I am a board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist and have been practicing medicine in Virginia Beach since 2013. I have primarily worked in the Hampton Roads area treating patients in an outpatient mental health private practice. In addition, I spend time working in a child and adolescent behavioral health hospital. While I have the ability to treat patients of all ages, my practice specializes in the treatment of children, adolescents, young adults, and their families. I have a particular interest in treating anxiety, depression, and ADHD in these populations.
My post-graduate training includes 4 years of medical school at Nova Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine. I then completed 3 years of general psychiatry training and an additional 2 years of specialized training in child and adolescent psychiatry, all at the University of South Carolina. My medical background has provided me with the knowledge and experience necessary to perform a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation.
My philosophy centers around partnering with my patients and their families to provide comprehensive mental health care. I understand that the decision to seek help from a mental health professional can be a difficult one and I strive to provide my patients with a safe, comfortable, and compassionate experience where they feel understood and cared for.
Oftentimes, a combination of both therapy and medication is necessary to treat a patient’s symptoms. Some symptoms improve with therapy alone. For this reason, it is important to first establish care with a therapist prior to consulting with a psychiatrist. If you feel that you or your child are not making the improvements you hoped for, a consultation with a psychiatrist could be a useful and essential addition to your treatment plan.
My role in your care will be to perform a thorough evaluation and determine if medication would be a helpful treatment modality. While I am not a therapist, I do include many therapeutic elements into my patient’s care, including an emphasis on healthy nutrition, adequate sleep hygiene, regular physical activity, and tips for stress management.
Because I believe in the value of an integrative team approach, it is often important for me to collaborate with other important people in your family’s life. With your permission and when appropriate, I will be in communication with your pediatrician/primary care provider, other medical specialists involved in your care, your therapist, and your school.
I thank you for taking the time to review my website and hope that it will assist you in determining if I seem to be the right fit for you or your child.