An Experienced Psychiatrist Who Takes the Time to Understand You
I have spent more than 30 years in private psychiatric practice, helping individuals navigate mental health challenges, understand themselves better, and work toward meaningful changes in their lives.
I believe good psychiatric care requires more than identifying symptoms and prescribing medication. It requires time, careful listening, sound clinical judgment, and an understanding of the individual behind the diagnosis. My aim is to understand your concerns and goals well enough to develop a treatment plan that fits you—not a one-size-fits-all formula.
My approach reflects what first drew me to medicine, what I learned through my medical training, and what ultimately led me to psychiatry: an enduring interest in understanding people and helping them find a way forward.
My Journey into Psychiatry
I was born and raised in Miami, Florida, where my interest in medicine began during childhood. Years later, that early interest led me to the University of Pennsylvania, where I double-majored in Philosophy and the Biological Basis of Behavior and graduated cum laude.
I subsequently attended the University of Miami School of Medicine and completed a residency in internal medicine at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina. I became board-certified in internal medicine, although that certification has since expired. I ultimately realized that my professional interests and strengths were better suited to psychiatry than to the practice of internal medicine.
I also completed a one-year fellowship in addiction medicine at Willingway Hospital in Statesboro, Georgia. My growing interest in mental health led me to pursue psychiatric training at Sheppard Pratt Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.
I chose Sheppard Pratt in part because of its emphasis on integrating psychotherapy with psychiatric medication management. I wanted to develop skills in both areas so that I could consider the full range of treatment options available to my patients.
Eventually, my wife—whom I had met at Moses Cone Hospital—encouraged me to put my training to work in the real world. That encouragement helped bring me to Jacksonville, Florida, where I entered solo psychiatric practice.
After nearly 15 years practicing in Jacksonville Beach, I moved my practice to its current location.
A Low-Tech, High-Involvement Approach
I sometimes describe psychiatry as a “low-tech, high-involvement” specialty. While modern psychiatric care benefits from scientific advances and effective medications, much of the work depends on something less technological: taking the time to understand another person.
That means asking questions, listening carefully, exploring what matters to you, and considering how your symptoms affect your life. It also means defining treatment goals together rather than assuming that my idea of improvement is necessarily the same as yours.
For example, when treating depression, reducing sadness may be an important goal. But perhaps what matters most to you is regaining your motivation, reconnecting with family, enjoying your hobbies, or feeling productive at work. Understanding these distinctions helps us evaluate whether treatment is making the difference you actually want.
I aim to provide direct, individualized care, with treatment decisions informed by clinical evidence, my experience, and your personal circumstances.
My Professional Interests
Psychiatric Medication Management
Medication can be an important part of treatment for many psychiatric conditions. My approach emphasizes thoughtful prescribing, careful follow-up, and a clear understanding of what we hope treatment will accomplish.
I encourage patients to consider how they would recognize that a medication was helping them—not just whether a symptom had improved, but whether their everyday lives were getting better. These conversations help us establish meaningful goals and assess whether a treatment plan needs adjustment.
Psychotherapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
I also provide psychotherapy, including longer sessions that frequently incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
CBT helps people identify and examine patterns of thinking and behavior that may contribute to emotional distress. It offers practical strategies for responding differently to difficult situations and developing more effective ways of managing thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Depending on the patient’s needs and goals, our work may also incorporate solution-focused methods and other approaches. Some patients prefer to pursue psychotherapy with me; others work with an outside therapist, while some prefer medication management without psychotherapy. I am comfortable discussing these options and helping patients determine what best fits their circumstances.
Personal Growth and Life Coaching
Another professional interest is helping people recognize their potential and work through obstacles that may be holding them back.
This may involve clarifying goals, identifying strengths, developing more effective habits, or finding ways to approach challenges differently. My interests in martial arts, physical fitness, and personal development have reinforced my appreciation for the role that consistent effort and practical strategies can play in improvement.
I also enjoy working with athletes who want to improve their competitive performance. When appropriate, this work focuses on goal-setting, confidence, concentration, and overcoming unhelpful patterns.
Background and Training
My education and professional training include:
- University of Pennsylvania: Double major in Philosophy and the Biological Basis of Behavior; graduated cum laude.
- University of Miami School of Medicine: Medical degree.
- Moses Cone Hospital, Greensboro, North Carolina: Residency in internal medicine.
- Willingway Hospital, Statesboro, Georgia: One-year fellowship in Addiction Medicine.
- Sheppard Pratt Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland: Psychiatric training, with an emphasis on integrating medication management and psychotherapy.
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Faculty Development Fellowship.
- NLP Comprehensive: Master Practitioner Certification in Neuro-Linguistic Programming.
I am board-certified in psychiatry. My former internal medicine board certification has expired, as my professional focus has been psychiatry.
A Little About Me Outside the Office
Family is an important part of my life. Outside of work, I have a particular passion for self-defense and Krav Maga, the Israeli martial art. I enjoy challenging workouts, especially the kind of demanding personal-training sessions that test both physical and mental endurance.
I also enjoy learning about history, science—particularly physics—and politics. And I am unapologetically a dog person. Our family Brussels Griffons, Fiasco and Basil, help make sure that life outside the office never becomes too serious.
These interests are part of who I am, just as your interests, relationships, experiences, and aspirations are part of who you are. I believe that understanding the individual is central to understanding the patient’s needs.
An Invitation
Choosing a psychiatrist is a personal decision. You deserve to understand the physician’s background, approach, and philosophy of care before deciding whether the relationship feels right.
My aim is to offer experienced, individualized psychiatric care that combines careful clinical thinking with direct physician involvement and a genuine interest in your goals.
If you are looking for a psychiatrist in Jacksonville, Florida, I invite you to learn more about my practice, the conditions I treat, and my approach to psychiatric care.