Services

The first and most crucial step in receiving the appropriate mental health treatment is a thorough psychiatric evaluation to rule out any underlying mental illness. During this process, I take special care in obtaining your “life story,” which in turn, enables me to have an intelligent and informed discussion with you about your issues and the most effective treatment choices for you. If there are any issues or situations which you feel uncomfortable discussing during the initial psychiatric evaluation, please let me know beforehand.

The initial assessment entails the following:​

• Detailed description of your current symptoms, life circumstances, and concerns that have compelled you to seek out treatment for a potential mental illness.
• Extensive review of past mental health treatment, including prior psychotherapy, medication trials, hospitalizations, and substance abuse history.
• Special attention is paid to the description of any patterns in behavior, coping styles, and mood changes that have evolved from childhood to the present and may have had an impact on your mental health.
• Medical history is obtained including a detailed family history of any mental illness treatment.

During the initial visit or subsequent sessions, if it is determined that medication may be helpful in relieving your distress, various options will be discussed. I am dedicated to spending time educating you about your treatment options and addressing all of your concerns regarding your mental health.

Please refer to My Medication Philosophy for more information.

I provide 30-minute individual psychotherapy sessions, usually in conjunction with medication therapy. Although psychiatric symptoms may frequently be due to genetics, life’s hardships, losses, and traumas can also have a profound impact on your mental health. If appropriate, these issues will be addressed as part of your treatment. If you require longer sessions or more frequent visits you will be given the option of seeing my associate Sandra Lafazan LCSW.

Sandra Lafazan LCSW helps parents having issues with their children, as well as couples who have hit an impasse and feel disconnected. Many clients come to therapy to help facilitate an amicable break-up, or for assistance with co-parenting solutions.

Many clients who are already in psychotherapy, but are having difficulty working on their issues due to intense anxiety, depression, or mood swings, are referred for a psychiatric evaluation and medication management only. In such cases, I am more than happy to work with your psychotherapist to ensure that ALL of your needs are addressed.

To enhance the quality of your mental health treatment we are pleased to offer video and phone appointments, These sessions are especially helpful for patients with busy schedules, lack of child care, acute or chronic illness and travel difficulties. If you have put off getting help for any of these reasons please take advantage of this convenient and accessible form of mental health care.