Rachel Ward

**Currently unable to accept new patients**

I am a board-certified psychiatrist with a relatively eclectic background and a commitment to maintaining a warm, open and non-judgmental space for all individuals I work with. I have experience diagnosing & treating a wide variety of mental health concerns, including trauma related issues, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, perinatal and postpartum depression/anxiety/psychosis, and adult ADD/ADHD.

I provide very thorough diagnostic evaluations by taking the time needed to fully understand each facet of every individual I see, taking into account physical health, nutrition/lifestyle factors, spiritual beliefs and cultural factors, in addition to medical, social, educational, occupational, developmental and psychological history. Unfortunately, I have had the experience of working with many individuals who were misdiagnosed for many years, receiving little or no relief, primarily as a result of inadequate assessments. At times, it is the seemingly inconsequential experiences in childhood that are overlooked, or how these experiences are translating into present-day difficulty in relationships, career satisfaction, and overall quality of life. At other times, a condition felt to be psychiatric may actually be the first symptom of an emerging medical illness, or an uncommon side effect of a supplement/medication/medication interaction. A very thorough history, gathered in a warm, nonjudgmental, confidential environment, is necessary for determining an accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment plan.

I am trained in a number of mental health treatments, including medications, CBT, DBT, Psychodynamic psychotherapies, and Somatic & Attachment Focused EMDR. These modalities inform my assessments & treatment planning, and are all provided with a trauma-informed, person-centered, collaborative approach.