Home › Meet Dr. Malik

Meet Arsalan Malik, MD

Dr. Arsalan Malik completed his psychiatry residency at the Menninger Clinic and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. During that time he served as the clinical chief resident of the Menninger Clinic, where he specialized in addressing the complex medical, psychiatric and substance use difficulties of high achieving individuals no longer functioning successfully in the workplace and/or at home. He provided psychiatric care to treatment resistant depressed, anxious, bipolar and personality disordered patients on the Professionals In Crisis and Young Adult Units. He developed his interest and expertise in the treatment of mood and co-occurring personality disorders at this time using a comprehensive and integrated, multidisciplinary treatment approach — psychoanalytically informed hospital psychiatry, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Psychodynamic Individual, Group, Couples and Family Therapy.

Dr. Malik also holds a Clinical Fellowship in Adult Psychodynamic Psychotherapy from the Center for Psychoanalytic Studies. He is currently a Clinical Associate at the New Center for Psychoanalysis and volunteer clinical faculty at UCLA. He is an editor for the journal Gender and Violence, which launched in early 2014. He is an active member of the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychoanalytic Association, and the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry. In addition to being board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Dr. Malik is also a diplomate of the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine.

Dr. Malik has obtained specialized training in the new and burgeoning field of Integrative Psychiatry. In addition to ruling out the common medical and neurological causes of psychiatric illness, he evaluates and forms a treatment strategy for issues like gut dysbiosis, inflammation, nutritional imbalance and food allergies that can often present with psychiatric manifestations, using nutritional medicine, mind-body approaches, meditation, herbs, supplements, lifestyle, diet and behavioral interventions. Psychopharmacology can be, but usually is not, the first line treatment he recommends.

Dr. Malik is currently the medical director of Clearview Women's Center for Borderline and Emotional Disorders in Venice, CA. He also has over 500 hours of clinical experience as medical director of residential treatment facilities for patients dually diagnosed with substance use disorders and psychiatric disorders.

Dr. Malik has also done academic research in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mind-body medicine. He has published scientific papers on the use of CBT in depressed, medically ill populations and on the subject of primary prevention in geriatric psychiatry. He is most comfortable working with high functioning (but distressed) adults in a long-term consistent relationship (even when the treatment itself is not long), helping them heal in the context of a secure attachment. He aims to help his patients understand and improve their inner emotional states of mind, and gain deeper satisfaction in their lives and their relationships. He also uses time limited therapy depending on the patient's needs and goals. In addition, Dr. Malik has a special interest in cultural and ethnic issues as they relate to psychiatric disorders, and focused on seeing immigrant and minority populations as well as working professionals at the Baylor Psychiatry Clinic.

Call 424-259-2673

Home › About

About the Practice

Arsalan Malik, MD provides counseling and therapy services specializing in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Mentalization Based Therapy, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Mindfulness based Therapy for individuals, couples, and families in and around Los Angeles, CA and its surrounding communities.

Proudly serving: Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, West LA, and their surrounding communities.

Home › Philosophy and Focus of Treatment

Philosophy and Focus of Treatment

I follow an evidence-based practice, but also recognize the inadequacy of the current scientific research model to explain complicated mind-brain phenomena. Generalizability of findings from ideal study populations to the individual is also quite limited and not always apparent. I stay up-to-date with findings in molecular biology, neuroscience and advanced neuroimaging that may one day revolutionize psychiatry, but that day is probably far in the future. Although I have strong opinions, informed by empirical evidence and clinical experience, about what currently works and what doesn't, when it comes to theoretical orientation and treatment formulation, I follow scientific model agnosticism. That is to say, I do not confine myself to any one model or particular way of looking at things and I use what works (which is usually multiple perspectives) with a given patient. Given how much there is yet to discover about the staggeringly complex workings of mind-brain, the last great frontier in science, I think this is the only honest posture to adopt.

Therefore, I use psychoanalytic thinking, CBT, DBT, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, mentalization, attachment theory, epigenetic and biological models, where appropriate, as tools to inform my understanding and treatment of different patients and to meet them where they are. Most importantly, I focus on the patient as an equal and active partner in their treatment. I conceptualize psychiatric treatment as a collaboration involving a process of two people thinking and changing what either alone cannot think or change. Thus, I focus on an alliance that establishes an interaction of mutual involvement rather than mere observation or authoritarian hierarchy.

Overall, I have found medications can be, but are not always, a first line choice for the individual. Psychotherapy seems to have gone from being the rule to being relegated to the backburner as drugs occupy an increasingly pivotal role in patient care. I endeavor to find a middle road of plain old therapy, in addition to biological and holistic treatment methods, to help my patients find balance and meaning in their lives and satisfaction in their relationships. I believe the answer to patients' complex problems lies in a combination of these two models rather than an "either-or" approach.

Additionally, I think of individuals as complex ecosystems made up of various subsystems (mental, emotional, social, spiritual, physical and environmental) that are diverse, interconnected and interdependent. An imbalance in one of these subsystems can affect all other subsystems and reduce overall wellbeing. An antidepressant alone, for example, cannot hope to cure a person suffering a spiritual crisis or overwhelming loss, or someone who is depressed because they have poor physical health, poor stress management skills and a poor diet. Consequently I make sure I address the whole person in context.

In my thinking about patients, I follow the dictum: "all perception is co-creation." We create the environment we perceive to suit our own dogmas, emotions, and aesthetics. Every nervous system perceives a different universe made up out of some common signals coming to all of us, and most defects of communication, and consequent behavioral and relational problems, are caused by the fact that we think everyone is living in the same "world" as us. When we find out they are not, we think they're either "crazy" or "evil" or "mad" or "bad."

We live in a world where we are all continually negotiating on behalf of our stories, yearning to be understood. When we realize that each individual is looking through the point of view of their own subjectivity or "reality tunnel" it is much easier to understand where other people are coming from. Then, the ones who do not have the same beliefs, desires, wishes, and motivations as us do not seem ignorant, deliberately perverse, lying or hypnotized by some mad ideology. They just have a different perception than ours, and every perception might tell us something interesting about our world, if we are willing to listen and be accepting. It is now a medical truism that one must deal not just with the disease but with the individual that has it and his whole "world." This position, now known as "the mentalizing stance," is the cornerstone of any healthy interaction between human beings. It is the starting point and orienting guideline of my approach in practice. Thus, I am committed to the idea that each individual is unique and deserves a distinctive treatment plan that maximizes the opportunity for a successful outcome. I find it a privilege to be let into the inner lives of my patients.

