I am a psychiatrist in private practice in San Rafael and Walnut Creek, California. I specialize in comprehensive, individualized care for adults with a variety of mental health conditions, including mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder; anxiety; PTSD; obsessive-compulsive disorder; attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); eating disorders; addictions to alcohol, drugs, food, and behaviors; and lifestyle problems pertaining to relationships, life transitions, grief and loss, and inability to achieve one's personal goals.
I aspire to keep up to date with the latest developments in psychiatry, and I am open to a multifaceted treatment approach, not restricting my treatment to medication management. I serve as Editor-In-Chief of The Carlat Psychiatry Report, which introduces me to novel treatments and to leaders in the field of psychiatry and psychology. I also write and maintain the Thought Broadcast blog.
My Approach
I believe in developing an individualized treatment plan for each patient, which capitalizes upon each person's distinct strengths while identifying the areas in which further growth is necessary or desired. I provide medication management as well as ongoing psychotherapy. I absolutely respect each individual's feelings regarding medications, and I will work with each patient to establish a treatment plan that is acceptable to both patient and physician, as I believe this is essential for treatment success. When medications are prescribed, I wish to help the patient understand the impact of such interventions on his or her life, as well as the areas in which medications will have little or no effect.
Independence
In my years of practice, I have noticed that patients often complain that they don't want to become "dependent" on a drug, or dependent upon long-term psychiatric care. However, psychiatrists often inadvertently perpetuate this belief, often encouraging "lifelong" treatment and terminating care only when a patient chooses to leave or when one's benefits run out.
My goal with all patients is to reach a point where they do not need my care and can proceed with their lives. This may happen quickly, or it may occur over many years. It may require intensive therapy, medication management, or a combination of these. It may involve care by several professionals, with whom I am eager to collaborate. I fully believe in the ability of most individuals to recover from their current mental distress and to emerge more competent, self-sufficient, and empowered than before.
I am also willing to work with patients on complicated medication combinations to reduce, streamline, or eliminate unnecessary or harmful regimens.
Fees and Insurance
For the sake of my patients' convenience and confidentiality, I do not accept insurance. I operate on a fee-for-service basis only. Many patients can receive reimbursement for a portion of my services through their out-of-network mental health benefits. Please call (415) 484-2258 or contact me via the link at right if you have questions or would like more information.