ABOUT THE PSYCHIATRIST AND THE PRACTICE
Prescribing and Treating Physician. : Dr DePalma , DO, Psychiatrist , ABPN Board Certified , Medication Management, Therapy
Dr. DePalma has a background that varies from years of "hard science" research in the Biological and Neurological sciences with molecular and genetic research publications in top journals such as Science magazine and Development, to years mastering the "art" of Psychotherapy. He has dedicated himself to the treatment of the mind and spirit, skillfully incorporating Psychotherapy and mindfulness therapies with his knowledge of biological science and Psychopharmacology.
Dr. DePalma has treated a wide variety of patients including those with Depression, Anxiety PTSD, ADHD, OCD, Bipolar and Schizophrenia, as well as patients who are stuck and discontent with their lives, feeling ineffective, or are in emotional turmoil or crisis. He works primarily in the outpatient clinic these days and occasionally in the hospital setting.
Dr. DePalma is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Above all, Dr. DePalma is a caring, warm and personable Doctor who is non-judgmental and driven to ease suffering and better the lives of his patients.
Dr DePalma is not currently seeing patients below the age of 18.
Treating :
Depression Bipolar Disorder
ADHD OCD Relationship Issues
Anxiety Trauma and PTSD Psychosis/Schizophrenia
Dysfunctional patterns of thought and emotional regulation
Medication Management:
The role medication may play in a treatment plan is individualized and unique to each patient. The right medication can be highly effective in reducing symptom severity. With a degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology in addition to being a Physician in Psychiatry, Dr. DePalma has an intricate understanding of the brain from a biological standpoint with volumes of knowledge regarding the metabolism, absorption, interactions and potential benefits and risks of the medications that may or may not be appropriate for your treatment. If deemed appropriate and targeted specifically, medication can be an important and sometimes crucial tool in a treatment plan.
Depression Bipolar Disorder
ADHD OCD Relationship Issues
Anxiety Trauma and PTSD Psychosis/Schizophrenia
Dysfunctional patterns of thought and emotional regulation
Medication Management:
The role medication may play in a treatment plan is individualized and unique to each patient. The right medication can be highly effective in reducing symptom severity. With a degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology in addition to being a Physician in Psychiatry, Dr. DePalma has an intricate understanding of the brain from a biological standpoint with volumes of knowledge regarding the metabolism, absorption, interactions and potential benefits and risks of the medications that may or may not be appropriate for your treatment. If deemed appropriate and targeted specifically, medication can be an important and sometimes crucial tool in a treatment plan.
Mindfulness / Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT):
A deceptively simple yet permeating technique that can be applied to and incorporated into these treatments. It is the simplicity of this method that leads to its elusiveness. "Simple" does not always equate with "easy". This approach takes a certain vigilance. There are many strategies and modalities of mindfulness. ACT Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is one strategy that takes much of the illusiveness out of mindfulness, making building skills a much more clear and simple (still not easy) process.
Problems, wounds emotions and suffering are approached in a more clear, non-judgmental manner. Mindfulness can also facilitate long term pattern change.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a highly targeted and well researched approach that focuses on dysfunctional patterns of cognition and resulting behavior. The stream of daily thought itself, much of which we take for granted and let slide, often creating pain for ourselves and others, is the material with which we work. Synapses are created in this process and beneficial, nourishing neural networks are strengthened while harmful networks are allowed to atrophy. Elements of CBT can be combined with ACT training and vice versa in highly effective ways.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a nuanced and powerful form of treatment. Emotion is used as a map leading to fundamental insight and growth. The end goal is a peace and a freedom from longstanding emotional pain and maladaptive patterns. In the first sessions time is spent discussing the issues at hand. Together, we will then choose an approach to focus on that is most appropriate for you.
A deceptively simple yet permeating technique that can be applied to and incorporated into these treatments. It is the simplicity of this method that leads to its elusiveness. "Simple" does not always equate with "easy". This approach takes a certain vigilance. There are many strategies and modalities of mindfulness. ACT Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is one strategy that takes much of the illusiveness out of mindfulness, making building skills a much more clear and simple (still not easy) process.
Problems, wounds emotions and suffering are approached in a more clear, non-judgmental manner. Mindfulness can also facilitate long term pattern change.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a highly targeted and well researched approach that focuses on dysfunctional patterns of cognition and resulting behavior. The stream of daily thought itself, much of which we take for granted and let slide, often creating pain for ourselves and others, is the material with which we work. Synapses are created in this process and beneficial, nourishing neural networks are strengthened while harmful networks are allowed to atrophy. Elements of CBT can be combined with ACT training and vice versa in highly effective ways.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a nuanced and powerful form of treatment. Emotion is used as a map leading to fundamental insight and growth. The end goal is a peace and a freedom from longstanding emotional pain and maladaptive patterns. In the first sessions time is spent discussing the issues at hand. Together, we will then choose an approach to focus on that is most appropriate for you.