Home › Services & Treatments › Comprehensive Evaluation

Comprehensive Evaluation

Each initial visit will consist of a comprehensive evaluation where a broad array of topics will be covered, such as past psychiatric treatments, medical history, current medications, family history, substance abuse history and developmental history. This is because many factors — genetics and biology, personality, relationships and life experiences — interact to lead to the current presentation. With your consent, Dr. Malik may interview family members, significant others, friends, and/or prior providers, including but not limited to psychiatrists, therapists and primary care physicians, as indicated, to gain a better understanding of the issues at hand.

The initial evaluation may take several meetings depending on the complexity of your case. At the end of the evaluation, Dr. Malik will present his assessment of the problem including diagnosis, prognosis, as well as recommendations. He will then work with you to develop a treatment plan and answer any questions or concerns.

Home › Services & Treatments › Counseling Services

Counseling Services

Providing individual, couples and family counseling.

Treatment specialization includes:

• Therapy for Depression and Anxiety
• Couples Counseling
• Family Counseling
• Parenting Support
• Grief Counseling
• Work and Career Issues
• Stress Management
• Addiction & Recovery
• Conflict Resolution

I work with a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues, providing services that span from therapy for depression and grief counseling to parenting support, couples counseling and beyond. In a comfortable and supportive atmosphere, I offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each of my clients' individual needs to help attain the personal growth they're striving for.

Home › Services & Treatments › Integrative Psychiatry

Integrative Psychiatry

Integrative Psychiatry is the field of medicine that combines the best of conventional and holistic modalities to offer patients better mental health care. I focus on the mind-body's ability to heal itself. I evaluate the whole person — body, mind, spirit — and I take into account all aspects of lifestyle in understanding mental health and illness, including diet and exercise, work and relationships. I value the patient–practitioner relationship most of all, and make use of all therapies, no matter where they come from, as long as they show reasonable evidence of efficacy. I incorporate safe, effective treatments that most psychiatrists have not been trained in, to support the mind-body's ability to heal itself: nutritional medicine, mind-body approaches, meditation, herbs, supplements and self-actualization — which I define as the individualized and unique drive for meaning, value and purpose in our lives and a connection to something beyond ourselves.

Sometimes, but not always, there are underlying root causes interfering with the mind-body's ability to heal itself naturally. There is a growing body of evidence linking issues like gut dysbiosis and "leaky gut," food allergies, mold toxicity, and chronic Lyme disease to chronic inflammation and neuro-inflammation, and hence to mental illness. Therefore I am trained in the evaluation and treatment of such issues. I also refer to and collaborate with naturopaths and acupuncturists as needed. I use medications in a more cautious manner, trying to maximize benefit and safety at the lowest dose possible. I am a firm believer in family centered care and a collaborative model that puts you at the center of all treatment decisions. In addition, I am also trained as a general psychiatrist.

If you or someone you love is suffering with chronic mental health issues and has not responded to prior care, or suffered bad side effects from conventional psychiatric medications, and you're looking for an alternative — or you're looking for a second opinion — then this approach could be the ticket to wellness and a better quality of life. The focus of an integrative psychiatric approach is on identifying underlying core issues such as inflammation, gut dysbiosis, methylation problems, nutritional imbalances, food allergies, and sleep and lifestyle/behavior patterns. I emphasize skill building and empowerment, and while I do use medications, I do so in a much more conservative and limited role — using medication as a catalyst for change rather than purely relying on it.

In short, integrative psychiatry includes a consideration of the environmental, social, spiritual, and physical spheres of life, in addition to cognitive and emotional factors that impact mental wellbeing. It is intuitive in style, scientific in framework, humanistic in approach, developmental in concept and collaborative in practice.

Home › Services & Treatments › Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy

Therapy starts with building trust so that communication can take place in a safe setting, leading to a healing partnership. Through this trusting alliance, an environment is created where it is acceptable to share uncensored thoughts, to experience difficult emotions, to challenge pervasive ways of thinking and to attempt new, healthier ways of thinking, feeling and living. Therapy is often scheduled weekly or bi-weekly on an ongoing basis. Psychoanalytic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis may be conducted anywhere from three to five times a week.

Dr. Malik offers adult individual psychoanalytically informed and mentalization based psychodynamic psychotherapy, supportive psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness based therapy, and couples & family therapy.

Dr. Malik also offers ketamine-assisted psychedelic psychotherapy — a deeper, consciousness-expanding psychotherapy experience with ketamine in oral/sublingual or IM form.

Home › Services & Treatments › Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

In addition to talk therapy, I now offer the possibility of a deeper, consciousness-expanding psychotherapy experience with the entheogenic and euphorigenic medicine ketamine, in oral/sublingual form. I do not operate an IV ketamine clinic.

Ketamine is now an "off-label" treatment for various chronic, "treatment-resistant" mental conditions. It is a Schedule III medication that has long been used safely as an anesthetic and analgesic agent and now, often effectively, for treatment of depression, alcoholism, substance dependencies, PTSD and other psychiatric diagnoses, as well as for existential, psychological and spiritual crises and growth.

How Does It Work?

The current, most probable understanding of ketamine's mode of action is as an NMDA antagonist working through the glutamate neurotransmitter system. This is a very different pathway than that of other psychiatric drugs such as the SSRIs, SNRIs, lamotrigine, anti-psychotics, benzodiazepines, etc.

Ketamine is classified as a dissociative anesthetic, dissociation meaning a sense of disconnection from one's ordinary reality and usual self. At the dosage level administered to you, you will most likely experience mild anesthetic, anxiolytic, antidepressant and, potentially, psychedelic effects.

The beliefs people hold, and the stories we tell ourselves, shape our identity and our internal model of reality. They shape our relationship with ourselves and other important people in our lives. When our belief system, with all its flaws and distortions, becomes rigidly fixed and/or tied to our ego, we build broken habits and make decisions that don't create what we want, because we have a faulty model of reality. And we suffer. Ketamine allows a dissolution of that rigid and inflexible way of perceiving and experiencing ourselves and the world around us. It allows one to question their firmly held assumptions about reality and build a more flexible mind, so that they have a broader range of responses available to deal with challenges in their lives.

