I am subspecialty board-certified in addiction psychiatry. This means that I am an expert in helping individuals overcome addictions to substances including alcohol, opioids, sedatives, stimulants and marijuana. I am particularly attentive to the interaction between addictions and co-occurring conditions, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, trauma, ADHD, and chronic pain.
I work extensively with young adults and whose lives have been derailed by addiction, and work closely with parents who are trying to help their child recover and move forward. I am also experienced working with high-functioning professionals suffering from addiction who value discretion and flexible, personalized treatment.
I help my patients choose the safest and most comfortable treatment that suits their life circumstances. Addiction is a complex, neurobiologically-based phenomenon that can impact multiple levels of functioning: physical, emotional, family, social, spiritual, occupational, economic and legal. My treatment approach begins with assessing the entire person, including his or her environment and support systems. I strive to take a non-judgmental stance, since I know that addiction is not a moral failing, but rather a set of learned behaviors and experiences that individuals who want to change can overcome. The key to this change is a therapeutic relationship grounded in understanding and compassion.
I specialize in state-of-the-art, scientifically proven psychotherapies for addiction, including motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy and twelve-step facilitation. I can also prescribe medications to help individuals comfortably initiate abstinence and prevent relapse, including Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) and Vivitrol (injectible naltrexone) for opioid use disorder. For appropriate patients, I offer outpatient detoxification from alcohol, opioids and sedatives.
I provide personalized treatment in a comfortable, private setting. This is different from the majority of clinic- and hospital-based programs, where group therapy is the norm. I facilitate participation in groups and twelve-step programs when it makes sense as part of an individually-tailored treatment plan. I can also provide referrals to a number of high-quality ouptatient, inpatient and residential treatment programs, if there is a need.