Recommended doctors, therapists, and clinics

[jfrank17]

I'm not sure of the protocol of adding a doctor here (if they need to be contacted and agree to it, etc.?) I would nominate my psychiatrist, Dr. Elizabeth McMasters, from McHenry Community Health Center, McHenry, IL. She has been very sympathetic, and seems to recognize my descriptions as withdrawal syndrome, not relapse. She has been supportive and willing to taper slowly and carefully, and has shown interest when I share things I have learned about withdrawal syndrome. She has never once tried to suggest I need to stay on medication for life, and seems conservative about prescribing. I'm not sure if she would consider herself a withdrawal expert but she does seem more knowledgeable than anyone else I have run into.

 

[below added by admin]

 

Dr. Elizabeth McMasters

Pioneer Center for Human Services

Main: 815.344.1230

Fax: 815.344.3815

Admissions: 815.759.7204

GetHelp@pioneercenter.org

 

Liberty Square

3901 Mercy Dr

McHenry, IL 60050

815-363-9900

 

4100 Veterans Pkwy

Mchenry, IL 60050

(815) 385-6400

 

YouTube https://youtu.be/AxoFsY4jxDs

 

and an article that mentions her http://www.nwherald.com/mobile/article.xml/articles/2012/06/25/r_4mg0x17_q5szh54sfrzsuw/index.xml

Edited May 13, 2015 by Altostrata
updated

[Altostrata]

Thank you, jfrank. I'll contact her if I can and add her to our list.

[Altostrata]

Dr. Terry Lynch

 

http://www.doctorterrylynch.com/

Terry Lynch is a fully registered medical doctor, psychotherapist and author. He worked as a GP for over ten years. He then specialised in mental health, completing an MA in Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy at the University of Limerick in 2002. He has worked full-time in mental health for the past ten years, providing a recovery-oriented mental health service in Limerick, Ireland.

ANEW Psychotherapy Centre

Unit 50, Tait Business Centre

Dominic Street, Limerick, Ireland

 

Phone: 353-61-319747

[Altostrata]

Thanks for the reminder about Dr. Garodia, Rhi. I'll add her to our list.

Her bio is here http://qcinstitute.org/garodia.html

Contact info from http://www.medfordmd.com/index.php?/MMC/Our_Providers/prachi-garodia-md:
Dr. Prachi Garodia
Medford Medical Clinic

555 Black Oak Drive
Suite 100
Medford, OR 97504
Phone (541) 734-3430
Fax (541) 734-3638

Please let me know if you get any recommendations from Will Hall.

Edited September 6, 2014 by Altostrata
updated contact information

[Altostrata]

Libby (Elizabeth) Stuyt, MD

Medical Director

Circle Program

Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo

1600 W. 24th Street

Pueblo, Colorado 81003

719 546-4494

 

From our correspondence:

Thanks for writing and making me aware of your web sites. I like what I have seen and think they are great resources. Yes, I gradually taper patients off of psychiatric medications in our program - when they request to get off of medication and when I can convince others to try reduction of their medications. I have seen significant withdrawal symptoms in some people - especially certain SSRIs. I like that you warn people about stopping these medications abruptly. I don't know if you are aware of the company TrueHope ... ? They promote high dose minerals and vitamins for help with psychiatric symptoms. I mention them mainly because they have developed specific protocols to help people coming off psych medications if they get on their vitamin and mineral supplements....the supplements can worsen the withdrawal symptoms from psychiatric medications significantly. This probably happens with other supplements as well and people need to realize this.

[Barbarannamated]

Just clarifying... Dr. Stuyt is cautioning against this and similar regimens..?

[Altostrata]

Yes, I think there was a mistyping in there that muddied the meaning. Dr. Stuyt is cautioning against those supplements.