While more recent work has demonstrated the possibility of an anti-depressant response to low dosages of ketamine administered in different routes such as intravenous, intramuscular (IM), intranasal and sublingual (in the mouth), this effect tends to be more sustained with repeated use — in other words, a cumulative effect. Hence, frequent sessions occur in the first 2–3 weeks.

No matter the route of administration, ketamine tends to produce dissociative effects in a broad range, depending on dosage and your susceptibility. It is my view that "dissociative" experiences may well be instrumental in providing a more robust effect. In the trance state, these effects are deliberately reduced in intensity to enable psychotherapy and direct communication. At higher but still sub-anesthetic doses, the dissociative effect predominates for a time, usually about a half hour to an hour.

Both methods tend to produce a positive change in outlook and character and relieve symptoms of depression, PTSD, anxiety, and other difficult states of mind and heart. I employ both sublingual and IM methods — generally beginning with the sublingual — as described herein. I do not support IV ketamine treatment at "infusion clinics," since it is not associated with therapy and post-session integration, which is the main mutative factor in ketamine treatment.

Essential to both methods are time-outs from our ordinary state of mind, this period being of varying duration, usually 30 to 90 minutes, though it will seem timeless. Characteristically, there is a relaxation from ordinary concerns and usual mind, while maintaining conscious awareness of the flow of mind under the influence of ketamine. This tends to lead to a disruption of negative feelings and obsessional preoccupations.

It is my view that this relief, and the exploration and experience of other possible states of consciousness, are uniquely impactful. As a therapist, I will act as a guide to the experience, preparing you for it and facilitating your process. For most people, KAP is singularly beneficial.

Why Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy?

The purpose of the sub-lingual ketamine lozenge sessions is to generate a robust anti-depressant, or other (PTSD, anxiety, etc.), benefit that often occurs over time with repeated administration of the lozenges, often in concert with the IM sessions. For some individuals, only the lozenge experience may be utilized, as this is sufficient for effect.

Your experience will be unique to you. And if you and I decide to have additional sessions using ketamine, each of your sessions will be different. The number of sessions varies based on personal needs and treatment responses. I cannot pre-program your experience. I will do my best to give a prognostic view as I learn with you how KAP affects you. All KAP journeys are adventures that cannot be programmed. They evolve from your own being in relation to this substance. Journeys vary in intensity from the sublingual lozenge trances to the IM experiences. While it is best to form an intention for your journey, you may or may not be able to hold onto that. Indeed, no holding on is best, and the journey will flow whether or not you hold on and resist, or follow the path that unfolds and you relax into it. Holding on is the main source of anxiety in this and other related journeys. A ketamine session can be light, dark, or both. There will be concepts, visions, encounters, and you may well deal with your own death, mortality, and immortality. Most journeys are enjoyable and all are filled with awe. Invariably you will discover a new sense of who you are and what is important to you. You will have a time-out from suffering and an opportunity to change your view.

Eligibility for Ketamine Treatment

Before participating in ketamine treatment, you will be carefully interviewed to determine if you are eligible for ketamine therapy, including a medical history, a physical exam if deemed necessary, review of your medical/psychiatric records, a psychiatric history and administration of brief psychological tests to assess your state of mind.

Pregnant women and nursing mothers are not eligible because of potential effects on the fetus or nursing child. The effects of ketamine on pregnancy and the fetus are undetermined, and therefore it is advisable to protect against pregnancy while exposing yourself to ketamine or in the immediate aftermath of its use.

Untreated hypertension is a contra-indication to ketamine use, as the substance causes a rise in BP. Similarly, a history of heart disease may make you ineligible to participate.

Information on ketamine's interaction with other medicines is only partially available, and it will be assessed as to your eligibility for KAP. Most psychiatric medications are compatible with KAP.

Ketamine should not be taken if you have untreated hyperthyroidism. There have also been reports of some decrease in immune function in patients receiving surgical doses of ketamine.

Ketamine has an extensive record of safety and has been used at much higher doses for surgical anesthesia, without respiratory depression.

Bladder dysfunction has occurred in recreational users of ketamine at very high and repeated doses. In clinical practice this has occurred very rarely.

Please be aware that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet established the appropriateness of Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy and its use is considered off-label, the only official "indication" for use of ketamine being anesthesia. Your awareness of this situation is key to understanding any liability associated with your use of ketamine. Your signed informed consent indicates you are aware of this situation.

Ketamine is a relatively new psychiatric treatment — the primary studies have been with depression, bipolar disorders and alcoholism. It is moving towards becoming a mainstream treatment. There is an expanding array of ketamine clinics across the country, primarily administering ketamine intravenously, and usually without a therapy component — in other words, as a drug. The therapeutic effect generally occurs with more than one treatment and is most robust when part of an overall treatment program. It may not permanently relieve depression. If your depressive symptoms respond to Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, you may still elect to be treated with medications and ongoing psychotherapy to try to reduce the possibility of relapse. Over time, you may also need additional ketamine treatments or other therapies to maintain your remission.

Home › Services & Treatments › Psychodynamic Psychiatry

Psychodynamic Psychiatry

Psychodynamic Psychiatry is a mode of outpatient psychiatric care that attempts to understand, in a mutually collaborative manner, the deeper meaning underlying a particular patient's presenting problems. Psychodynamic psychiatrists do not believe in panaceas or magic cures. We understand that the symptoms people tell us about are "over-determined" and "multiply complex." That means that there is no single explanation for any particular psychiatric illness, and hence, likely, no single treatment. It means that one must look at the hidden causes, often rooted in unconscious cognition and the psychosocial milieu, of manifest symptoms. It means that although medications can often help, they are rarely the only solution. There are often psychological and psychosocial reasons for failure to respond to medications, and sometimes combinations of medicines added out of frustration and prescriber anxiety can do more harm than good. And finally, it means that each individual's presentation is defined by their unique life narrative, their distinctive childhoods, their idiosyncratic developmental histories, medical histories, family histories, genetic predispositions, and the pattern of their relationships both past and present that are laid down in neural circuitry. A psychodynamic psychiatrist must hold this complexity in mind, rather than selectively focusing on only one aspect of the patient when creating an individualized treatment plan unique to a particular patient.

