In an ideal world, children wouldn’t have to deal with the problems of depression and anxiety, loss and grief, alcohol and drugs or serious mental illnesses. Unfortunately, young age does not protect children from these issues, and as parents there are limitations as to what we can do to minimize the impact of these problems. Also, younger age makes it harder for children to identify these problems and communicate them to parents and others. That’s where we can help you and your child.
After running a combined practice of psychotherapy and medication management for 10 years, I decided to focus primarily on the latter. As you know there is a nationwide shortage of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists, so I decided to devote most of my time to this relatively scarce skill. Nevertheless, my focus remains on the overall treatment of your child.
My belief is that at this point medication is only an adjunctive treatment for most children. Therapy and learning new skills are usually the most important factors for long-term success and growth. In that regard, I wholeheartedly support the use of my colleagues’ psychotherapy skills to accomplish the things that medication treatment cannot address.
My goals are to make sure your child’s situation or condition is properly assessed and understood, that we understand what you and your child want to achieve, and that with our combined efforts we try to help you attain your goals realistically. I have found, in years of experience, that there are many situations where medications are extremely helpful. In other situations their use is potentially harmful or contraindicated. As an expert my goal is to inform you of the relative risks and benefits of treatment, guide medication treatment if necessary and, just as importantly, stop medication when a stable condition is achieved.
My practice of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry began in 1987. After completion of nine years of medical school, residency and fellowship training, I practiced inpatient care for 11 years at Heritage Oaks Hospital. I led the UC Davis Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatient Training site for four of those years ending in 1999. Subsequently I accepted a consulting role as Medical Director at a large non-profit program. There I focus on the Child Protective Services and Early Prevention Screening Detection and Treatment Programs that target treatment to children under those Federal Programs. I also treat Children and supervise Therapists in local Psychiatric Group Homes. I have maintained a private practice for 14 years.
Forms:
Initial Patient Questionnaire
