The Eight Steps to Your Individualized Psychiatric Care
at the Center for Holistic Psychiatry and Pain Management
A comparison between conventional psychiatry and holistic psychiatry will help you clearly understand what holistic psychiatry is, and how it works.
Conventional psychiatry treats the biological component of psychiatric disorders as a disturbance of the neurotransmitters (the biochemicals of communication) located in the brain. The hallmark of conventional treatment is medication.
Holistic psychiatry treats the biological aspect of psychiatric disorders as an imbalance of the neuro-endocrine-immune-gut system. This system is a single, complex system encompassing many important physiological systems of the body. There may be physiological causative factors that create psychiatric symptoms. For example, some depression may be due to hormone imbalance or due to a gluten allergy. Some ADD/ADHD symptoms may be due to an infection of the gut by the organism Candida.
The approach of holistic psychiatry is to support the body's inherent systems from within. By removing barriers to proper function and providing the necessary nutrients to optimize function we can go a long way to improve the quality of life of many patients. The hallmark of holistic psychiatry is nutrients.
Some of the biological factors that may cause psychiatric symptoms include:
· Low Protein, high carbohydrate diets; the standard American diet
· Adrenal fatigue
· Thyroid disorders
· Hormonal disorders, including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and the all important vitamin D
· Gastrointestinal disorders, including food allergies and “leaky gut” syndrome
· Intestinal infections including Candida, bacteria and parasites
· Heavy metal toxicities
· Deficiencies of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids and phospholipids
What to Expect:
The first step is to see the doctor. Dr. Somner, a board certified psychiatrist, will take an initial history and evaluation. The importance of this is to have a clear history of the problems and to be sure that the needs of the patient are clearly understood. Dr. Somner will then order tests that she feels are necessary to evaluate what causative factors are contributing to the psychiatric problems. There may be some supplementation recommended immediately. Usually lifestyle and dietary recommendations are made immediately. The metabolic type test identifies the proper dietary approach for each patient, based on biochemical individuality and is a part of every initial visit. This first step is one and a half hours with the doctor. The metabolic type test is done at home on the computer. The total cost for this visit is $390.00.
The second step is to complete the testing process. This may take some time, one to two weeks usually, to complete and get the results back to the doctor. Dr. Somner strives to get the most information for the least amount of money and looks for excellent laboratories to work with that will accept insurance payments. Most of the tests are covered, in part or in full, by insurance and Medicare. This cost varies depending on what needs to be evaluated but can range from $200.00 to $1000.00. The tests may be spread out over time and prescribed in a step wise fashion to reduce the financial burden.
The third step is to meet with the nutritional counselor, Becky Marrs. Becky will go over the result of the metabolic type test and explain what it all means to you. Your work with her is extremely important because implementing the dietary changes is essential for the success of the program. As a trained cook, Becky has many tricks to help you shop for whole foods and cook delicious tasting food that will nourish and support the body and psyche. This part of the process is spread out over time and involves three sessions for $100.00 each. We offer a 20% discount ($280.00) if all three sessions with Becky are paid for in advance. Becky also offers a more detailed coaching program as well, for an additional cost, for those who want more help or are engaged in a weight loss program.
The fourth step is to have a follow up meeting with Dr. Somner to review the results of the tests and have her recommend supplementation, detox protocols, medication (if medication to correct an imbalance is given) and life style changes that address the issues identified by the testing. These may include quite a few supplements at the beginning. Don’t be discouraged by this. It can be daunting to take so many supplements and it can be initially expensive. After a period of a two to three months the supplements may change and the number of supplements is often reduced. The supplements can also be custom made so you take them throughout the day and carry them in little packets for convenience. The company that Dr. Somner uses to custom make the supplements is a Canadian company, so the products are cheaper and the supplements are made according to her prescription. The cost of this aspect of the program varies depending on the supplements required.
The fifth step is to implement the program that has been designed for you. The lifestyle changes, the dietary changes, the supplementation all work together to help you feel better quickly. This step is lifelong. The supplementation may change but the dietary and lifestyle changes are long lasting.
The sixth step is to learn energy psychology techniques to manage your personal feelings and anxieties. The technique we promote at the Center is Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT. This is a simple technique, developed by psychologist Gary Craig, and works by stimulating powerful acupuncture points by tapping them with your fingers. Other psychotherapy may be recommended as needed.
The seventh step is to follow up with Dr. Somner for review of your progress, improvement of symptoms and any change in the program that may be required now. Follow up visits with the doctor are forty-five minutes and cost $160.00. There may be follow up testing. This testing is individualized and will not be as comprehensive as the initial work up. Sometimes the follow up visits are recommended monthly, sometimes every three to four months depending on the individual needs of the patient.
The eighth step is to enjoy your life and follow up with Dr. Somner as needed. Some testing may be required periodically (thyroid and hormone tests need to be followed for example). The follow up here is designed to continue to individualize your treatment plan according to your life needs. Once the program is fully implemented follow up visits may be annual.
