Integrative psychiatry means providing you options, including psychedelics.
We will explore treatment options beyond the conventional to help you thrive.
The Proactive Approachâ„
Holistic Interventions
At the core of our holistic treatment approach is the provision of personalized care that empowers individuals. We recognize and embrace the use of psychedelics for patient.
Genetic
& Biological Testing
Investigating and identifying the genetic and biological components can increase our chances of success, regardless of the struggle we face. Along with any psychedelic use, we will explore underlying root causes.
Psychotherapy
& Coaching Support
Therapy and coaching are integral parts of treatment, especially when psychedelics are used. Together, we will be a team with a common objective of improvement based on your needs, wishes, values, and goals.
Simple Treatment Plans
The objective should always be to implement uncomplicated and efficient treatment plans, including with psychedelics. Our aim is to find solutions that promote healthy changes in the context of your unique circumstances.
Book a free 15-minute intro
Patients searching for psychedelics and integrative psychiatry in the Washington DC area are offered a free 15-minute introductory appointment. During the appointment you can ask questions, get to know Ryan, and find out if this approach is for you.
Benefits of Ketamine and Other Psychedelics in Mental Health
​Ketamine and other psychedelics, are emerging as powerful tools in mental health treatment, offering new hope for those struggling with conditions that traditional therapies sometimes fail to address. Here’s why these innovative therapies are gaining momentum:
1. Rapid Relief for Depression and Anxiety
• Unlike conventional antidepressants, which can take weeks to show effects, ketamine often provides relief from depressive symptoms within hours or days. This rapid action is particularly helpful for individuals facing severe or treatment-resistant depression.
2. Breaking Patterns of Addiction and PTSD
• Natural psychedelics, especially psilocybin and ayahuasca, have shown promise in breaking addiction cycles and alleviating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They help patients confront deeply ingrained traumas and maladaptive thought patterns, paving the way for healthier behaviors.
3. Increased Self-Awareness and Mindfulness
• Psychedelic experiences often lead to profound shifts in self-awareness, which can foster greater mindfulness, self-compassion, and insight into personal behaviors. This heightened awareness can be transformative, helping individuals make lasting positive changes in their mental health and lifestyle.
4. Enhanced Neuroplasticity
• Research indicates that ketamine and psychedelics promote neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. This can be particularly beneficial for those whose mental health conditions have led to rigid, negative thought patterns, as it supports a mental “reset” that opens pathways for new, healthier perspectives.
5. Reduction in Suicidal Ideation
• Ketamine, administered in a safe, controlled environment, has been shown to reduce suicidal thoughts in individuals with severe depression. This makes it a valuable option in crisis situations, offering a safe alternative for those who might not respond to standard interventions.
6. Support for Emotional Healing and Resilience
• Psychedelics are often described as facilitating “inner journeys” that allow users to confront and process repressed emotions. This therapeutic process can lead to emotional healing and increased resilience, helping people better manage life’s challenges.
7. Lasting Effects on Mood and Well-being
• The effects of ketamine and psychedelics aren’t just temporary; many patients report lasting improvements in mood and well-being, sometimes even after a single session. For those who feel trapped by recurrent mental health symptoms, these therapies offer hope for long-term relief and improved quality of life.
Safety and Therapeutic Guidance
While the benefits are promising, it’s essential to approach ketamine and psychedelic therapies with caution and professional guidance. These treatments should be administered by trained professionals in controlled environments, as this ensures safety and maximizes therapeutic benefit.
Science Behind Psychedelics in Psychiatry
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In recent years, psychedelics have garnered significant attention in the field of psychiatry for their potential to offer relief from treatment-resistant mental health conditions. Evidence-based psychedelic therapy taps into the unique neurological effects of compounds like ketamine, psilocybin, and MDMA, which are shown to influence brain activity in ways that promote emotional resilience and reduce depressive symptoms.
Studies indicate that psychedelics act on the brain’s serotonin receptors, particularly 5-HT2A, which are linked to mood and perception. This interaction fosters neural plasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new connections—which is crucial for breaking negative thought patterns often associated with conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and even ADHD.
Emerging evidence also suggests that psychedelics, when combined with psychotherapy, can lead to sustained mental health improvements. Clinical trials highlight the potential for psychedelic-assisted therapy to accelerate therapeutic breakthroughs by allowing patients to explore deeply rooted emotional experiences in a controlled setting, often with results observed within a few sessions.
Our integrative psychiatry approach leverages these findings to offer a safe, structured pathway for patients to experience the benefits of psychedelics in a medically supervised environment, ensuring that each therapy plan is tailored to individual needs and therapeutic goals.
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1. What is integrative psychiatry?Integrative psychiatry means focusing on the whole person when selecting treatments or approaches to care. This includes medication, nutrition, exercise, therapy, and other alternative or complementary treatments. I like to think of integrative psychiatry as a smorgasbord - it provides a bit everything. It is important to note that a genuine integrative psychiatry practice always uses evidence-based methods.
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2. What is functional psychiatry?Another term? This one is straightforward - functional means treating the "root cause" of a condition through testing, mapping, and exploration. If we can determine a specific cause to a condition, sometimes treating the root cause yields excellent results. Functional psychiatry is often a part of an integrative approach to care. Key distinction: functional psychiatry means treating the cause, not the symptom. Traditional medicine typically treats symptoms, often ignoring the causes.
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3. Why don't you accept insurance?I get this one a lot. I understand why! The model that works for most psychiatry practices is not something in which I believe. I think it is unfair to see a patient for just a few minutes, scribble a few notes, and send off a prescription. The traditional model is void of connection and often void of quality care. I believe every patient deserves someone who builds a relationship and is a partner in their care - not a mysterious white coat they see a time or two every year. The fees enable me to give you the most personal care available.
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4. What format are the appointments?Most appointments are virtual, as this is what most people prefer. If in-person is something you'd like, we can likely make that happen. Some medications may require us to meet in person on occasion. I typically see patients in person one or two days per month.
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5. Are there any conditions you don't treat?Short answer: no! My primary goal is to work as a team with you. I care less about what a previous provider may have labeled you and more about how we'll work together. One of my biggest issues with the mental health field is the desire to diagnose, label, and otherwise categorize every symptom or condition. When we work together, my goal isn't to diagnose you or give you a label. My goal is to help you achieve, excel, and grow. We'll work to reduce your symptoms, increase your output, or whatever your goals may be. Once we've established a sound working relationship, I'm happy to share with you some of the overarching diagnostic concepts. However, you must commit and come ready to do the work! How does that sound?
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6. I am nervous, what can I expect?Totally normal! Our first meeting will be over the phone. It'll be 15 minutes. Here you can ask questions, share your goals, and learn more about my practice. This is casual. ​ After this, you'll be setup in the patient portal where you'll fill out all the pre-appointment paperwork and schedule your first appointment! (Note: pre-appointment paperwork must be completed at least 24 hours prior to the first appointment to give me plenty of time to review). After you've completed the paperwork, we will have our initial intake appointment. Our initial visit will be 75 minutes. We will dig deep and cover a wide range of topics from your history, relationships, work, family, medical conditions, and more. This is also casual - think of a deep conversation over coffee with someone you trust.
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7. Do you see emergency cases?Unfortunately, no. If you believe your situation is an emergency please call 911 or head to the nearest emergency room. Your life matters! ​ The practice model under which I work is a primary care model. Facilitating emergency care requires a different approach. If your situation is not emergent, but urgent, we may be able to work together to get things back on track.