Clinical Psychiatric Services

We provide psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and psychotherapy (counseling) for patients ages 12 and older.

Assessment — We will review your general history and medical issues, hear your concerns and wishes, and then work together to create a plan to maximize wellness.

Treatments — We offer medication management and several types of psychotherapy. We will collaborate with other providers when your needs are best served by coordinated care.

In addition to general psychiatry, our practice providers have specialized training and extensive experience in the following areas:

Complex Psychiatric Issues

Dr. Burstein specializes in helping people with complex problems who have not yet responded to treatment. Patients with compound psychiatric illnesses can be harder to achieve remission. Problems include, but are not limited to, medical, neurologic, or pharmacologic problems.

Adult Psychiatry

Dr. Burstein and P.A. Sandridge have over 40 years of combined experience treating adults of all ages. They enjoy helping those who are still seeking to maintain and optimize their mental health. They treat and diagnoses individuals suffering from:

• Mood Disturbances
• Anxiety
• Substance Abuse Disorders
• Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorders (ADHD)
• Cognitive Disorders
• Psychotic Disorders
• Psychiatric Symptoms caused or complicated by medical and neurological illnesses.

Elderly

Psychiatric problems are among the illnesses older adults can suffer from. Dr. Burstein has been the medical director for two Geriatric Psychiatric hospitals and is a recognized expert in this field. He demonstrates particular expertise in the interface between neurologic and psychiatric disease.

Adolescent Psychiatry

Dr. Burstein and P.A. Sandridge have extensive experience sifting through the complexities of the adolescent experience. They will assess the adolescent to establish a potential diagnosis. Once established, they will work with the entire family to generate a plan to create a better future. Common disorder and issue diagnosis are:

• Attentional Disorder (ADD or ADHD)
• Mood Disorder
• Thought Disorder
• Turbulence of Puberty

Mood Disorders

The most common Mood Disorders are:

• Major Depression
• Bipolar Disorders
• Dysthymic Disorders (Chronic Depression)
• Mood Disorders caused by a medical condition

Dr. Burstein and P.A. Sandridge have experience in the diagnosis and treatment of all of these conditions for thousands of patients. They share their knowledge on these disorders and treatments through lectures and Dr. Burstein educates doctors throughout the country about these conditions.

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders encompass a wide variety of conditions characterized by stress, worry, nervousness, and uncomfortable bodily sensations. Some of the more common anxiety disorders are:

• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Phobias
• Panic Disorder
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Dissociative Disorders.

These conditions are generally best treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medications. Dr. Burstein and P.A. Sandridge have found that typical improvement is gradual and most people have very significant improvement or remission within 4 to 6 months.

Cognitive Disorders

Changes in memory and thinking most likely occur with natural aging, however, some conditions can be identified and medically reversed when properly diagnosed. (Techniques include controlling a medical illness or eliminating inhibitors that may corrupt memory and sensibility.) Sometimes these signs can be symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.

Dr. Burstein applies his expertise to accurately evaluate cognitive symptoms and the behavior problems associated with them. With his guidance, he has proven to positively stabilize progressive dementia through treatment plans which may or may not include medication.

Dual Diagnosis

Substance abuse and psychiatric disorders commonly co-exist. Often people self-medicate with alcohol or drugs in an unsuccessful effort to feel better. Dr. Burstein and P.A. Sandridge have proven success in guiding these patients to abstinence while treating the psychiatric illness in order to promote health. Dr. Burstein’s extensive experience in detoxification and long term recovery programs have promoted his patients to graduate from their unhealthy lifestyle. Both providers are sensitive in prescribing addictive drugs to patients with a history of substance abuse disorders.

Behavioral Disorders

Behavioral disorders can surface in people of all ages and can encompass a wide variety of problems and causes. In younger patients prominent issues arise from ADHD, Bipolar Disorder and substance abuse. For older people, behavioral problems are likely to derive from cognitive disorders or new onset mood disorders. Dr. Burstein and P.A. Sandridge will focus on the underlying cause of the issue and map out a treatment plan for the patient and/or family tailored for that specific individual.

Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder

An estimated 6% of the population has ADHD, and it is twice as prominent in males. Roughly 30% of individuals “outgrow” ADHD in their late teens. If untreated, ADHD frequently leads to substance abuse, behavioral problems, failure in active schooling and work, and relationship issues. Other diverse problems can result from ADHD such as traffic accidents, fights and becoming overwhelmed. Medications used to manage this disorder are the most successful and effective medicines in psychopharmacology.

Dr. Burstein first began evaluating and treating children with this problem at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the early 1970s. He has trained with nationally published experts including John Ratey and Ned Hallowell. Both Dr. Burstein and P.A. Sandridge are highly experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of these problems in adolescents (12 and older) and adults.

Psychopharmacology and Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Psycho is defined as a persons thinking, feeling and behavior as in the term “Psychology.” Neuropsychiatric refers to diagnosis and treating psychiatric disorders based on a sophisticated understanding of the underlying brain function.

Psychotherapy

Research has shown that combining psychotherapy with medications produces the best outcome for many conditions. Dr. Burstein enjoys working with patients using short term or long term therapy. Dr. Burstein has extensive training and experience with psychodynamic, strategic and cognitive behavioral therapies.

This treatment combination is only available to patients who are self-pay.