There is a range of treatments and interventions that address mental health problems and facilitate the development of a state of mental health and well-being. It is important that the right treatment or intervention is provided at the right time, in the right setting, and that it is personalized to your needs. As physicians with advanced specialization, psychiatrists are uniquely qualified to discuss the entire range of treatment options available for addressing mental health problems, including psychotherapy, medications and neuromodulation (use of devices to address neural pathways believed to be involved in mental illness). I provide psychotherapy and prescribe medications judiciously, when indicated. I tailor my approach to each person’s needs, circumstances, values, and preferences. If you may benefit from a treatment, or an intervention that I am unable to provide, I will make an appropriate referral. I do not provide medication only services in a split treatment model, where you already see another psychotherapist.
An advantage of seeing a psychiatrist for both pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is that psychological and biological factors contributing to mental health issues are explored and addressed in an integrated framework. Seeing two different people for psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy creates an artificial mind-body split and compartmentalization of experiences that may be difficult to integrate in a coherent self-story and sense of wholeness. A potential disadvantage of seeing a psychiatrist for combined treatment is the cost of treatment.