FAQs

No. In 2023, 1 in 12 Americans experienced depression at least once, and this number was approaching 1 in 5 for ages 18-25. Yet, almost 40% did not or could not access treatment. 

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The stigma of mental health is strong and pervasive. We don't think twice to see a primary care doctor when dealing with an ailment, or an orthopedist for a fracture. Mental health issues lie on a spectrum and may be transient one-off events, recur from time to time, or be chronic, just like all other medical issues.

Psychiatrists (MD or DO) are physicians who have completed medical school and further specialized training in mental health. These are the only types of mental health professionals who are "physicians" and "doctors," in the clinical use of the word. Psychiatrists complete, at minimum, four years of medical school and four years of residency, with several (such as myself) pursuing additional fellowship training. This translates to around 17,000 hours of clinical training.

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Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are nurses with training following their Registered Nurse (RN) training. Increasingly, across the country, NPs are permitted to practice independently, but are not psychiatrists nor physicians. Clinical training, including school hours, is far below that of doctors. NPs are often good choices in less complex clinical cases, maintaining a stable medication regimen, etc.

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Other therapists are not physicians, rather have completed other training programs and have degrees such as MFT/LMFT, SW/ASW/MSW/LCSW, PsyD, PhD, etc. Many may have additional specializations based on their clinical training, such as working with couples, working with families, etc. These therapists cannot prescribe medications and do not have the same level of understanding of medical/surgical/neurological issues that bidirectionally affect mental health as physicians.

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All are important in the provision of healthcare. However, if this is your first step into psychiatric treatment and/or treatment with past providers has not gone as well, I recommend a psychiatrist to help clarify the diagnosis and set forth an appropriate treatment plan.

18 and older

Payment is by credit card (any accepted by Stripe). Payments are integrated into the patient portal of my electronic medical record system.

I am an out-of-network provider for insurance plans. I will provide a receipt (superbill) for each visit, which you can submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement. Please ask your insurance provider for details and reimbursement rates.

Please understand that given my limited clinic hours, no-shows and late cancellations unfairly prevent others from receiving treatment. No-shows will be charged the full session rate, and will be due at the start of the next appointment. Cancellations will be accepted until 48 hours in advance, after which the above no-show policy will apply.

Absolutely not. If you think you may benefit from treatment and are interested, please give me a call.