What makes us unique is the combination of memories, early life experiences, relational patterns, dreams, and imagination stored in our brains. For years, neuroscientists thought that these pathways in our brains were set in stone after we matured. But now it has become clear that these roads are under constant construction throughout our lives. Our neural pathways adjust themselves constantly to record and adapt to new experiences. Who we are depends on where we have been, who we have loved and who we have lost, and how we have processed those experiences, consciously and unconsciously. For some of us, painful memories can linger like an open wound, affect our relationships and hinder us from becoming who we want to become. But through a psychodynamic therapeutic process, a psychiatrist can help a patient access and modify some of those memories and problematic patterns in a way that they can reclaim their lives and transform their sense of self. This is not an easy process and requires both the patient and the therapist to work hard together. It requires an earnest and honest commitment to the work of therapy.

Home › Services & Treatments › Medication Management

Medication Management

It is necessary to carefully answer questions regarding past medications (name of medication, dates administered, dosage, and any reactions) in the history questionnaire. In the event that you do not remember the required information, it would be helpful to obtain such information from your doctor(s) and have it faxed directly to Dr. Malik at 310-684-2657. Pharmacies have computerized prescription records. If you can obtain one, send those also.

Dr. Malik may need to order routine lab tests and measure your vitals (blood pressure, heart rate, etc.) or obtain this information from your primary care physician before starting a medication. Once a medication is started, monitoring will be required and adjustments may need to be made. The frequency of these visits will vary and is based on your response to the medication, side effects and severity of symptoms.

See also: Genetic Testing — P450 testing to personalize medication selection.

Home › Services & Treatments › Genetic Testing

Genetic Testing

Genetic testing has improved our ability to personalize treatment based on an individual's unique ability to process medications. Each person's genetic makeup influences how they will respond to a given medication. Dr. Malik utilizes P450 genetic testing for some patients to help choose medications and to provide a personalized approach to prescribing. This allows Dr. Malik to help patients get better faster and to minimize side effects.

This test is especially useful for patients who fear trying psychiatric medications because of a bad experience or a bad side effect with medications in the past. The testing allows us to choose only the medications that patients have a high likelihood of responding to without side effects. Studies have also shown that when doctors utilized genetic testing to guide treatment decisions, patients were two times as likely to respond to the selected medication. It is as easy as rubbing a cotton swab on the inside of the cheek. The test is affordable and results are available in a matter of days.

Contact the office to find out how genetic testing can customize a medication regimen that addresses your symptoms quickly and minimizes side effects.

Home › Services & Treatments › Mind–Body Medicine

Mind–Body Medicine

As far as possible, I try to incorporate mind-body interventions in my treatment plan. This is because all the latest research in the fields of neuropsychology, neurobiology, and psychoneuroimmunology shows that the so-called mind-body distinction appears to be a fictitious dichotomy. The act of perception and cognition is a synergistic process of the human organism as a whole, involving the neurological, immunological, endocrine, and neuromuscular systems. So, "mind" is inextricably linked with brain, and vice-versa.

This was essentially what I learned through all my years in medicine in general, and psychiatry in particular. Many of the symptoms described as "psychological" symptoms are actually physical symptoms, or are manifested physically. At a very basic level, the stress response that gives rise to manifold modern physical and psychiatric ailments is the mind in hyper-drive. It releases all kinds of stress hormones that constrict blood vessels, raise blood pressure, increase blood sugar, damage the heart and decrease the mind-body's natural immunity and resilience.

As such, learning to use mindfulness meditation, breath focused meditation, mantra meditation, deep breathing and other techniques as a way of eliciting the relaxation response makes empirical and common sense. In addition to medications and surgery, psychotherapy and mind body interventions thus complete the three legged stool of modern, holistic medicine.

Home › Services & Treatments › International Patients / Telemedicine

International Patients / Telemedicine

Dr. Malik's Asian, British, and US educational and cultural background leaves him uniquely qualified to help a diverse, international, and multicultural group of patients. As someone who grew up in Asia, lived in Canada and England, and studied in America, he understands the unique emotional and cultural issues affecting expat mental health. Psychiatric interviews and treatment, including psychotherapy, are conducted in four languages: English, Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. Whenever possible, Dr. Malik prefers to conduct the initial interview in person in his office in Santa Monica. Continuity of care and personalized follow-up is provided worldwide through periodic visits and electronic communications.

Note: Dr. Malik offers remote consultations for all new and existing clients.

Home › Conditions Treated › Depression and Anxiety

Depression and Anxiety

Depression commonly manifests physically, through stomach pains, headaches, disrupted or excessive sleep, and motor control difficulty. While the causes of depression are unknown, a predisposition for it runs in families and it can be triggered by trauma and adverse life circumstances. Depression is diagnosed more frequently in women and tends to display differently in women than in men.

People tend to suffer higher rates of depression after giving birth and in late fall. Depression and anxiety often exacerbate each other, and people with depression commonly have difficulty concentrating on tasks and conversations. Some people abuse alcohol and drugs or overeat as a way of coping, causing them to develop other medical problems. Depressed people are also at increased risk for self-harm.

Depression is a mental illness which is characterized by prolonged emotional symptoms including:

• Apathy
• Sadness
• Guilt
• Exhaustion
• Irritability

Diagnosing depression involves a psychiatric evaluation and physical tests to determine whether a person's symptoms are actually being caused by a different disorder. A person must have been experiencing symptoms for at least two weeks to be diagnosed with depression. Every case is unique and requires individual attention, but there are a number of effective complementary ways of treating depression, including:

• Talk therapy
• Medication
• Adopting a healthier lifestyle

Home › Conditions Treated › Addiction and Recovery

Addiction and Recovery

An addiction is a chronic disorder in which an individual is blinded by a substance, or engages in an activity, that gives them an immense amount of pleasure but has become detrimental to their everyday life. Compulsive behaviors and addictions can temporarily provide confidence, control, validation or other emotions lacking in one's life, but the behavior may not stop until the root of the problem is addressed.

Addiction changes the brain through the limbic system, also known as the "brain reward system." This part of the brain is responsible for producing feelings of pleasure and will manifest thoughts such as, "I deserve this," or "Let's do that again." The abuse of addictive substances and behaviors triggers this system, which can prolong a continuous cycle of destructive behavior.