[Altostrata]

Our colleagues at PatientsRights.org.nz recommend this psychiatrist and psychologist offering natural choices

Tony Coates MD

http://www.tonycoates.co.nz/profile.html

Auckland

(09) 376 4249

[Altostrata]

MindFreedom Ireland recommends Dr. Terry Lynch in Limerick and

 

Dr Ivor Browne

Institute of Psychosocial Medicine Practitioners

http://ipmed.org/practitioners.html

2 Eden Park, Summerhill Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland

+353-1-280-0084

[fj929]

Harold R. Jordan, M.D.
53 Center St
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 586-5555 (Office)

1233 Main St
Holyoke, MA 01040
(413) 536-5111 (Office)

Dr Jordan is a believer in long term withdrawal from SSRI's. He's a nice guy who is easy to talk to.

 

ADMIN NOTE 04/1719

 

On 1/31/2019 at 2:00 PM, Rezten said:

Here is his current information. I have not spoken with him at this point in time, but am considering giving him a call

 

http://doctorjordan.org

 

 

Edited April 17, 2019 by Altostrata
added note

[Altostrata]

Thank you, Hawk!

 

Christina Lasich, MD

900 East Main Street Suite 200

Grass Valley, CA 95945

(530) 273-8480

 

http://www.healingwomeninpain.com/

 

A chronic pain management, Dr. Lasich observed her patients having difficulties in going off antidepressants, specifically, Cymbalta, prescribed for pain. She wrote this article http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/27148/146506/comments

 

She is committed to careful tapering.

 

I am very proud to say our list of doctors is growing!

Edited August 21, 2014 by Altostrata
updated

[lexhex]

Here's a link that may help too:

 

Its from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. They have a searchable database and multiple subspecialties that fit many of our needs.

 

https://application.abpn.com/verifycert/verifyCert.asp?a=4&u=1

[Altostrata]

Thanks, lexhex. Problem is, very few of those docs will understand anything at all about tapering or withdrawal syndrome.

 

If you find any, please let us know.

[Iggy131313]

Add David Healy t this list Alto, in the UK.

 

Also I am going to ask him to recommend to me anyone local in england who understands this so I hope to have more names

[Altostrata]

Excellent idea, Iggy. Please find out how one might make an appointment with Dr. Healy.

[Altostrata]

A member recommends Dr. Gaertner. He recognized her withdrawal syndrome.

Dr. William Ronald Gaertner
http://williamrgaertner.md.com/
Insight Physicians PC
5855 Bremo Rd Ste 210
Richmond, VA 23226
(804) 282-0655

1701 Fall Hill Ave Ste 101
Fredericksburg, VA 22401-3570
(540) 735-9897

4906 Radford Ave
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 354-1996

Specialties:
Psychiatry
Addiction Medicine
Addiction Psychiatry

 

Edited March 24, 2014 by Altostrata
updated

[Altostrata]

Duncan Double of the UK's Critical Psychiatry Network has agreed to be on our list.

 

He writes a blog at http://criticalpsychiatry.blogspot.com/

 

Dr. Double only does NHS work; a GP referral is required. He is Consultant Psychiatrist, Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust and Honorary Senior Lecturer, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia

 

Duncan Double, MD

http://www.dbdouble.freeuk.com/homepage.htm

Victoria House, 28 Alexandra Rd, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 1PL, UK

 

Anglia Mental Health

http://www.psychiatry.freeuk.com/angliamentalhealth.htm

26 Christchurch Road

Norwich NR2 2AE

[Altostrata]

Recommended by a Facebook friend https://www.facebook.com/altostrata/posts/497064933679738?comment_id=5164356

 

Mark Lichtenstein, MD

http://www.nchcvt.org/hhcproviders.html

Hardwick Health Center

4 Slapp Hill Rd

Hardwick, VT 05843

Ph. 802-472-3300, Fax 472-8277

1-800-339-0740

[Altostrata]

Recommended by a Facebook friend https://www.facebook.com/groups/benzobook/permalink/157141504438274/ who says they are a functional medicine (integrative medicine) group and follow the Ashton Manual for benzo tapering.

 

Visions Medical

http://www.visionshealthcare.com/

170 Worcester St. (Route 9), Wellesley, MA 02481

781.232.5400

 

910 Washington St., Dedham, MA 02026

781.232.5500

[Altostrata]

Dr. Rob Purssey contacted me to be put on our list after a post I made on MadinAmerica.com.

