If you are seeking a psychiatrist with special knowledge of medications for depression, anxiety, phobias or panic states, a psychiatrist who takes special care to avoid side effects, and a psychiatrist who is also an expert on effective, natural therapies, you are at the right website.

I use a client-centered approach in my practice. This means that I see our work as a cooperative undertaking. I explain benefits and risks, choices and decisions, and I encourage your input.

Many people are concerned about medication side effects. This concern is warranted. The risk of side effects with many medications is high.

A large part of the problem is that doctors are not trained to treat people as individuals. Too often, doctors prescribe the same strong doses to a 105-pound woman, an 80 year-old great-grandmother taking 15 other drugs, a 12 year-old youngster -- and a 300-pound football player. You don't have to be an expert to realize that such methods are dangerous. No wonder side effects are so frequent and severe.

Because of the high frequency of side effects with antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications, I prescribe these drugs with special care. Unlike most doctors, I use a flexible, individualized approach that frequently begins with very low doses. I select therapies and doses based on each person's individual characteristics: age, gender, size, state of health, use of other medications, history of previous problems with medications, family medication history, and other factors.