Common addictions include, but are not limited to:

• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Gambling
• Internet
• Shopping
• Food

Seek Professional Assistance

People who have developed an addiction may be unaware that it is out of control, which is why counseling is an essential part of working through and managing this condition. An addiction of any sort can be exhausting, and one should never go through the recovery process alone.

Many treatment plans focus on talk therapy and behavior therapy and can be performed in a group or through one-on-one sessions. During these sessions, patients analyze the reasons behind their addiction(s), what their triggers are, and what helped them control impulses in the past. Patients also learn coping skills so they can manage the compulsions without relapsing.

Home › Conditions Treated › Mood Disorders and Personality

Mood Disorders and Personality

Everyone (hopefully) has a personality. We all have our individual peccadilloes, quirks, traits and characteristics that make us unique to those who know and love us. Some of us are flexible and adaptive, by and large, in the way we relate to people. Some of us, however, have characteristic, long-held, but extraordinarily rigid and unwavering ways of thinking, feeling, behaving, and relating to others that, when they become so pervasive and inflexible as to cause persistent problems in living and interpersonal relationships, constitute a "personality disorder." Such individuals experience transient but intense, almost intolerable mood fluctuations, typically in times of stress, and mostly as a reaction to what others say and do, based on their perception of how and why other people treat them the way they do. This perception can be a mix of subjective truth, painful reality and extremely distorted thinking. Many so-called "normal" and highly functioning individuals may also regress to this level of functioning during times of extreme upheaval in their lives. Their mood symptoms may include anger, irritability, depression, emotional turmoil, hostility and aggression.

Many personality disordered individuals actually come for treatment at the urging of others — friends, relatives or authorities who are alarmed by their behavior, behavior that the person either discounts or is able to ignore but nonetheless repeats to their detriment. Others come on their own, seeking therapy not for their personality but for more specific distress: anxiety, depression, addictions, violence, and relationship problems among others.

These individuals often get misdiagnosed with major psychiatric illnesses as prescribers try in vain to find medications that work. Unfortunately, the individual's environment and their relationships are often not addressed. Medications alone cannot change lifelong relational patterns that are laid down in neural circuits. Nor can medications change the very real stressors people find themselves under with regards to family and/or work. These people need a psychodynamically informed psychopharmacology for their specific symptoms, so that they will not be overmedicated. They benefit from psychotherapy: to stabilize their sense of personal wellbeing, to have their internal experience validated and understood, to differentiate distortion from reasonable cognition, so that they may better regulate their impulsive behaviors and mood swings and directly address what is going on in their interpersonal relationships. Occasionally, significant others may need to be involved in treatment.

Psychotherapy also fosters their ability to think about themselves as agents of their actions, to feel in control — in fact, to know what they feel and understand better its significance. This will help them understand others better too, and create more satisfying and empathic social relationships. Once people are able to reflect upon, accept, understand and reframe their inner emotional states of mind, then their symptoms, fears, fantasies and anxieties may no longer seem intolerable, but as part of the experience of being human. This way, they may develop the ability to be mindful of, and change, however incrementally, the way they behave or react to their loved ones under stress. Vice versa, their family may reciprocate and also embrace constructive change. If that happens, it may be the beginning of a path to a caring and more meaningful connectedness, and more fulfilling — or at the very least, less distressing and chaotic — lives, both for themselves and their significant others.

Home › Conditions Treated › Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder

Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder

Panic attacks are brief episodes of extreme fear. They may be mistaken for heart attacks or strokes, but are actually psychological rather than physical. Panic attacks can occur suddenly and usually peak within ten minutes. Most panic attacks end within 20 to 30 minutes.

Some symptoms include:

• Chills
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Chest pain
• Palpitations
• Shaking
• Feelings of suffocation

Sometimes panic attacks are isolated incidents, but if a person has had at least two panic attacks and lives in fear of having another, they may have panic disorder. A panic attack can happen without an obvious cause, but people with panic disorder may develop phobias related to something they associate with panic attacks, including open spaces and large crowds.

Panic disorder is classified as an anxiety disorder, and like other forms of anxiety, it is commonly treated with a combination of therapy, medications, and healthy lifestyle changes. Anxiety patients are also encouraged to do breathing exercises, get regular exercise, and to avoid stimulants.

Home › Conditions Treated › Phobias

Phobias

Encountering certain obstacles or situations may leave one frightened, such as being afraid of the dark, high heights, or animals. Most of us are able to remain calm, rationalize the situation, and find a way around it, but this doesn't work for everyone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 10 million adults live with some kind of phobia.

What is a phobia?

Phobias, according to the American Psychological Association, are intense fears that result in distress and can be intrusive. Individuals with this anxiety disorder have an irrational fear of things that don't pose any real threat.

Here are a few examples of common phobias:

• Arachnophobia — the fear of spiders
• Acrophobia — the fear of heights
• Agoraphobia — the fear of being in a situation you can't escape from

The American Psychiatric Association simplified the symptoms into two points:

• An out-of-proportion reaction, as well as the age playing a role in being inappropriate
• The individual's capability to behave normally is compromised

Treatment options

Unlike anxiety disorders such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, there isn't extensive research that has been completed on phobias, but that hasn't stopped mental health professionals from finding ways to help patients.

• Therapists help treat phobias by using psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy. Patients receive CBT (cognitive behavior therapy), where they can learn how to think, react, and behave to whatever it is that they fear. It is meant to reduce the feeling of overwhelming anxiety.
• Medications, on the other hand, aren't a cure, but they help patients deal with symptoms.
• Individuals can also learn stress-management techniques, such as meditation, yoga, or other holistic approaches.

While one of these methods may work for some, professionals may provide their patients with a combination of these treatments and remedies. The cause of anxiety disorder is unknown — it may be due to genetics, the environment, or even development. People dealing with phobias should seek help.

Home › Conditions Treated › Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders

Body image is the mental representation that one creates in their mind, but it may or may not relate to how others see an individual. The skewed view that someone has of their body is a culprit affecting people across the globe, where ethnicity, culture, gender, and age may all fall prey to it. According to ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders), about 30 million Americans suffer from some sort of eating disorder. Eating disorders hold a record for having the highest mortality rate when compared to other mental illnesses; someone dies of an eating disorder every 62 minutes.

