Reconstruct Your Ship

(photo credit Ann Dryden, Yakutat, AK, Canon Beach)

“We are like sailors who on the open sea must reconstruct their ship but are never able to start afresh from the bottom. Where a beam is taken away a new one must at once be put there, and for this the rest of the ship is used as support. In this way, by using the old beams and driftwood the ship can be shaped entirely anew, but only by gradual reconstruction.”
~ Otto Neurath

What Is Integrative Psychiatry?

Integrative psychiatry is a holistic approach that uses both conventional and complementary therapies in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Personalized treatment plans are developed to suit each person’s lifestyle and strengthen self-awareness and resources for self-care. These treatments may include:

Functional and nutritional assessments of individual health differences and needs, which can be addressed in a natural manner through diet, exercise, life-style changes, and supplements where indicated
Mind-body centering exercises that increase the relaxation response
Guided imagery to engage the mind in the healing process
Somatic (body centered) approaches to promote self-awareness and empowerment to engage inner healer

Why do we offer Integrative Psychiatry?

To facilitate engagement for one’s well-being by becoming aware of the effects on health of lifestyle, emotions, and social interactions and to get in touch with one’s inner capacity for healing
To offer a more holistic/person-centered approach to individuals who have not tolerated or responded optimally to traditional psychiatric treatments
To create a more active engagement in psychiatric care that involves revisiting symptoms at regular intervals and changing treatment plans (including medications) when indicated

Are there contraindications for Integrative Psychiatry?

Individuals with severe symptoms, active suicidality and active psychosis may require a more intensive level of psychiatric care.

Photo Credit Katie Whitaker, *Shelburne Bay Park 2020*

Supportive Psychotherapy with most visits. An opportunity to work through challenges, navigate diagnosis management as well as gain practical strategies in a relaxed setting and down-to-earth conversation about mental health symptoms and life transitions. Self-empowering strategies for dis-ease management to better understand behavioral and emotional patterns and move towards change and wellness. Sessions may also utilize ancestral archetypes in therapeutic work, weaving Integrative therapies when and where appropriate. We are not therapists and weekly sessions are limited. We are committed to offering therapeutic and Individualized work in these trying times with each of our visits by scheduling longer visits. Our work can also complement your regular therapeutic work which we highly recommend.

Photo Credit Katie Whitaker, *Winter Solstice 2021*

Medication & Symptom management is in conjunction with psychotherapy (with your private therapist and/or our visits) and requires a psychiatric diagnostic evaluation. You will receive guidance for de-prescribing, when desired and when safe and appropriate. NOTE: Controlled substance prescriptions, including benzodiazepines or psychostimulants, are not done via telehealth for NEW patients and not generally prescribed in our first visits.

All medication management services are provided in conjunction with patients engaged in regular psychotherapy with another provider or in visits allowing guidance and /or supportive psychotherapy with this practice.

*Psychedelic Healing* by Alex Grey Celebrating the 35th Aniversary of MAPS

Offering Preparation and Integration sessions for clients who are exploring psychedelic-assisted therapies.

Waiting List is now open for Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) for October 2022– Information page coming

Ann Marie and Katie have both completed the 100-hour Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) training in MDMA-assisted therapy. We are expanding our knowledge presently in Ketamine-Assisted-Therapy trainings with Polaris. We currently offer preparation & integration psychotherapy sessions for those patients using these methods with other providers. We plan to incorporate the work with psychedelic medicines into our practice as they gain regulatory approval. We are committed to serving our community and making this work as accessible as possible to all persons.