Dr Robert Purssey MBBS FRANZCP
http://mindfulpsychiatry.com.au/resources/

Dr Robert Purssey
MBBS FRANZCP
Psychiatrist and ACT Therapist
Director - Brisbane ACT Centre
7 Marie Street, Milton Q 4064
http://www.brisbaneactcentre.com.au
http://mindfulpsychiatry.com.au/
e-mail rob at brisbaneactcentre/com/au
P: 07 3193 1072
F: 07 3193 1073
M: 07 3309 2268

I got an e-mail from Dr. Purssey 22 March 2013:
 

I have commenced a group ACT practice here in Brisbane and wish to get more messages out offering my help in withdrawing here in Brisbane or indeed throughout Australia as I can do sessions via Skype anywhere and be rebated by our health system - Medicare.

 
Dr. Purssey will counsel anyone in Australia. He will expect you to engage in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) -- also see 

Dr. Rob Purssey's tips about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Dr. Purssey's services will be PARTLY compensated by the national health system.

Edited June 29, 2014 by Altostrata
updated

[Altostrata]

Recommended by a Facebook correspondent:

 

Ernest Shaw, MD

Psychiatry

291 Wall St

Kingston, NY 12401

(845) 331-1155 (Office)

(845) 339-6731 (Fax)

[Altostrata]

ADMIN UPDATE Please see these and other comments about Dr. Brogan in this topic.

On 5/21/2017 at 5:05 PM, Squeakykin said:

Hello,

 

I was a patient of Dr. Kelly Brogan in New York City for over 3 years. She claimed that we had a partnership in our doctor / patient relationship. Although she agreed to writing the prescriptions to reduce my med at the amounts that I asked for, she eventually became extremely dogmatic about her treatment protocols and began treating all of her patients, her entire practice, with the same treatments regardless of the individual cases and issues the patient was having.

 

This came to a head when I started consulting with other professionals over these irresponsible protocols, one explicitly being daily coffee enemas. She accused me of not trusting her. Since I verbally told her that I do not wish to do this protocol, she told me that she could no longer be my doctor unless I performed this protocol.

 

She also currently insists that her patients eat a Paleo diet and not to deviate from that. Because I asserted my needs and conveyed to her my sensitivities to most, if not all of her recommendations; that she was doing more harm than good, she ended our relationship. She also claimed that she could not guarantee results for her patients unless they did her strict protocol. She stated that she was "afraid that she would lose her medical license if by chance a patient had the bad fortune to be hospitalized by not adhering to her protocol".

 

She told me that she has fired many of her patients who leave her office crying because they did not adhere to her strict protocol.

 

On 5/21/2017 at 5:17 PM, Kay said:

squeakykin thanks for posting this. That is too bad, to hear Dr. Brogan was too hard on you, but I am not completely surprised. Like many high achievers, it sounds to me that she is pushing too hard, with her patients as she has with herself. She has helped a lot for people dealing with this type of illness, getting off antidepressants, but it sounds like she is too driven herself and so then with her patients also.

 

On 5/21/2017 at 7:48 PM, Squeakykin said:

Yes, she has formulated a set system which was primarily based on her deceased mentor, Dr. Nicholas Gonzales' theories. Yet he was a cancer specialist, whereas Brogan is dealing with mental illness and psychiatric drug withdrawal. She seems to have extrapolated part of his protocol to her practice and made it dogma. Yet if you look at Gonzales' youtube videos about diet, he advocated several different diets depending on the person's body type and other factors. There was a great variation in his treatment for his patients. Whereas Brogan has a treatment protocol that is strictly limited and it is applied across the board to all of her patients.

 

Frankly, I think she has bitten off more than she can chew in her drive for success for herself and her patients. Since there is a very long waitlist for her services now, she feels that she can pick and choose who she wants to help, and by doing this very easy strict protocol she has not taken on any challenges of anyone differing from the prototype.

 

Most of her patients come to her from very wealthy backgrounds who have become depressed by having eaten a lousy diet most of their lives. A simple change in diet off processed foods seems to be all that they really need. Then the coffee enema is applied to detox the antidepressant very quickly, and they are off their drug in no time.

