Functional Psychiatry: Balancing Mind and Body
Did you know your mental health is deeply connected to your physical health?
As a Physician Assistant with a Certificate of Added Qualification in Psychiatry and experience in internal medicine since 2019, I believe real healing happens when we treat your mind, body, and spirit together.
I’m trained in psychiatric medication management, but my true passion is helping you discover and fix the root causes of mental health challenges and not just masking the symptoms. Sometimes feeling “off” is caused by more than a chemical imbalance. Stress, infections, food allergies, low vitamin levels, past trauma, and inflammation can all play a role.
Beyond the Diagnosis
Many ongoing mental health issues aren’t just “chemical imbalances.” Often, they are a sign of inflammation or problems with how your body is working. For example, some of my patients with chronic illnesses like Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) or Lyme disease deal with anxiety, depression, brain fog, and more. These symptoms can come from problems with the immune system and inflammation, not just from the mind alone.
Think of your health like an old house. If there’s a creaky floorboard, it might be hiding a bigger story. In functional psychiatry, I look at your whole health history to uncover clues that standard care might miss.
Your Gut and Your Brain: A Conversation Worth Listening To
Your gut and your brain are always talking to each other. When your gut microbiome is out of balance, inflamed, or “leaky,” it can impact hormones and chemicals that affect your mood and stress. By working on your gut health (clearing up digestive problems or food sensitivities) you may notice better focus, steadier moods, and more resilience.
Nutrition and Food as Medicine
What you eat matters for your brain as much as your body. A key part of functional psychiatry is personalized nutrition. I help patients discover which foods might be causing problems, often testing out temporary changes with things like avoiding gluten or dairy. Because everyone is different, we use history and testing to figure out what works best for you.
Comprehensive Lab Testing
Functional lab work is a cornerstone of my approach. I check for nutrient deficiencies, thyroid issues, autoimmune markers, toxins, infections, hormones, and genetic factors that may contribute to psychiatric symptoms. Looking at these factors helps us get to the root of symptoms that other care might miss.
Healing Frameworks
Functional medicine uses proven frameworks, such as the “Five Rs”:
Remove triggers, like inflammatory foods and infections
Replace missing nutrients or digestive enzymes
Repair the gut lining
Reintroduce healthy bacteria
Rebalance your lifestyle for lasting change
I also use the SHIFT model to guide investigations into Stress, Hormones, Infections, Food, and Toxins to uncover interconnected issues, leading to more personalized and effective interventions for you.
What Sets My Practice Apart
What truly sets my practice apart is this integrative philosophy. I combine conventional psychiatry with functional medicine, honoring you as a whole human:
Comprehensive lab testing: I assess inflammation, toxins, infections, hormones, nutrient levels, and more.
Medication guidance: I safely prescribe, optimize, or help you taper psychiatric medications based on your unique needs, always focusing on your long-term wellness.
Root cause repair: I create protocols to calm inflammation, repair mitochondria, and rebalance your nervous system.
Holistic healing: We address physical triggers, nurture emotional well-being, and encourage practices that strengthen your spirit—such as mindfulness, relaxation, purpose, and connection.
Your Story Matters
I know every patient’s experience is unique. I use detailed forms, questionnaires, and attentive listening to connect the dots in your health story and build a plan that fits you. When it comes to medication, we proceed thoughtfully—starting with your current prescriptions and making changes slowly as your health improves.
Supporting Wellness Through Daily Practices
Healthy routines make a huge difference in your mood and resilience. Getting good sleep, eating regular meals, and staying active are essential. Mind-body practices like deep breathing, singing, and mindfulness help you manage stress. And when old habits or negative beliefs get in the way, functional psychiatry focuses on helping you move past these so you feel confident and empowered.
A Healthier, Happier You
Research and real-life experience show that addressing the root causes of mental health symptoms leads to lasting, meaningful outcomes. In some cases, improvement can be up to 35% greater than with standard medication alone. Functional psychiatry goes beyond just treating symptoms by helping you gain clarity, strength, and lasting wellness.
Ready for a Different Kind of Mental Health Care?
Healing is about more than simply managing symptoms. It’s about feeling clear, calm, and energetic by honoring every part of who you are: mind, body, and spirit. If you’re frustrated by quick fixes and want care that truly sees you as a whole person, functional psychiatry may be the path forward.
As your partner in health, I am committed to walking alongside you, listening to your unique story, and supporting you every step of the way.
If you’re ready for a different kind of mental health care, let’s take the next step together. Your healing journey matters, and you don’t have to do it alone.
The content provided is for informational purposes only and does not intend to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.