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An integrative approach to psychiatry is one that recognizes no one approach alone can contain all answers or solutions. As such, it is a stance that recognizes intrinsic uncertainty and honors multiple views at once. For example, we can view someone’s depression as a biological phenomenon rooted in reduced neuroplasticity and synaptic loss as well as a lack of meaning and spiritual disconnect. In this case, both models make widely different assumptions and describe different approaches to truth. Further, an integrative approach to psychiatry also involves utilizing interventions outside of pharmacology alone, such as supplements, nutraceuticals, psychotherapy, and various lifestyle interventions.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy is an approach to psychotherapy that works at a relational level. It is a long-standing tradition that dates back to the invention of psychotherapy in Western society, however, continues in relevance for its efficacy in addressing trauma disorders, baseline personality traits, and deeper unconscious processes. I have extensive psychodynamic training from my time in residency and continue my training as a transference-focused psychotherapy fellow at Columbia Psychoanalytic Institute.

In many cases, the full extent or “score” that trauma has caused can go unrecognized for much of someone’s life. While not a specific treatment in itself, one’s specific history of trauma must be thoroughly accounted for in all aspects. My prior and ongoing experience working at Sierra Tucson, a premier treatment facility for trauma disorders, has led me to have a vast understanding of trauma and its effects on the person. I am particularly prepared to help guide patients through childhood, sexual, and religious trauma histories.

In this modality, we will aim to address underlying personality traits that lead to significant personal and interpersonal dysfunction. This is a structured psychotherapy requiring thorough evaluation and twice-weekly meetings. This modality was designed specifically to address borderline-personality disorder, however, is effective in many other instances. The specific details of this will depend on each person’s situation.

Integration therapy is a burgeoning field. While most psychedelic-assisted therapies are under current investigative research, ketamine and esketamine are now widely used for treatment resistant depression. Much of the efficacy of these treatments depends upon the integration process which is only recently being clearly defined and standardized. I have formal experience in psychedelic research and ketamine treatment. Right now at Continuum, I am able to provide integration therapy for those receiving ketamine from other treatment facilities.

Dreams have long been held as a means to deeper understanding; from indigenous cultures to Freudian psychoanalysis, their role is pivotal in the human experience. However, dreaming is vastly underemphasized in modern society and psychiatry. In many senses, dream therapy, dream journaling, and promotion of lucid dreaming is a "natural" means to the same unconscious content that is aimed to be accessible by psychedelic-assisted therapy, which is not yet FDA approved as a clinical treatment. For most, explicit work with dreams will not be the first goal, but will inevitably come up as long-term therapeutic work ensues. At these times, various supplements and medications can be utilized to modulate the dream process with the goal of fostering deeper understanding and psychotherapeutic change.

Mindfulness is a very simple concept with massive potential. For ADHD and inattention concerns, this will be one of the key interventions integrated alongside medication management.

Tapering, as a concept, refers to a safe and personalized process by which someone comes off of psychiatric medications. There is no one-size fits all approach to this, and in many cases, going slowly is the key. However, my approach to tapering is an integrative way can greatly ease the process by comprehensively recommending supplements, adding psychotherapy, or using other medications to support the taper.

Religious trauma can cause long-lasting effects that might not be recognized as trauma in many settings. One of the most detrimental components of religious trauma is the inability for those affected to feel safe engaging in community and spiritual practices. In many cases, the concept of spirituality is immediately reminiscent of abusive situations. The continuum of religion and spirituality is a personal one, however, being able to address it at all requires one to work through specific traumas from the past.

In many cases, supplements are the better first line biological intervention over medications. I will help guide and manage supplement choice and sourcing. My time in residency at the University of Arizona involved a year-long curriculum in integrative medicine through the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine.