How I Practice
Psychodynamic Psychiatric Care
When we begin our work together, my first priority is creating a space where you feel safe enough to be fully honest about whatever is troubling you without fear of being rejected or judged. Using both therapy and, when needed, medications, we will explore the difficult emotions and symptoms beneath your suffering. Together, we will work to resolve problems and move towards a life of greater self-acceptance, security, and joy.
What Is Psychodynamic Psychotherapy?
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is based on the understanding that much of our emotional life exists outside of our conscious awareness. Beginning in childhood, we develop patterns of thinking, feeling, and relating that help us navigate relationships, manage overwhelming emotions, and adapt to our environments. While these strategies once served an important purpose, they can become overly rigid or maladaptive, leaving us feeling stuck, disconnected from ourselves, or unable to experience life with the sense of joy and security we long for.
In psychodynamic therapy, we work together to better understand these unconscious patterns and loosen the grip they have on how you experience yourself and others. Change is both liberating and challenging; even when our familiar ways of living cause suffering, they often provide a sense of safety and familiarity. Moving beyond them can stir up feelings like anxiety, guilt, anger, shame, or grief.
For this reason, our work is grounded first and foremost in the therapeutic relationship we build together, allowing you to feel safe enough to express difficult thoughts and explore painful emotions without fear of being judged or rejected. As this process deepens over time, many patients discover a greater sense of freedom that allows them to take risks, step outside familiar patterns, and discover new, more satisfying ways of living and relating.
Why Work With a Psychiatrist?
As a psychiatrist, I approach emotional suffering through both a psychological and medical lens. Our thoughts, emotions, relationships, and biology are deeply interconnected, and lasting healing often requires considering all of them together. My training allows me to evaluate how factors such as medical conditions, sleep, hormones, substance use, or medications may contribute to your symptoms, while also exploring the deeper emotional patterns that shape your experience. I also work closely with primary care physicians and other specialists when appropriate, helping to ensure that your emotional and physical health are considered together rather than in isolation.
When I recommend medications, I view it as one tool among many—not a replacement for understanding yourself or a quick fix, but something that can reduce suffering, help you feel more like yourself, and create space for meaningful psychological work. Some patients benefit greatly from medication, while others may not need it at all. I also frequently collaborate with patients' existing therapists, providing psychiatric evaluation and medication management in tandem with the psychotherapeutic work you are already doing. This integrated approach allows us to create a treatment plan that is individualized to your specific needs.
If you are interested in working together, please get in touch.
I like to start with a free 15 minute introductory phone call for us to learn more about each other and discuss whether we might be a good fit.