My Background
I am a board-certified adult psychiatrist licensed to practice in the state of Pennsylvania. I graduated from Yale Medical School and completed residency training at the Massachusetts General Hospital / McLean Hospital (Harvard Medical School), where I was a chief resident. Practicing in both English and Mandarin Chinese, I have over 10 years of clinical experience in various healthcare settings, and have served as a mental health expert consultant to other specialists. I have served as a faculty of Harvard Medical School, where I taught and precepted Harvard medical students. I am an active member of my community and frequently serve as a guest speaker on mental health issues.
My approach
I believe that in order to truly help an individual, understanding is a crucial first step. Therefore, our work together begins with a thorough assessment (60-90 minutes). This involves getting to know your medical history and genetic predispositions, getting to know significant events and relationships that had lasting effects on you, and understanding your social and cultural background.
I take an integrative approach to treatment. This means looking at the whole person, not just the symptoms, to uncover the root causes of mental health challenges. I combine evidence-based psychiatric care with lifestyle interventions, mindfulness practices, and personalized wellness strategies. When appropriate and based on the patient’s preferences, I incorporate vitamins and supplements to support mental well-being, ensuring that all treatment options are aligned with your goals and overall health.
As a part of the diagnostic workup, I may order labs to rule out possible medical causes for mood and anxiety issues. For example, I might check your iron level and thyroid level to make sure your fatigue is not due to a deficiency.
While my rigorous academic training and extensive clinical experience have equipped me to be an expert psychopharmacologist, I generally work to reduce one’s medication load and am very mindful of potential side effects and interactions among different medications. I am happy to collaborate closely with primary care physicians, specialists, as well as other therapists.
Treatment plans are always collaboratively designed with your unique strengths and vulnerabilities in mind.