 

A healthy eating coach could do this same protocol. The only advantage of Brogan's approach is that she is a MD and can write the prescriptions for the taper. I think it is a real crime that her fees are so exorbitant. Her approach is mostly on autopilot once one changes her diet, starts the taper, and does the enemas. The rest is smooth sailing for Brogan.

 

On 5/22/2017 at 3:19 PM, Kay said:

I'm sorry Squeakykin you had to go through all that.

 

Does that work, tapering faster with coffee enemas? Gross to consider but I'm curious. I've just started my second year of tapering off Effexor XR (Venlafaxine) and anticipate it taking about five years. 

 

On 5/22/2017 at 3:35 PM, Squeakykin said:

Hi Kay,

 

I am only repeating what Dr. Brogan told me, saying that many of her patients got off the drugs in months rather than years. She stands behind her claim that coffee enemas are safe. But I consulted with several respected alt. health professionals who all warned me of its many dangers. I think it would be dangerous for anyone in a weakened state or for one who is older to do these enemas. I have 6 more years to go with my taper and although it is very tempting to think that by doing the enema the taper process could be cut to a fraction of the time, there are other factors at play here as well. Being that I have been on psych drugs for 34 years, it is recommended that a slow taper is safer giving the body/mind/spirit much needed time to adjust to the myriad changes it undergoes in healing. I believe long term healing takes time and a quick fix is dangerous.

 

On 5/22/2017 at 5:10 PM, Kay said:

OK thanks a bunch for that info Squeakykin. My feeling was that it was best to stay the course I'm on. I've taken the med for about 13 years myself. It is difficult!

 

 

From MadinAmerica.com http://www.madinamerica.com/author/kbrogan/

 

Kelly Brogan, MD

Integrative and holistic psychiatrist specializing in women's mental health

http://www.kellybroganmd.com/

 

280 Madison Ave Suite 702

New York, NY 10016

 

276 5th Ave

New York, NY 10001

(646) 706-7771 (Office)

(646) 706-7771 (Fax)

Edited April 17, 2019 by Altostrata
Added admin note

[Altostrata]

Dr. Tsafrir has an interesting blog at http://www.judytsafrirmd.com/

 

Judy Tsafrir, M.D.

Boston Holistic Psychiatrist

http://www.judytsafrirmd.com/

120 Sumner Street

Newton Centre, MA

02459

Tel: 617-965-3020

 

Dr. Tsafrir writes:

....Your website makes a real public health contribution.

 

I am no expert in drug tapering, but am willing to learn more. I have had one patient who has successfully almost tapered off of Paxil by switching to a liquid preparation and by decreasing by very tiny increments.

 

I could imagine that dietary support could make a difference for some people, as their diet is aggravating their condition or even in some cases causing it.

 

I would be glad to try and be helpful to patients locally who would like to try and taper from medications. I rarely just function as a psychopharmacologist to most of my patients. Most see me for a combination of psychotherapy and nutritional and life style approaches to treating their condition. I am also not affiliated with insurance companies. My patients are all self-pay, though I am willing to provide paper work that allows patients to sometimes get reimbursed for a portion of my fee.

 

Thanks again for contacting me, and for the important work that you do.

[Altostrata]

You may want to read her posts on MadinAmerica.com.

[cmusic]

I just wanted to post here. I went and saw a doc at a holistic medial center around here. It's called Visions Medical Center. It's listed on this site as one of the friendly docs. And I'm sure they are helpful for withdrawing from Benzos, but the doctor I saw didn't have a clue about what was happening to me.

 

I have been there in the past and have gotten tests done, etc. I recall now why I stopped going. Basically the outcome was - you have to change your diet and take these 10 expensive supplements. I was offered a 'plan' to take 5-HTP (which puts my anxiety through the roof), several proprietary blends of taurine, magnesium, etc., and some stuff that I realized after I bought it was Phenibut. Phenibut - he looked me right in the eye and said - it's not habit forming, we're dealing with the precursors to GABA, etc. But then I read you can get hooked on it. How is that any better than benzos?