Types of Eating Disorders

There are copious numbers of eating disorders, and the statistics mentioned above don't begin to scratch the surface. Here are a few examples:

• Anorexia Nervosa: People reduce the amount of energy intake required for their weight, age, gender, development and physical health.
• Bulimia Nervosa: Individuals consume large amounts of food, and then induce themselves to vomit to stop weight gain.
• Binge Eating Disorder (BED): Eating large amounts of food in small periods of time.
• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): Children become malnourished because they restrict themselves from eating certain foods.
• Diabulimia: People with Type 1 diabetes purposely underuse insulin to control their weight.

Treatment Methods

Like other mental disorders and illnesses, care should involve a diverse team of experts. It's recommended that professional caretakers include the following:

• Psychologist
• Psychiatrist
• Social worker
• Nutritionist
• Primary care physician

Due to the severe toll that eating disorders may have on an individual's physical health, psychological therapy is not enough. It's also important, if possible, to incorporate family therapy and support groups. Family-Based Treatment, according to NEDA, is a method used for patients who are minors.

In severe cases, inpatient care may be necessary; the person suffering from the eating disorder will be hospitalized or placed in residential care.

Home › Conditions Treated › Couples Counseling

Couples Counseling

Factors of everyday life can put an abundant strain on a relationship. Severe stressors may include resentment, infidelity, intimacy issues, lack of trust, and miscommunication. When problems go unresolved, or a partner is suffering from mental illness or health complications, one can feel helpless or have feelings of guilt or shame. Communicating effectively on both parts can alleviate emotional anxiety from subjects of all kinds.

Couples often seek couples or marriage counseling when the relationship is at a standstill, or if they are unsure whether or not the relationship is worth salvaging. This type of therapy can benefit families with children who have been affected by relationship issues such as divorce, and confront the source of the conflict.

Treatment techniques may include the following:

• Gottman Method
• Narrative Therapy
• Emotionally Focused Therapy
• Positive Psychology
• Imago Relationship Therapy
• Analyzing Your Communication
• Getting to the Root of the Problem
• Enhancing Intimacy
• Individual Counseling
• Couple Retreat

When a relationship is showing signs of addiction, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and/or severe depression, seek guidance from a counselor immediately, for your safety and your partner's.

Home › Conditions Treated › Family Counseling

Family Counseling

Is your family going through a rough patch? Whether the issue stems from a lack of understanding between those involved, sibling conflict, or developmental disagreements with a child, a difficult situation can have an effect on the entire family. Family counseling, or family therapy, can be helpful when problems arise and can help restore and improve communication.

Some situations that may benefit from family counseling include:

• If a family is going through a loss
• If a family member is suffering from substance abuse
• Issues between parents (parenting issues or going through a divorce)
• If a teenager is experiencing behavior issues such as anger outbursts
• Sibling conflict

How can family counseling help?

Family counseling can help open up a line of dialogue and communication, and can help family members understand each other's perspectives. This makes it easier to resolve disputes. During the counseling sessions, each member has the ability to learn ways of communicating better, as well as developing techniques to de-escalate arguments while making sure that everybody is getting heard. This can also help with parenting problems such as conflicting parenting styles, rule enforcement, and remaining consistent with your child once the rules are established.

How is it accomplished?

Family therapy or counseling can be used in addition to individual treatment. The goal is to improve relationships and improve methods of communication and conflict resolution. Families are a unique ecosystem, and issues affecting one member of a family can reverberate and affect the whole unit. Additional benefits of this type of counseling are that in some instances, the sessions can heal emotional wounds in a short period of time.

Home › Conditions Treated › Grief and Loss

Grief and Loss

Throughout the course of our years, we all experience a loss at some point in our lives. In fact, statistics show that 1 in 5 children will experience the death of someone close to them before 18 years of age. Feelings of grief and loss are not always associated with death, however, but commonly surface after a loss of some kind — whether it is the loss of a loved one, a severed relationship, a pregnancy, a pet, or a job.

When a person loses something or someone valuable to them, feelings of grief can be overbearing. Grief can leave a person feeling sad, hopeless, isolated, irritable, and numb, affecting them mentally, emotionally, and physically. It's important to understand that healing from grief is a process and everyone copes with this emotion differently.

Many people don't know what to say or do when a person is grieving, but be sure to have patience with the individual (including yourself) throughout the entire process.

An alternative treatment method includes psychotherapy. Through psychotherapy, a patient may:

• Improve coping skills
• Reduce feelings of blame and guilt
• Explore and process emotions

Consider seeking professional support if feelings of grief do not ease over time.

Home › Conditions Treated › Grief Counseling

Grief Counseling

Grief is the emotional response to any type of loss — perhaps of a loved one due to death or divorce, but also the loss of a job, a pet, financial stability, or safety after trauma. Feelings of grief can be overwhelming, and it can be hard to know how to manage and overcome these emotions. It is important to have patience with yourself and others during this process, as it is a healthy part of healing. If you are having trouble coping on your own, or know of someone who could use extra support, a therapist can assist.

There is no orderly process of passing through stages of anger, denial and acceptance. Everyone experiences loss differently based on their personality, culture, and beliefs, among many other factors.

Common symptoms of grief include:

• Shock and disbelief: feeling numb about the event, having trouble believing it happened, denying it, or expecting to suddenly see the person you lost.
• Sadness: crying, or having feelings of emptiness, despair, yearning, or loneliness.
• Guilt: regret over things unsaid or undone, feeling responsible for the death or the event, or shame from feeling relieved by a person's passing.
• Anger: blaming someone for injustice.
• Fear: feelings of anxiety, helplessness, and insecurity, or having panic attacks.
• Physical symptoms: fatigue, nausea, weight loss or gain, aches and pains, and insomnia.

Coping with Grief and Loss

An important part of healing is knowing that you are not alone. Seek support from your friends, family, or faith, or join a bereavement support group. Sharing your loss can make the grieving process easier. Remember to take care of yourself — to eat, sleep, and exercise even when you're too stressed or fatigued to do so. A healthy alternative is to seek the help of a professional therapist. A therapist can help you work through your intense emotions in a safe environment.

