One widely cited study* found an “effect size” — a measure of treatment benefit — of .97 for overall psychiatric improvement in patients suffering from depression and anxiety and treated with psychodynamic therapy. A typical effect size for treating the same conditions with cognitive-behavior therapy is .68. The typical effect size for antidepressant treatment alone is .31.

Psychopharmacology employs the full breadth of psychiatric medications to help mitigate needless distress. I work with patients to develop a medication regimen that is as simple, elegant, and effective as possible while avoiding unnecessary side effects. I typically prescribe with a thoughtful and conservative approach. Sometimes, I work with compounding pharmacies to find personalized prescription solutions.  

Functional medicine takes a web-like systems biology approach to ask why and how disease occurs. It focuses on identifying underlying causes, looking to the gut-brain axis, and the neuro-endocrine-immune system as nodes to modulate function. Measured recommendations utilize interventions such as activity and movement, food plans, laboratory studies, and nutritional supplements. Recommendations may also include mind-body interventions including meditation, guided imagery, self-hypnosis, breathwork, and relaxation exercises.

EMDR is a structured psychotherapy that encourages a patient to briefly focus on a difficult memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, alternating sounds), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with that memory. Bilateral stimulation facilitates a “dual awareness” between the challenging memory and the present moment, allowing engagement with these memories without becoming easily overwhelmed. EMDR is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy proven to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms. Ongoing research supports positive clinical outcomes, showing EMDR as a helpful treatment for anxiety, depression, panic, phobias, chronic pain, addictions, and other distressing life experiences.

Medical hypnosis is a collection of methods that enable mind and body to share information more effectively. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis; patients are always able to make choices in accordance with their best wishes, ethics, morals, and values. One common method is the utilization of trance: the process of creating an inner experience of focused consciousness that allows body and mind to share information. Hypnotic trance is a familiar state, much like a daydream, during which you remain aware of who you are and what you are doing while cultivating a vivid inner experience. Hypnosis can be a useful alternative to medication for rapidly reducing psychiatric and physical symptoms, especially in cases of anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy applies mindfulness-based meditation to a clinical context. Mindfulness is the combination of focused attention — directing and sustaining your attention, noticing when your mind wanders, and gently redirecting it back to focus — and moment-to-moment awareness — acknowledging but not reacting to every aspect of your current experience. These practices inform helpful insights and strategies.