 

The guy basically went down the same old playbook - telling me I have food 'allergies' and other conditions putting stress on the body. He actually tried to tell me that he doesn't think the crisis I'm feeling right now is necessarily the withdrawal from antidepressants, but rather my diet and other factors that are stressing me. Doing a little more research, I realized that the IgG tests they use for food 'allergies' are not even proven to indicate allergies. And when I asked why I don't have allergic reactions to these foods, I was told they are delayed reactions. So I should go dairy free and gluten free when I tried to explain that I'm barely even eating enough to stay alive. I'm not saying that I couldn't benefit from improving my diet, but to claim that this is the reason I'm feeling unnatural levels of anxiety, and not the fact that I pulled the plug on a psych drug after a decade? And to think a person in my state could make these kinds of major changes right now? Really?

 

They also had measured my cortisol levels and other hormones in the past and found these to be significantly low. This I do believe. But I see this as a result of being in so much emotional stress from (at the time of the test) thrashing around on antidepressants and taking benzos. Of course with this level of stress my adrenals and everything else that try to combat it are burning out. I know my adrenals need to heal along with the rest of my body. But there isn't much I can do about it until my system calms down.

 

And last, they had tested me for the MTHFR mutation (which I have in both genes), but that was at my request last year. So more expensive supplements (methylfolate and methyl B12). I've taken these in the past and didn't see any improvements to anything. Maybe it would help if I WASN'T IN ACUTE WITHDRAWAL FROM SSRI's!

 

Even though these things could help me (and in the long term probably will), I could not believe he would rattle off this same old crap after I just told him about my situation. I was shocked. I went there because I couldn't get any help from mainstream medicine or psychiatry, hoping for some understanding and perhaps an open mind. But all I got was this?

 

Bottom line is that it's really the same thing as mainstream medicine, seeing every situation as a nail just because you have a hammer. Only with these guys it's just a different type of hammer.

 

Anyway, just saw this thread so thought I'd share my experience.

[compsports]

Cmusic,

 

I am so sorry for your experiences and this is good feedback for alto so she can't adjust the list accordingly.

 

What you are reporting sounds somewhat similar to my experience with an alternative doctor a few years ago. I went there against my better judgment and unfortunately, my worst fears came to light as they wanted order tests that I knew were a bunch of BS.

 

Some people get so angry if you criticize alternative folks but your example is a perfect reason why you have to be so cautious.

 

CS

 

I just wanted to post here. I went and saw a doc at a holistic medial center around here. It's called Visions Medical Center. It's listed on this site as one of the friendly docs. And I'm sure they are helpful for withdrawing from Benzos, but the doctor I saw didn't have a clue about what was happening to me.

 

I have been there in the past and have gotten tests done, etc. I recall now why I stopped going. Basically the outcome was - you have to change your diet and take these 10 expensive supplements. I was offered a 'plan' to take 5-HTP (which puts my anxiety through the roof), several proprietary blends of taurine, magnesium, etc., and some stuff that I realized after I bought it was Phenibut. Phenibut - he looked me right in the eye and said - it's not habit forming, we're dealing with the precursors to GABA, etc. But then I read you can get hooked on it. How is that any better than benzos?

 

The guy basically went down the same old playbook - telling me I have food 'allergies' and other conditions putting stress on the body. He actually tried to tell me that he doesn't think the crisis I'm feeling right now is necessarily the withdrawal from antidepressants, but rather my diet and other factors that are stressing me. Doing a little more research, I realized that the IgG tests they use for food 'allergies' are not even proven to indicate allergies. And when I asked why I don't have allergic reactions to these foods, I was told they are delayed reactions. So I should go dairy free and gluten free when I tried to explain that I'm barely even eating enough to stay alive. I'm not saying that I couldn't benefit from improving my diet, but to claim that this is the reason I'm feeling unnatural levels of anxiety, and not the fact that I pulled the plug on a psych drug after a decade? And to think a person in my state could make these kinds of major changes right now? Really?

 

They also had measured my cortisol levels and other hormones in the past and found these to be significantly low. This I do believe. But I see this as a result of being in so much emotional stress from (at the time of the test) thrashing around on antidepressants and taking benzos. Of course with this level of stress my adrenals and everything else that try to combat it are burning out. I know my adrenals need to heal along with the rest of my body. But there isn't much I can do about it until my system calms down.

