Are you a doctor?

Yes. As a physician, I am fully licensed to practice medicine in New Jersey and New York. I attended medical school at Western University of Health Sciences-College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific NW (COMP-NW) in beautiful Lebanon, OR and graduated from medical school in 2018. I am Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN).

What is a DO?

A DO or Doctor of Osteopathy, is an equivalent degree to an MD or Medical Doctor. We receive the same training as MD’s, plus some additional training in Osteopathic Medicine. Osteopathic physicians generally believe in taking a whole person approach to treating patients. That means that as your doctor, I won’t just hand you pills for your depression and send you on your way. We’ll also talk about your general health and lifestyle, including fitness and nutrition.

What is a psychiatrist? Are you a psychologist?

A psychiatrist is a fully trained and licensed medical doctor who specializes in the treatment of mental health conditions. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication and some psychiatrists offer therapy, as well.

A psychologist is a doctorate level professional (PhD or PsyD) who has studied mental health. Psychologists may offer psychological testing to help clarify diagnoses or they may offer different types of talk therapies such as CBT, DBT, ACT, or psychodynamic therapy. However, psychologists are not medical doctors and in most states, they cannot prescribe medications.

In many cases, psychiatrists and psychologists work closely together to help patients meet their goals.

Can you be my primary doctor?

I recommend that all my patients have a primary care doctor (PCP) or pediatrician. While we may talk about many aspects of your health, my expertise is helping you with your mental health. I can coordinate with your primary care doctor to help make sure that we are treating all of your concerns, or help you find a primary doctor who will be a good fit for you.

How often do I have to see you?

Initially, most patients see me about once a month. Once we make progress with your treatment plan and you are starting to feel better, we can decrease the frequency of appointments. Please note that for patients receiving controlled substances, I am required by law to see you at least once every 90 days (approximately four times per year) in order to continue refilling your prescription.

Are you going to prescribe medication to me or my child?

The decision to prescribe medication is unique to each patient. We will work together to create a treatment plan that works to meet your goals. For some patients, medication is an important part of that treatment plan, along with other techniques. Not every patient will need medication as part of their treatment plan.

Do you accept insurance? Why do you charge that much?

I am an Out of Network provider which means I do not accept insurance. My fees reflect the high level of care that I strive to provide to my patients. Your time, money, and energy is an investment into your mental health care and I believe you deserve to have a doctor who will give you their full attention during each appointment. I can provide you with an invoice that you may submit to your insurance company. With out-of-network benefits, many patients end up paying little more to see me than they would for an in-network provider. I believe that financial hardship should not stand in the way of people receiving access to mental health care. Please contact me to discuss if you may be a candidate for a financial hardship fee.