Clinical Services
Dr. Westreich provides the below services. Often he combines the different modalities (except for forensic work) to help the patient move forward in those aspects of his or her life which are troubled or problematic.
Psychiatric Assessment
A comprehensive assessment of the patient's biological, psychological, and social circumstances underlies recommendations for psychotherapy, medication, or both. With addiction or serious psychiatric problems, this initial evaluation results in a set of clear recommendations on urgent issues such as any need for detoxification, inpatient admission, or rapid medical treatment. This initial diagnostic evaluation also underlies the longer-term treatment recommendations, and is modified as the patient progresses.
Individual Therapy
One-on-one therapy can help the patient manage conditions like addiction, depression or anxiety, and achieve behavior change and insight into longer-term behavior patterns. By focusing on the "here and now" aspects of the patient's life, the therapist can promote decisive and long-lasting change. If necessary, the individual therapy serves as a coordinating venue for other modalities, such as peer-led support groups, group therapy, family therapy, and medication management.
Couples and Family Therapy
For the stressed couple or family, a therapy experience can lead to positive alterations in long-held behavior patterns. Whether facing a crisis or simply attempting to smooth out communication patterns, the motivated couple or family benefits from taking some time out to address their problems. When one member of a couple or family uses addictive substances, the resulting difficulties in the family can be best understood by a therapist trained in the field.
Medication Treatment
Psychiatric medications treat depression, anxiety, psychosis, and even addiction. Used together with therapy, many of these medications offer significant benefits when prescribed judiciously. Although the initial psychiatric assessment will define any need for immediate use of medications, oftentimes the person in therapy will learn to recognize emerging symptoms which respond well to medication treatment.
Forensic Services
Mental health clinicians trained in mental health law provide consultation to lawyers, judges and juries on the interaction between mental functioning and the law. Mental disability matters, child custody disputes, employee drug testing and criminal matters with psychiatric or addiction components are common themes in forensic psychiatry.