Treatment Philosophy

While medications can play important role in the treatment of mental illness, I believe that lasting healing involves psychotherapy. During my psychiatry training I spent time learning from both classical Freudian psychoanalysis and Jungian analysis. I found that learning from both approaches helped me to integrate Western medicine and Eastern philosophies. I support meditative and spiritual practices in those who have interests in these areas.

Although I do prescribe, most clients that I treat are not on medications. I believe that medications can be helpful in certain situations though I am always mindful of reducing or discontinuing them as soon as my clients and I feel that life can be managed without them. In sum, I view the therapeutic relationship as the agent which leads to lasting change, while medications can be helpful in the short term.

Lastly, I see my role in a treatment relationship not as a healer, but as someone who can use my skills and experience to help people engage their inner healer, to heal themselves. In other words, I see the goal of treatment as to one day not need psychotherapy or medications.