Home › Conditions Treated › Conflict Resolution

Conflict Resolution

We all have moments of frustration, whether they be associated with a friend, a family member, or a disagreement in your everyday life, but there are several positive strategies to utilize when it comes to dealing with conflict.

What qualifies as a conflict?

According to the Office of Human Resource Development at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, conflict is understood by analyzing various behaviors and the consequences each behavior produces on individuals living the dilemma.

• Avoidance: This is the person who wishes to ignore the problem and will allow it to dissipate or squander. Unfortunately, quite the contrary is happening in this situation. The problem then swells under the surface until it's no longer avoidable and will need to be addressed.
• Standing your Ground: People who use this technique may appear controlling and aggressive in their means of communication. They fear not having their needs met if they don't set the rules and direct the conversation.
• Surrendering: Often perceived as the diplomat, the person using this tactic concedes to the needs of others. They place the needs and opinions of others above their own because preserving the relationship(s) is the ultimate goal.
• Compromise/Sacrifice: This method is a sort of concession and, while it seems to be a good route to take, it's not the best approach. People in this category make a sequence of tradeoffs, which means they are focusing on what they want as opposed to understanding the other's viewpoint.
• Collaborate: People who practice collaboration care about win-win solutions. This simply means that they scout common aspirations and needs, to where every party knows their opinions and feelings are important and are going to be heard. This style needs a lot of cooperation, assertiveness and communication among the parties.

Ultimately, understanding your wants and needs as well as your behavior patterns will establish internal insight. You will have a better understanding, not just of yourself, but of others around you and how situations may or may not unfold. This knowledge will give you the preliminary tools for conflict resolution.

Home › Conditions Treated › Intimacy and Relationship Issues

Intimacy and Relationship Issues

Intimacy problems widely occur behind a variety of closed doors. Conflicts may include a loss of harmony between the sheets, a lack of sexual desire between either partner, or failure in communication. There are often psychological factors that may contribute to a sexual disorder such as erectile dysfunction, or a lowered desire after a new mother has given birth. Intimacy issues are common, but if one or more become severe and there is no resolution in sight, it may be time to seek therapy for guidance.

What makes a satisfactory relationship?

• Trust
• Mindfulness
• Mutual Respect
• Communication

Some of the signs that sex problems are affecting a relationship include:

• Disappointment in oneself or the relationship
• One or both partners are feeling dissatisfied
• Couples lack communication and disconnect from one another
• One or both partners feel neglected or unwanted
• A feeling of sexual boredom or unhappiness

Steps to take for treating intimacy issues begin with:

• Psychosexual Therapy: this technique allows couples to express themselves in a safe environment with a trusted and supportive professional.
• Relationship Counseling: healthy relationships require strong connections and time to build trust. Whatever the issue may be, a counselor can work with individuals together or separately to overcome the problem.

Home › Conditions Treated › Parenting and Family Issues

Parenting and Family Issues

The number of situations associated with parenting and families is endless, but common conflicts can include in-laws sticking their nose in your relationship, differences of opinion when it comes to raising children, and even trauma, such as domestic violence, or alcohol and drug abuse. It can be challenging to watch family members struggle, and in most cases, you may not know how to resolve the problem. Seeking support from a mental health professional can help parents and families develop acceptance and skills to repair relationships that may seem unsalvageable.

Other parenting and family issues may include:

• Being a single parent
• Divorce
• Infidelity
• Problems caused by divorced parents entering new relationships
• Fewer opportunities for parents and children to spend time together
• Deployment

Parenting and family issues are oftentimes intertwined. Treatment methods vary and will depend on an individual or family situation. The healing process may focus on improving communication between family members, as well as finding healthy ways of resolving a conflict. Setting clear boundaries and communicating effectively as a parental unit can set a good example for your children and/or your spouse. If a child is suffering from a genetic disorder or a mental health condition, these are topics that can be addressed with family or individual counseling. Couples counseling is effective at supporting parents in child-rearing.

You don't have to face parenting and family challenges alone. Seek help from a qualified therapist or a professional support group to gain some much-needed perspective that will allow you to effectively work through the problems at hand.

Home › Conditions Treated › Parenting Support

Parenting Support

Being a parent carries a lot of responsibility, and the process can be difficult at times. Whether you are married or single, you may have feelings as though you are on your own, especially if you are dealing with a difficult situation or behavior issues with your child. It's important to address these problems, and seeking the help of a therapist and/or parent support group can alleviate the stress.

Why is parenting support necessary?

Sometimes a parent needs guidance when reinforcing rules and setting boundaries for a child. If a person is going through a divorce, this can affect a child or children involved. Each of these issues can affect a family unit, and it's important that you don't weather the storm alone. Parent support groups can assist with improving parenting skills, as well as relationships between the parent and child.

What does parenting support look like?

• Therapy can be in the form of a support group with other parents, one-on-one sessions with a therapist, or may involve family counseling. Support can be helpful if you have a young child who is going through some kind of developmental or genetic disorder.
• Parenting support can take the form of group therapy, which involves meeting with other parents to discuss your child's behaviors and offer advice to one another.

Home › Conditions Treated › Stress Management

Stress Management

Everyone encounters stress during their lives at one point — never-ending bills, demanding schedules, work, and family responsibilities — and that can make stress seem inescapable and uncontrollable. Stress management skills are designed to help a person take control of their lifestyle, thoughts, and emotions and teach them healthy ways to cope with their problems.

Find the Cause

The first step in stress management is identifying your stressors. While this sounds fairly easy — it's not hard to point to major changes or a lot of work piling up — chronic stress can be complicated, and most people don't realize how their habits contribute to their stress. Maybe work piling up isn't from the actual demands of your job, but more so from your procrastination. You have to claim responsibility for the role you play in creating your stress, or you won't be able to control it.

Strategies for Stress Management

Once you've found what causes your stress, focus on what you can control. Eliminate the realistic stressors and develop consistent de-stressing habits. Instead of watching TV or responding to texts in bed after work, take a walk, or read a book. Maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough quality sleep will ease feelings of stress and help you relax.

Also, make a conscious effort to set aside time for yourself and for relaxation. Alone time can be whatever you need it to be. Some people like doing activities such as tai chi, yoga, or meditation, but you can also treat yourself to something simple, like taking a bubble bath, listening to music, or watching a funny movie.

