a more compassionate, patient-centered approach to care that builds on these core principles: safety, trust, peer-support, empathy, collaboration, choice, and empowerment.

Question 6

Do you work with patients who have substance use concerns?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I welcome individuals who are navigating substance use concerns and I take a harm reduction approach to supporting you with your goals. Many people self-medicate when underlying mental health needs go untreated. Medications can directly reduce cravings for certain addictive substances, and medications can reduce underlying mental health symptoms that contribute to substance abuse.

Question 7

What is a harm reduction approach?

Accepted Answer

A harm reduction approach recognizes that complete abstinence from substances may not be someone’s goal when they seek treatment. Research demonstrates that incremental behavioral changes are more sustainable over time. Holding ourselves to a standard of absolute abstinence can be discouraging when we don’t measure up, leading to additional problems with self-esteem and motivation to stay engaged with treatment.

A harm-reduction approach tailors interventions to minimize the harmful effects of substances use while centering the person who uses substances as the expert in what positive change may look like for them, with the goal of improving health and overall wellbeing.

Question 8

Do you take insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A current list of accepted insurance plans is available on the Costs & Coverage page. Self-pay options are also available for those who prefer greater flexibility, privacy, or whose insurance is not accepted.

Question 9

What can I expect during the first appointment?

Accepted Answer

The initial visit is a collaborative conversation focused on understanding your concerns, history, and goals. Together, we’ll begin discussing next steps, with no pressure to make an immediate decision about treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions