Can a psychiatrist do psychotherapy? 

Short answer: Yes, we can. But an unfortunate trend in large healthcare delivery systems is that it is considered inefficient for a psychiatrist to provide therapy, and they are often encouraged to focus on “biological” interventions such as medications. 

 

Board-certified psychiatrists trained in the United States must finish medical school and then complete a 4 year residency in psychiatry. The American College of Graduate Medical Education sets guidelines for all medical specialty residency programs. ACGME psychiatry residency program guidelines require residents to treat psychotherapy patients, including those seen weekly, and participate in multiple outpatient treatment modalities that incorporate developmental, psychological, social, and biological approaches. Specific requirements are determined by each program, but must include exposure to different approaches like psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy and supportive psychotherapy. During my residency, I took every opportunity available to have more clinical supervision and sought outside training in psychoanalytic theory to help me better understand my patients. 

 

I previously saw you as my psychiatrist, can we just resume the work we were previously doing?

Unfortunately in transitioning into private practice, I no longer have access to your medical records from previous employers, and we will need to go through the process of a formal treatment initiation, including diagnostic assessment and treatment planning. 

Please note: I am also no longer working as part of a large system with wrap-around services available, and I may not be able to meet your needs as a solo provider. I will be as transparent as possible if this is a concern. I want to make sure you are getting the most appropriate care available. 

 

What does a first visit look like?

This may vary depending on the treatment you are looking for. In most cases, we will do a full formal diagnostic exam to review current symptoms, treatment history, and your biographical narrative including personal and family history. 

For psychoanalytic treatment, the diagnostic evaluation can be an ongoing part of the first months of treatment, which is why this treatment modality is billed differently. 

 

I’m not sure what sort of treatment I’m looking for.

That’s not a question. But we will discuss potential options, including the options that I think would be most helpful for you based on my training and experience. The recommendation may include a referral to a different provider or a suggestion to seek a specific treatment that I do not provide (such as EMDR or DBT). 

 

What happens if I don’t think we’re a good fit? 

Let me know, and we can talk about it. You won’t hurt my feelings. It might make sense for me to refer you to another provider, or it might be an opportunity to explore why you don’t think it’s a good fit and how that might help us understand you better. 

 

What is psychoanalysis? 

https://apsa.org/about-psychoanalysis/

 

How are you able to practice psychoanalysis?

I am in training as a psychoanalytic candidate at the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute, which means that for a certain number of “control” psychoanalyses, I meet weekly throughout the treatment with a supervising faculty member from the Institute to discuss your case. I have been working with psychoanalytic supervisors for my clinical cases since 2014. 

 

How does psychoanalysis work virtually?

The structure of a virtual psychoanalysis is quite similar to in-person treatment, in that we maintain a consistent treatment frame of meeting at the same time and for the same duration. The fundamental rule remains that you say everything that comes to your mind without censorship, judgement or deliberate organization. All from the comfort of your own couch. 

 

What sort of supervision do you offer?

I offer individual and group supervision (4-6 therapists/session) for psychotherapists who are interested in developing a deeper understanding of how underlying psychodynamics affect their patients, which can be a useful and helpful perspective to add to particularly challenging or stuck cases, regardless of treatment modality. 

I also offer practice management supervision to early career psychiatrists, which can include psychopharmacology and psychotherapy. 

Frequency of supervision can be variable, including discrete individual consultations (2-3 sessions, spaced weekly) or ongoing supervision with sessions every 1-2 weeks.

Note for trainees: as a licensed psychiatrist, supervision with me would not count toward supervisory requirments for  psychologists, social workers or counselors in training. 

 

Office Phone: 715-227-4884