Areas of Expertise
Evaluations for Autism or ADHD
Although ADHD and Autism both begin manifesting in childhood, sometimes individuals with one of these conditions reach adulthood without having been evaluated and diagnosed. These individuals with undiagnosed ADHD may feel they are not reaching their full potential. People with Autism may wonder why they have trouble connecting with others or why others don't see the world the way they do. I have experience conducting comprehensive evaluations for ADHD, Autism, and other related conditions. Additionally, before entering medical school, I worked as a teacher and had many students with ADHD or Autism. (Please note that I am not a child and adolescent psychiatrist so I can only evaluate people 18 and older.) After receiving a diagnosis, some people need treatment and some do not. I can provide psychotherapy and/or medication, but requesting an evaluation does not mean you must continue with treatment.
Chronic Illnesses and Disabilities
I specialize in providing psychiatric care for people with non-psychiatric chronic illnesses and disabilities. People with chronic illnesses and/or disabilities face a unique set of challenges as they navigate their lives. These individuals may wrestle with questions like:
How do I acknowledge fears about worsening health without them spiraling into uncontrolled anxiety or depression?
How do I accept the physical limits of my disability while pushing back against the limits of other people’s unreasonably low expectations of me?
How do I know if a symptom I’m experiencing is due to my psychiatric condition or my non-psychiatric chronic illness?
How can I live a meaningful and fulfilling life?
People with disabilities such as spinal cord injuries, Cerebral Palsy, deafness, blindness, muscular dystrophies, and others often must grapple with the emotional consequences of being excluded by inaccessible settings or belittled by ableist discrimination. People with chronic illnesses such as Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Long Covid, Cystic Fibrosis, chronic pain, MES, Epilepsy, Crohn's Disease, severe food allergies, Diabetes, and many others can feel alone or misunderstood by those around them. Friends, family members, or even healthcare providers may have little knowledge about a rare (or not so rare) disability or illness and have trouble imagining the subjective experience of someone with that condition. I have experience working with people with many disabilities or chronic illnesses, and while I can’t promise I know a lot about every condition, I am willing to learn and to listen.
Substance Use Disorders
I was fortunate to attend a residency program at a hospital with excellent and extensive services for people with substance use disorders. I spent much of my time working on floors and learning about addiction recovery from everyone involved: RNs, social workers, attending physicians, CASACs, and most importantly patients. I’m able to offer psychotherapy and/or medication management for people in or entering recovery.
Depression and Anxiety
Depression and anxiety disorders can plague a person’s life and make it difficult or impossible for an individual to do what they want to do and be who they are. I help individuals find relief from symptoms, understand their depression and/or anxiety, and live healthier, more meaningful lives.