Psychiatric Evaluation
Making psychiatric diagnoses can be challenging as patients may present with issues in multiple domains of their lives. One may suffer from abnormal brain processes that can result in mood changes, unusual thought processes or odd mental phenomena such as hallucinations or delusions.
Another may have a difficult time coping with life tragedies or traumas and yet others may present with problematic behavioral issues in sleeping or eating. Often, patients face multiple difficulties and seek clarity in diagnosis. This is why our process begins with a thorough evaluation.
We first try to understand the whole person before focusing on the presenting problems. Our evaluation is designed to gather detailed information about different aspects of a person’s life starting with early development. It also includes detailed psychiatric and medical histories.
We use “The Perspectives of Psychiatry” developed at The Johns Hopkins Hospital to arrive at an initial diagnostic impression (to learn more about this approach, please refer to this article).
Diagnoses may include:
- ADHD (Adults)
- Anxiety Disorders (such as Social Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder)
- Mood Disorders (such as Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder)
- Psychotic Disorders (such as Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder)
Specialized, Expert Care
We focus on disorders of mood, anxiety, and attention, with a special emphasis on bipolar conditions. This concentration gives us more experience, better understanding and enhanced therapeutic abilities in these core diagnostic areas.
Not Just Medications
Unlike many psychiatric practices that mainly use medication, we recognize that our patients are more than just symptoms and diagnoses. People seek us out for help with life challenges and adjustments of all kinds—sometimes related to their disorders, sometimes not.
We’ve each received extensive post-graduate training in psychodynamic psychotherapy to help us address these other psychological needs. Our ability to combine precisely calibrated biological treatments with psychotherapeutic care enables us to join our efforts at symptom control with those promoting self-understanding, character growth, and personal agency.
Clinician-Scholars Providing Advanced, Research-Driven Treatments
As academically-oriented, research-informed practitioners, we incorporate the newest biological and psychotherapeutic developments into our treatments, which are innovative and constantly evolving. We value being ahead of the curve. We do this through our dedication to ongoing education, teaching and scientific research.
High Caliber Care In A Private Practice Setting
We are a small group of six psychiatrists. Our practice is arranged to maximize privacy and confidentiality. Our clinical work is personalized and specific.