What life events or challenges that you’ve experienced (could be minor, could be major) – whether you’ve experienced them directly or via someone close to you, have had any type of impact on your desire to pursue a career in psychiatry?

My career in psychiatry evolved from a desire to live a truly vibrant life. At a young age, I personally learned about the mysteries of life and death through several losses, as well as being exposed to many different cultures and how they create meaning in life. I became deeply curious about how to live a meaningful life. I studied how to achieve a vital state of being and true physical health – how to create an energized body, an emotional state of love, strength, kindness and generosity, a balanced nervous system with an intelligent and agile brain, and a deep knowing of one’s authentic expansive purpose. I love seeing people come to life – their eyes shining, their expressions animated, as they tap into their true passion. Like everyone, challenging life experiences have led me to understand the universality of human pain and suffering, yet the wisdom, strength and beauty within human beings that can meet and transmute pain. I recently read a passage on the beauty of the oyster that designs the pearl. What was once an irritant to the oyster, first causes the oyster to create a luminescent lining. Then, layer upon layer, this reaction to pain develops into a rare and unique pearl. In the yoga tradition, a god named Shiva takes poison and turns it into nectar. These biological and mythic metaphors speak to our capacity to take pain and, instead of having ongoing suffering, use this pain to metabolize transformation. Like the oyster, we can layer on skill after skill until what was once painful becomes a pearl of intelligence. We can thus develop a mastery with which to face the darkness in our lives. 

How did those events impact you emotionally/morally? How, if at all did those events impact the way you view how our current system teaches us to treat patients with mental health challenges?

Challenging events have led me to seek greater understanding. I believe that for true healing, the brilliance of each individual needs to be called forth so that the person has a strength to face emotional challenges, a light to shine into the darkness. In each person, I see the struggles of humanity. Which of us has not felt loss? Which of us has not felt despair? Which of us has not felt deep fear and anxiety? These experiences are those of a shared common humanity. From these experiences, we can uncover our brilliance and then work towards creating a better world. I believe that we are all in this together, so that there is no ‘us versus them’, there are simply people in different roles trying to solve the problems that cause suffering and bring more and more light into the world by ideally unveiling the brilliance within each individual, and within our connections to each other.

When and why did you decide to actually focus on practicing Integrative Psychiatry, specifically, and how was your decision shaped by the experiences above?

Integrative psychiatry gradually evolved for me over time. Motivated by a curiosity about how to live in excellent physical health, I had learned from other healing modalities before I entered medical training. As I love to feel vibrant, adaptable, agile and calm, the integrative practices that have supported me to evolve also informed my past integrative practice, where I had hoped to give people tools to develop a self-sustaining approach to emotional challenges. I continue to be passionate about building a profound biological health. This can be created with a lifestyle informed by the science of: healthy eating for mind and mood, exercise, natural settings, adequate vitamins and minerals, excellent sleep habits, understanding the brain, meditation, connecting with others in an intentional way informed by the science of the electromagnetic heart, and asking the deeper questions about why you are here, and what you would like to create. 

What methods or practices do you utilize to help individuals get/feel better?

In my wellness services, I offer education on lifestyle intervention, neuroscience and neuroanatomy education, meditation and yoga for burnout prevention and recovery. During talks, workshops and retreats, I teach skills and tools for manifesting a dream of well being into a measurable physical reality. I developed a technique called FutureSelf that, after a process of deep relaxation, allows for a vision of an ideal future self. Like an inner vision quest, this technique is backed by the science that, when we have a positive vision of the future, we now carry that memory of that vision in our subconscious, leading to more optimism, positivity and resilience. I also, many years ago, developed a method called The Reset Method that can bring a person back to a sense of their true self. In my interest to support greater well being and resilience, I have also developed wellness programs for corporations. I recently developed an online program to help staff create resilience in the face of vicarious trauma. I am currently creating an online platform for individuals to enhance well being through a blend of neuroscience and ancient techniques of yoga and meditation.

How did people react when you share this Integrative/Holistic approach with them – whether it be patients or other doctors?

People have been really enthusiastic. Clients feel like they get their life back. They get into better physical shape. They learn how to meet stress and anxiety with specific tools custom made to how they view the world, and that play to their strengths. They mend their intimate relationships. People find their true purpose which allows for more success and abundance. Many clients say that they are very grateful as they now have the tools to manage emotional challenges in their lives. People have spoken to my deep compassion and kindness. Residents and medical students, as well as clients, have spoken to a deep feeling of calm when they are in my presence, saying that I have a very zen space that is enjoyable to be around. This feedback speaks to the importance of how I take care to cultivate my personal emotional and mental space, so that I show up with an integrity that impacts how I share knowledge. Colleagues have been incredibly and beautifully supportive, and I have been welcomed to speak at several conferences, summits and corporations. I am deeply grateful for, and humbled by, the appreciation.