Treatment:
My initial goal in treatment is to build a trusting relationship. Once this partnership is created, we can work together to explore thoughts, feelings, and identify challenges. It is my hope that we can mutually create a safe setting where challenges can be faced, difficult emotions explored, and where triggers to maladaptive behaviors can be identified.

At appropriate times, adding medication to therapy can be critical to success. Medication may decrease harmful behaviors, thoughts and feelings, and may even be necessary to regain health and mental and physical well being.  There are many misconceptions about psychiatric medications, especially for those prescribed to children.  I am conservative in my approach to medication with any patient. My priority is what makes the healthiest sense for each patient.

For children, significant disruptions in their emotional health may affect academic performance, professional achievement, and relationships with family and friends. As a child psychiatrist, I am able to apply my developmental perspective in my work with children and adolescents.

I am mindful of how development plays a role in a child or adolescent’s presentation and how it might impact symptoms and his or her ability to function at school, with peers or within the family. Because children and adolescents may present differently in various settings, I find it vital to collaborates closely with pediatricians, schools, and other providers in the community.

While my main area of focus is on individual treatment, I am also able to provide second opinions, guidance for schools, and consultations to other mental health professionals.