Finally, don't feel like you have to solve your stress on your own. Reach out to your family and friends. Whether you need help with a problem or just need someone to listen, find a person who will be there to positively reinforce and support you. If stress becomes chronic, don't hesitate to seek the help of a therapist.

Home › Conditions Treated › Work and Career Issues

Work and Career Issues

Most of us spend more time at work than at home, therefore the workplace should be an environment where we feel safe and comfortable. However, because work is where a bunch of different personalities, communication styles, and worldviews gather around, things don't always go smoothly. In fact, workplace bullying is on the rise and though statistics vary, some studies reveal that nearly half of all American workers have been affected by this problem, either as a target or as a witness to abusive behavior against a co-worker.

Examples of common workplace issues include:

• Poor job fit
• Mental anguish
• Sexual or verbal harassment
• Discrimination
• Low motivation and job dissatisfaction

How a Therapist Can Help

Therapy for work and career issues can help a person develop a better understanding of their wants and needs, as well as approach alternative ways to handle tension while on the clock. Therapy is a neutral setting where patients can discuss their fears, worries, or stressors, and regain control of their happiness.

Psychotherapy tends to work well when addressing workplace issues, because talk therapy such as this can effectively treat depression and anxiety that can stem from these conflicts. A mental health professional can also teach coping skills that will help a person manage work-related stress.

Home › Conditions Treated › Other Issues Treated

Other Issues Treated

Some other psychological issues that I treat include:

Home › Rates, Insurance & Policies

Rates, Insurance & Policies

Dr. Malik bills for his time on an hourly basis. He sees individual patients for a 50-minute therapeutic hour, during which most patients will need both therapy and medication management. An initial, comprehensive diagnostic evaluation or consultation may last between 60–75 minutes. Occasionally, Dr. Malik may see some follow-up patients for only 25-minute medication and therapy sessions. Dr. Malik does not see patients for 15-minute medication checks. Family and couples sessions are scheduled as indicated and are more expensive. Fees may be incurred for other professional services, such as preparation of reports/treatment summaries and consulting with other professionals about your care.

It is Dr. Malik's policy to collect payment for the first appointment at the time of the appointment. Payment for any psychological testing is due at the time of the testing. Payment for subsequent services is due when billed. We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, checks and cash. Please contact Dr. Malik's office for further information about fees for services rendered. Dr. Malik will work with you to create a payment plan that meets your needs.

Insurance

Please note: No insurance is accepted. We do not accept Medicare or Medicaid.

Dr. Malik does not accept any insurance and is not on any HMO panels. He is considered an out-of-network provider for PPO insurance plans. His office can provide you with a bill for services rendered (a superbill) that you may submit to your insurance company for reimbursement of a portion of your fee, if you have out-of-network benefits. The office will not process payments from health insurance companies. Full payment is due at the time service is rendered. Please contact your insurance company for information regarding your out-of-network benefits.

Cancellation and No-Show Policy

Please note that if you need to postpone your appointment, you are required to give at least 48 hours advance notice. You may not cancel a Monday appointment on the weekend. The full fee will be charged for all appointments that are canceled without at least 48 hours notice, as well as any missed appointments.

Please understand that when you commit to an appointment, you are leasing a certain amount of my time that is devoted only to you. When you do not show, your treatment and my livelihood both suffer. I allow one unbilled late cancellation or no-show per year if there is an emergency. If you cancel your appointments too often, I will bring this up with you. If you continue to cancel frequently, I may end the treatment.

Home › FAQs

FAQs

Home › Forms

Forms

Helpful forms for new and existing patients. If you're a new patient, please complete the intake paperwork before your first appointment — see Comprehensive Evaluation for what to send, and where.

Practice Forms (PDF)

• Client Psychotherapy Intake Form
• Authorization to Disclose Information Form
• Limits of Confidentiality / Therapy Cancellation Policy

New Patient Paperwork (PDF)

• New Patient History Questionnaire
• Symptom Inventory (PDSQ)
• New Patient Demographics
• Privacy Policy
• Payment Agreement
• Release Forms

Completed forms can be emailed to armalikmd@gmail.com, mailed, or faxed to the office (fax 310-684-2657) before your appointment. Case records are strictly confidential, and only Dr. Malik has access to them.

Home › Appointment Request

Appointment Request

New patients: To request an intake assessment, individual, couples, marriage or family therapy appointment, or to ask a question about any of these services, please call the office or email armalikmd@gmail.com. Final approval is subject to Dr. Malik's screening.

Call 424-259-2673  Email armalikmd@gmail.com

Arriving for Your Appointment

Please arrive on time for your appointment. If you are a new patient and have not sent in your paperwork, please arrive at least 15–20 minutes prior to your appointment to complete required paperwork. If you are late, your visit will not be extended. If you have missed more than half of your appointment time (15 minutes for a follow-up medication appointment), the appointment will need to be rescheduled. This does not apply to therapy appointments. If you arrive late for your session, you will be seen for the remaining time of your appointment.

Note: Underground parking is available for a fee. Street parking is available nearby. When you arrive inside the waiting room, press the light next to the nameplate for Arsalan Malik, MD to indicate your arrival.

See also: Rates, Insurance & Policies — including the 48-hour cancellation policy — and Contact for office directions and details.

Home › Blog

Blog

Dr. Malik's writing on psychiatry, psychotherapy and mental health is published on his blogs:

• armalikmd.blogspot.com
• arsalanmalikmd.blogspot.com

Home › Links & Resources

Links & Resources

Mental Health Links

The following links are listed to provide you with additional online mental health care information and counseling resources.

• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Center for Online Addiction
• Answers to Your Questions About Panic Disorder
• National Center for PTSD
• Questions and Answers about Memories of Childhood Abuse
• The National Domestic Violence Hotline
• Depression and How Therapy Can Help
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• SAMHSA's Suicide Prevention
• Suicide Awareness Voices of Education
• Internet Mental Health

Home › Privacy & Policy

Privacy & Policy

Confidentiality & Privacy Policy

The law protects the relationship between a client and a psychotherapist, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission.

Exceptions include:

• Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse, for which I am required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s, I must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
• If a client intends to harm himself or herself, I will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in ensuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, I will take further measures without their permission that are provided to me by law in order to ensure their safety.

See also the Privacy Policy (PDF) provided with the new patient paperwork.