 

And last, they had tested me for the MTHFR mutation (which I have in both genes), but that was at my request last year. So more expensive supplements (methylfolate and methyl B12). I've taken these in the past and didn't see any improvements to anything. Maybe it would help if I WASN'T IN ACUTE WITHDRAWAL FROM SSRI's!

 

Even though these things could help me (and in the long term probably will), I could not believe he would rattle off this same old crap after I just told him about my situation. I was shocked. I went there because I couldn't get any help from mainstream medicine or psychiatry, hoping for some understanding and perhaps an open mind. But all I got was this?

 

Bottom line is that it's really the same thing as mainstream medicine, seeing every situation as a nail just because you have a hammer. Only with these guys it's just a different type of hammer.

 

Anyway, just saw this thread so thought I'd share my experience.

 

[Francis]

I have read them and have also seen your responses! I read them, thinking you have some reservations. Thats why i was wondering whether anyone has first had experience with her, esp since i need withdrawal addressed and not "simply" the determination of how to address anxiety/insomnia! (Although gentle long term care would be welcome as well.)

[Altostrata]

I would try Dr. Brogan if I were near her.

[Francis]

Thank you. I may not know you, but vote of confidence means a lot.

I will update with my experience. (And I'll not hope for miracles and be unfair to her.)

[Altostrata]

Sorry about Visions. Is there anyone there who knows about tapering off drugs other than benzos?

 

Maybe I should take them off our list.

[cmusic]

I'm not sure because I've only seen a few of the doctors. But they seem to have a standard play book regardless of your situation - food, allergies, adrenals, etc. and again, while all this stuff might help, my commentary was on the lack of acknowledgement of the powerful effects that getting off these drugs can cause. I'm not sure about tapering help because I didn't slowly taper (which I regret). My feel though is that they wouldn't know a lot about it beyond the benzos.

 

They do have an integrative psychiatrist - I have an appointment but not for a few months so can't comment on that yet.

[Altostrata]

George P. Dawson, MD

 

http://www.blogger.com/profile/03474899831557543486

 

15251 Pleasant Valley Rd Suite CO7

Center City, MN 55012

(651) 213-4184 (Office)

(651) 213-4515 (Fax)

 

640 Jackson St

Saint Paul, MN 55101

(651) 254-4786 (Office)

(651) 228-8362 (Fax)

 

Dr. Dawson works in an addiction medicine clinic and can see only patients in the clinic. If you are not a patient in the clinic, contact Dr. Dawson only for referral to another doctor in the area who knows about tapering.

Edited May 14, 2013 by Altostrata
updated

[Altostrata]

David D. Harwood M.D.

http://www.mpa1040.com/david-d-harwood-m-d/

 

Montgomery Psychiatry and Associates

1040 Longfield Ct

Montgomery, AL 36117

(334) 288-9009

[Iggy131313]

New UK Clinic by colleague

 

Dr Bob Johnson,  Consultant  Psychiatrist -- EMOTION CLINIC. Appointments & info -clinic@DrBobJohnson.org. Rivington House, 82 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3JF. 07976 228 444 for messages

Edited February 15, 2014 by Altostrata
fixed text

[Iggy131313]

also I know its said that its hard to see Dr Healy, but it really isnt, after me 4 people I spoke to and explained how to see him have also seen him with no problem and they live all over england, you can only see him through the NHS and if you insist to your GP and say patient choice then you can see him....Dr Haddad is a no no unless you live in Hope (hope is a place in manchester, of course we all live in hope lol)

[Altostrata]

Thanks for that information, Iggy. Dr. Healy should be on our list.
 
Dr. David Healy
http://www.nwcs.ac.uk/profiles/dh.php.en
http://davidhealy.org/
 
North Wales
Hergest Unit Ysbyty Gwynedd Tel:  01248 384883

Dr Healy Tel: 01492860926

 

Dr. Healy is one of the few physicians in the world who recognize post-discontinuation syndrome from psychiatric drugs. He also founded Rxisk.org to track iatrogenic damage from pharmaceuticals.

Edited April 20, 2014 by Altostrata
updated