How do you describe your therapeutic approach?
I guide patients to explore emotional experiences stretching across their lifespan, emphasizing self-concept, relationships, strengths, and vulnerabilities. I use psychodynamic concepts and occasionally draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Exposure and Response Prevention.
What research areas are you interested in?
As an active basic science and translational researcher, I am interested in how the brain changes over time. Specifically, I investigate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity. I hope to apply my laboratory findings to augment transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to better treat depression and OCD. I am also developing a concierge psychiatric service for the prevention of depression and anxiety, two of the most common disorders impacting mental health.
What inspired you to get into psychiatry?
Throughout my medical training, whether in medicine or surgery rotations, I naturally gravitated toward patients who faced some degree of mental health challenge. Through many years of research and practice, I have come to believe that the path to true well-being requires a deep inquiry into mental life, emotional experiences, and social engagement.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
I derive a sense of admiration and wonder from witnessing my patients undergo personal transformation, growth, and increasing freedom in their lives. As a lifelong learner, I continue to find truth in the medical school adage: “Patients are the best teachers.”