When to Refer Patients for Psychotherapy
We are happy to accept referrals of children, teenagers and adults. A referral is appropriate when the patient requests mental health treatment, when the level of emotional distress is clearly high, or when the patient is experiencing difficulties in social or occupational adjustment. We are very comfortable treating patients with common psychological conditions:
- Depression
- Anxiety and panic disorder
- Anger management
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Adjustment to chronic illness, pain
- Behavior problems in children and teens
- ADHD
- Relationship problems, marital conflict
We will send you periodic reports on the patient’s progress and any recommendations we may have regarding medication management.
When to Refer Patients for Neuropsychological Assessment
Evaluation of neurocognitive functioning can be important in management of a variety of acute and chronic medical conditions. Goals of neuropsychological assessment may include:
- Assist in establishing a diagnosis of dementia
- Characterize degree of impairment in cognitive functioning
- Differentiate cause of memory complaints (e.g., depression vs. neurological disease)
- Establish a baseline for future comparisons in progressive conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease)
- Clarify complex cases with multifactorial components (e.g., patients with mood disorder, chronic pain, history of seizures, and medication side effects)
- Address questions about ability to work
- Evaluate a patient’s ability to understand and adhere to medical treatment
- For children, evaluate complex developmental disorders, learning problems
When to Refer Patients for Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
These techniques are very effective in management of anxiety and stress. They are helpful to patients who have problems in regulation of mood and patients who are coping with chronic illness. Patients learn, in group classes or individual therapy, skills for relaxation, strategies for controlling attention and emotional reactions, and techniques for improved self-acceptance.
How to Make a Referral
Simply instruct the patient to call our office. If you like, print the Physician Referral Form, complete it, give a copy to the patient, and fax a copy to us (925-256-8723).
