My Approach
As your clinician, I commit to embrace the advancements of modern medicine while leveraging the wisdom of our botanical past. That, in a nutshell, is Integrative Psychiatry. You can learn more about Integrative Psychiatry here.
True healing involves every part of you. Modern science and ancient wisdom agree that brain health is strongly influenced by our microbiome (intestinal health), seasonal changes, and the quality of our relationships. As we develop your treatment plan we will discuss conventional prescription medicine alongside evidence-based, complementary modalities.
inspired psychiatric care ipc
~ Sleep ~
In my treatment hierarchy, sleep is second only to safety. It’s that important! Lack of sleep causes symptoms that masquerade as mental illness, from depression, anxiety, & ADHD to delusions and hallucinations. There’s a reason that prolonged sleep deprivation is considered a form of torture! We’ll take a look at factors impacting sleep and include them in your treatment plan. If medication is necessary, we’ll find one that won’t over-sedate you.
~ Lab Tests ~
Science has found correlations between vitamin deficiencies, inflammation, and mental health symptoms such as depression and anxiety. So, maybe everyone should just take a multivitamin? Not so fast! Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body so it’s possible to take too much of an otherwise ‘good thing’. And, not everyone can effectively utilize man-made formulas. Testing allows us to identify precisely where you’re deficient.
~ Supplements ~
Strategic use of supplements can be an effective way to support good mental health by addressing nutritional gaps and supporting the body’s natural healing processes. Deficiency can be caused by any number of things, including long-term use of certain medications. The supplement industry is minimally regulated, so choosing reliable brands is critical. I partner with Fullscript to give you access to vetted brands at a discount.
~ Exercise ~
Is this one your favorite? Good! Me too <eye roll>. In all seriousness, if exercise is hard for you my assumption is it’s because you lack the energy for it. Most of us are naturally active when we feel mentally and physically well enough. So, let’s start chipping away at those symptoms and clear a path toward moderate movement. It really will help you feel better….when you feel well enough to do it.
~ Genetic Tests ~
Genetic testing can be helpful when there is a history of poor response to past medications-either because they didn’t work at all, or because they caused unpleasant or dangerous side effects. This kind of testing gives insight into how your body breaks down (metabolizes) medicines commonly used in psychiatry and can be very useful in guiding our decisions. Learn more about genetics here.
~ LDN ~
Naltrexone is an FDA-approved medication used to treat opioid addiction. In much smaller doses made by a compounding pharmacy, low-dose naltrexone (LDN) stimulates the body to increase production of natural endorphins. The result can be an improvement in symptoms of depression, anxiety, bipolar spectrum, or PTSD. It can be especially helpful for clients with chronic pain or autoimmune disease and is usually well tolerated due to the low dose.
~ Diet ~
Foods can be healing. They can also contribute to inflammation, compromised immunity, brain fog, depression, and anxiety. Based on your history and symptoms, we’ll explore ways you can use your diet to feel better- within the limitations of your current job and lifestyle.
~ MTHFR Test ~
MTHF what? So glad you asked! MTHFR is the abbreviation for a gene that makes the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. MTHFR plays a pivotal role in the body’s ability to convert folic acid (vitamin B9) into a form of folate used by the body to make proteins and other important compounds. MTHFR has been linked to increased risk of conditions such as depression, anxiety, autism, bipolar spectrum, and ADHD.
~ Prescriptions ~
In some cases, prescription medication is the fastest way to feel better. A few of them even help heal the brain. As I learn more about you, I will suggest options appropriate to your situation, goals, and symptoms. After you choose the one that sounds best, a small dose will be prescribed on a trial basis with instructions on what to expect. We’ll work on other strategies at the same time, and those may limit how much medicine you need over time.
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
Appointments & Details
Please be aware of the following financial practices:
I am a direct-pay practice, also known as out-of-network with insurance. There are several advantages to this, including the ability to spend more time working toward solutions with clients. I can also offer more timely follow-up appointments, usually within a week. On request, I will provide an itemized superbill (receipt) that can be used to claim any out-of-network benefits your plan offers.
In most cases, your insurance will cover your prescription medications and common laboratory tests. Many plans cover at least a portion of genetic testing. It is your responsibility to verify the terms of your insurance plan prior to agreeing to treatment.
I do not offer a sliding scale. I accept all major credit/debit cards, HSA/FSA cards, and CareCredit, which offers special deferred-interest financing for healthcare expenses.
90-Day Care Plans
Clients who start with a 90-day Care Plan tend to make progress the fastest due to the structured nature of the Plans. The main difference is that paying in advance makes it easier to return on the recommended schedule, which is usually every 2-3 weeks until symptoms start to respond. You can view plans for ADHD to get a general idea of how they work. If you do not have ADHD but want to consider a Care Plan, we can discuss custom options during your free introductory phone call.
A La Carte
For those who prefer a more self-directed approach, I offer the following consultation types. In addition to reserving time to hear your story, I use comprehensive questionnaires to help gather key details from you in advance. Because I review your questionnaires before we meet, I start each conversation with context.
If you’re unsure which appointment is the right starting point for you, schedule your free introductory phone call anyway. We’ll figure it out together!
Essential I
$500 90 minutes
May be best for you if:
You are new to psychiatric treatment or past treatment has provided pretty good relief
Symptoms have a negative impact on important relationships and interfere with performance at work or school
Your physical health is generally good
You have one or two primary symptoms or conditions to discuss
You are open to considering psychiatric medicines in addition to integrative strategies
Essential II
$750 120 minutes
May be best for you if:
“Traditional” treatment hasn’t provided relief
Medicines tend to cause a lot of side effects
You have multiple psychiatric diagnoses, your diagnosis is unclear, or you think you have been inaccurately diagnosed
You have a medical history complicated by symptoms of chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, gut issues, or autoimmune disease
While you prefer holistic strategies, you are open to considering psychiatric prescriptions too
Follow-up Appointments
$200
Medication management for symptoms under good control
Up to 25 minutes in length
$300
Medication management with integrative strategies, lifestyle coaching, and/or psychotherapy
Up to 50 minutes in length
$400
For those who desire additional time to delve into complex topics
Up to 75 minutes in length
What My Clients are Saying
What My Clients are Saying
“After I left today I felt a huge breakthrough and feel hopeful things are going to continue to improve.”
“I’ve been in summer school. I’m doing pretty good! I’ve harnessed my emotions and kept them in.”
“I appreciate the thought you put into figuring out what will help each of us.”
“As always, I really appreciate the depth and availability of your practice. It makes a really big difference.”
