Commonly Asked Questions:

Do psychiatrists have training in therapy?

YES!! Like other therapists and psychologists, the exposure and supervision in evidence-based therapies are variable. For example, I received training at a fellowship that had DBT, CBT and family focused therapy. It is unfortunate that there is a myth psychiatrists only prescribe meds. We are all required to do both medication management and psychotherapy in our training. However, after training, I know psychiatrists who do exclusively medication management and others that do psychotherapy only. What I love about psychiatry is there is freedom to choose. Whereas therapists and psychologists do therapy but cannot prescribe medications, psychiatrists can prescribe medications AND do therapy. *Note: in some states psychologists do prescribe meds after obtaining additional training

Will my child have to be prescribed medications if they are seeing a psychiatrist?

No. Taking medications is a decision agreed upon by caregivers, the physician and the youth (based on their level of understanding). I will never pressure you to give your child medications. In fact, I don’t believe it is a healthy experience of psychiatry. Efforts are made to include children as much as they can understand in the process. I try to include teens as well in decision-making. However, because they are minors, parents/caregivers must be available to provide consent.

What is a D.O. and how is it different from other medical providers (MDs, NPs, PAs)?

Not only is my last name Do, but I have a degree that makes me a double DO. =) . I earned my medical degree (D.O.) from an osteopathic school. In America, there are two types of medical doctors: MDs and DOs. Both go through the rigorous training of medical school followed by a residency that trains them to prescribe medications and do other forms of evidence based treatments. Osteopaths have additional training in neuromuscular medicine (NMM) formerly known as osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) to diagnose and treat illness. I liken my training in osteopathic medicine to a whole-person approach that focuses on preventative care and figuring out the underlying cause of illness rather than just treating symptoms. I also appreciate how with osteopathic medicine there is a belief in the importance of balance in the body, mind and environment. Providers assist in correcting these imbalances as well as honoring the body’s natural ability to heal itself. I incorporate OMM in my psychiatric practice by meeting the person where they are at, partnering with them in treatment and taking a holistic approach that includes lifestyle changes.

Why don’t psychiatrists in private practice take insurance?

Some psychiatrists take insurance in their private practice but you will find a majority do not unless they work in a group practice or a larger institution. There are many reasons for this and every psychiatrist has their own reasons. My private practice is small so I do not have the infrastructure to support with communicating to multiple insurance companies about claims. Moreover, I have chosen to do private practice because I want to do more psychotherapy. Being paneled with insurance companies can limit how psychiatrists provide care because they get compensated more to have a medication management practice rather than a psychotherapy practice. In my work with community based agencies, we take Medi-Cal but I am asked by employers to do medication management only. My private practice is old-fashioned, idealized psychiatric care: between the doctor and patient (without insurance dictating care) and allowing the psychiatrist to do medications and therapy (not needing to split care with therapists).