Caroline Ahlers, MD, LLC

Psychiatry as a science and an art..

Treatment plans typically involve medication leveraged with psychotherapy to rework the psychological tendencies which created emotional vulnerability which led, over time, to the acute illness. 

 

On the science side, psychopharmacology is a useful tool to enable patients to get "unstuck."  I view diagnosis as the most important element of treatment.   The intake appointment lasts 2 hours, to gather a thorough clinical history used to generate a diagnostic model used to prescribe treatment. 

 

Humanistic..

On the psychological side, my approach has been influenced most by the philosophies of the humanistic psychology - especially Abraham Maslow and Erik Berne.  This conceptualizes human needs and human interactions as the core of an individual's well-being.  

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My approach to the patient is "human to human," in contrast to maternalist or authoritarian.  I believe that if a psychiatrist or therapist can not be human themself, there is no hope of connecting with another individual.  Boundaries are very important component of my philosophy -- as all people, young and old -- need them to feel safe and secure.

 

Treatments that work..

I am results-oriented, with the goal of treatment being remission of symptoms and optimal functioning.  Sometimes I say, "I specialize in treatments that work."  My belief is that accurate diagnosis is the most important element in generating "treatments that work," and that the most common situation leading to "treatment-refractory illness" is inaccurate or overly simplistic diagnosis.