Integrative and Functional Psychiatry is whole person psychiatry. It aims for a sense of wellness at all levels - emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. It is a holistic approach to mental health care that considers the biological, lifestyle, environmental, social, and psychological factors contributing to symptoms.

What does "integrative” mean?

Integrative psychiatry is oriented around mind-body connection rather than mind-body split, with a goal that goes beyond symptom-relief. We aim for a sense of wholeness of mind, body and spirit.

Integrative psychiatry is the overarching philosophy for how I practice, combining conventional psychiatric treatments with complementary therapies .

What is functional psychiatry?

Functional medicine is an approach within Western medicine that investigates the root causes of illness by examining the complex interactions between genetics, biochemistry, environment, and lifestyle. In psychiatry, this means looking beyond symptoms alone to understand how the following factors impact mental health and brain function:

• nutrition

• gut health

• hormones

• inflammation

• toxin burden

• trauma

Conventional Western medicine doctors typically assess symptoms and apply evidenced-based treatment protocols for your diagnosis. Functional psychiatry builds on this foundation by using precision medicine approaches to look at how your unique biology, environment, and lifestyle intersect, allowing for a more individualized treatment plan.

Precision medicine is an emerging approach that means tailoring the treatment specifically to your body rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Care is guided by a combination of laboratory assessments, research evidence, and clinical reasoning.

A functional psychiatry approach can be especially helpful for chronic symptoms that conventional Western medicine struggles to treat - such as fatigue, "brain fog," or treatment-resistant depression - because it targets the underlying biological imbalances that may be preventing your body from functioning optimally.

What does this look like in practice?

Functional medicine considers the complex interactions between body systems and the physiology driving symptoms. For example, if you are struggling with depression, we might approach treatment this way:

• prescribe anti-depressant medication when appropriate, based on psychiatric research

• use supplements that have evidence for symptom relief and support for physiological functions

• order laboratory tests to assess micronutrient levels, which provide the building blocks for making neurotransmitters, as well as genetic factors that influence metabolism

• explore dietary factors or gut concerns that may impair digestion and absorption of micronutrients

• evaluate inflammatory contributors, such as autoimmune conditions or chronic infections, that may trigger neuroinflammation

• explore past trauma impacting nervous system regulation and consider ways to help regain a felt sense of safety

Thinking physiologically and working with this personalized information helps us target treatments more precisely for your body and respond to your individual needs.

In my practice, this work is always held in the context of a supportive relationship as the foundation for good medicine and nervous system health.

The goal of therapy is to help you connect with the depth and fullness of who you are as a human being and to open more fully into your life. For all of us, relationships are one of the places we can become most wounded and closed, and they are also one of the most powerful vehicles for healing.

I practice psychodynamic therapy, which is a relationally-oriented therapy that looks to explore unconscious processes and prior emotional experiences that are impacting your present relationship with yourself and others. We work within the framework of our relationship to learn about patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that may have helped you cope earlier in your environment but that no longer fully serve you today. I also incorporate mindfulness and somatic practices where appropriate.

In our work together, I strive to gain a deep and personal understanding of who you are and where you are struggling. Bringing greater awareness to these processes together can help you feel deeply seen, remove obstacles, and allow you to make more conscious choices in your life. The goal is for you to feel more alive and satisfied in your relationships, work and daily pursuits. Through this process of reflection and exploration, we can support you to make practical positive changes in your life.

We may meet weekly or multiple times per week to provide the framework needed to hold this deeper work.

For Individuals Seeking Guidance

I offer consultation appointments for individuals who want a second opinion, deeper understanding of their diagnosis, or clarity about treatment options. This can be helpful if you've been struggling with symptoms that haven't improved with treatment, you're unsure whether your current approach is right for you, or you're looking for a more comprehensive assessment that considers both psychiatric and functional medicine perspectives.

A consultation can also be valuable when you're already working with another provider—such as a primary care physician, OB/GYN, or therapist—but would benefit from a specialized psychiatric evaluation and treatment recommendations to inform your care.

During a consultation, I take time to understand your history, current symptoms, and treatment goals. I'll provide my clinical impressions, discuss potential underlying contributors to your symptoms, and offer recommendations for next steps.

I value collaborative care and am happy to work alongside your existing treatment team.

For Healthcare Providers

I provide consultation to medical and mental health colleagues seeking input on patient care, drawing from my experience in conventional psychiatry, psychodynamic psychotherapy, geriatrics, and integrative/functional medicine. This may include:

• Assessment and diagnostic clarification

• Treatment planning for treatment-resistant cases

• Psychodynamic perspectives on case formulation and therapeutic relationship dynamics

• Thinking together about patients in psychotherapy to help deepen treatment, navigate impasses, or explore transference and countertransference

• Integrative and functional medicine perspectives on psychiatric symptoms

• Collaboration on patients with complex medical and psychiatric comorbidities