The medical model can be a fundamental foundation of meaning and health. Many of my core values, life lessons, and metaphors are rooted in medical and psychotherapy training. I also openly consider how diagnoses and medication can limit and at times even obscure personal growth and development. In our work, I may also draw on previous work as a professional artist, carpenter, manual and service laborer, neuroscience researcher, author, hospice worker, and business executive.

Since 2005, I have prioritized work as a psychotherapist. During the first decade of my career, I actively created complementary experiences in various clinical settings. I am captivated by the art, science, and creativity of psychotherapies and how short-term medication catalyzes this work. While working on state policy, I was fascinated to review the effectiveness and risks of psychiatric medications and more than1400 different psychotherapies. I continue to devote time to better understand clinical medicine, the power and limits of contemporary psychiatric treatments, integrative medicine, and emerging technologies including AI into mental health.

My work in the world is to help people understand themselves, improve their relationships, simplify or safely discontinue psychiatric medication, and develop a more satisfying and meaningful life.

Experience

I am grateful to have learned with and from patients, colleagues, and mentors in the following roles:

• Supervising psychiatrist in community mental health in diverse care settings, as a Chief Operating Officer equivalent for a successful health care organization, and as a Medical Director serving two managed care organizations;

• National leader in health policy and program development in Washington, D.C. addressing health disparities and mental health parity;

• National consultant for the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry, Justice Center, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, and American Holistic Medical Association;

• Published author of journal articles and book chapters; presenter at national conferences on clinical care, psychological trauma, and health system quality improvement; and

• Local, regional, and national presenter and workshop facilitator addressing psychoanalytic theory and practice, physician and clinician burnout, gender affirming care, crisis and criminal justice services, and health disparities.