About me
I was born in Chicago and raised in Highland Park, Illinois. While music was a big part of my childhood, I became interested in psychology during High School. I initially had aspirations to become a psychotherapist but grew more interested in the biochemical aspects of behavior during college and ultimately chose a career in psychiatry.
After medical school, I was trained first in Adult Psychiatry and then elected to pursue further training in Child/Adolescent Psychiatry. I have treated patients age 5-85, and 2/3 of my patients are adults. Over the years, I have specialized most in providing psychiatric evaluation and psychiatric medication management.
I believe that every person and family are unique. It takes time to recognize all the important factors in an individual case. The first session is called the “Psychiatric Evaluation”, but assessment and diagnosis are refined throughout the course of treatment.
Psychiatric diagnosis is a man-made phenomenon based mainly on symptoms. Treatment of symptoms alone, however, may miss the cause of the problem. Medications can be an incredibly helpful part of psychiatric treatment but individual response to medicine is highly variable.
I have seen enough people benefit greatly from medications, with minimal side effects to support my prescribing this treatment for clients. But I sincerely believe that non-medical approaches, including individual/family psychotherapy, behavioral approaches, and lifestyle or environmental changes are often essential parts of treatment.
Education
George Washington University: B.S., 1986 Loyola University: M.D., 1990
Regulatory Authorities
Licensed Physician/Surgeon Illinois since 1993, Nation Board Medical Examiners certified 1991
Wok History
1996-Present: Private Practice in Northbrook, Illinois, 1995-2005: Consultant at Allendale Association, Lake Villa, Illinois
Education
- 1982: Graduated from Highland Park High School
- 1982-1983: University of Illinois, Chicago
- 1983-1986: George Washington University, B.S. in Zoology, Minor in Psychology, Graduated With Distinction
- 1986-1990: Loyola University, Stritch School of Medicine, M.D., Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society
- 1990-1991: Internship in Psychiatry, Medicine, Pediatrics, and Neurology at the University of Chicago Hospitals
- 1991-1993: Psychiatry Residency at University of Chicago Hospitals
- 1993-1995: Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Illinois, Chicago
Work History
- 1982-1983, Summer: Production Assistant at Ravinia Festival
- 1982-1995: Solo Pianist for Private Engagements
- 1984, Summer: Toxicology Lab Assistant at Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office
- 1984, Summer: Musical Director for “The Runaways” at Apple Tree Theatre
- 1993-1994: Group Therapist at Midwest Mental Health Care Providers
- 1994-1995: Call Physician at Metropolitan Child and Adolescent Services
- 1994-1996: Outpatient Psychiatrist at Counseling Connection
- 1994-1999: Outpatient Psychiatrist at Oakbrook Psychiatric Group
- 1995-2005: Consultant at Allendale Association
- 1996-Present: Private Practice in Northbrook, Illinois
Professional Memberships and Board Certifications
- 1990-2009: American Psychiatric Association, Illinois Psychiatric Society
- 1993-Present: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- 1993-Present: Illinois Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- 1995-2016: Board Certified in Psychiatry
- 1996-2017: Board Certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry