Integrative and Functional Psychiatry
Mental health and physical health have been artificially separated by traditional Western medicine. This thinking has led to biological treatments for mental health that are limited in effectiveness, full of side effects, and difficult to stop. I believe that mental health is evolving as research is pointing toward more connections between mind and body. Comprehensive mental health treatment should be integrated with nutrition, exercise, mindfulness meditation, and talk therapy, with less emphasis on pharmaceutical medications. While no treatment is inherently bad, a limited viewpoint does not serve the health of the whole person. As an experienced, board certified, mental health professional of over 10 years, I want to show you how to take the "middle path" to mental health in order to achieve lifechanging insights and lasting solutions!
The process
1. The workup
We will start with a specialty lab workup to examine general health, levels of key nutrients connected with mental health conditions and genetic differences if you desire. This lab work up is more extensive than what you may experience with a medical physician and is usually only done with functional medicine specialists. If there are underlying health conditions present, I will provide guidance for you to seek appropriate care. If nutritional deficiencies are present such as iron, magnesium, vitamin D, B-vitamins, micronutrients, and gut health abnormalities we will correct them. If you so choose, we can discuss evidenced-based, pharmaceutical-quality nutraceuticals depending on your individual situation.
2. Lifestyle and diet
We will discuss ways to incorporate a healthy diet designed for mental health using common sense solutions to fit your situation. We will also discuss your work-life balance, stress levels, and personal values in order to determine ways to enhance your quality of life. We will also discuss the importance of mindfulness meditation as a healthy lifestyle practice. Lastly, we will discuss your exercise habits and how it relates to your mental health.
3. Psychiatric Medications
If nutritional and lifestyle interventions are ineffective or undesirable to you, we can discuss psychotropic medications (i.e, antidepressants, sleep-aids, mood stabilizers). As a psychiatric nurse practitioner I have seen thoughtfully prescribed psychotropic medications in combination with psychotherapy produce overwhelmingly positive changes for people struggling with mental health issues. I believe that medications in the right situation can be life-saving treatments. However, they can also have very real downsides. We will determine the right "middle path" for you as a team, and you will always have control over what you do or do not put in your body.
Is Middlepath right for me?
In order to determine if your needs are a fit for the middlepath method, I will speak with you on the phone for a free 15 minute consultation. If I don't feel confident that I can help you at Middlepath, I will help you with ideas for more appropriate care.
*Note: I do not prescribe any controlled substances as a part of Middlepath Integrative and Functional Psychiatry.
**The use of nutritional supplements is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease. The FDA enforces its position that these words can only be used with drugs. However, mental health conditions are considered disorders, not diseases. Nutritional supplements can manage nutritional deficiency, diet and lifestyle. Under FDA guidelines nutritional deficiency management cannot be said to treat, cure, mitigate or prevent disease.
Sarah is "in-network" with United, Aetna, Cigna, and Oscar through the Alma administrative platform and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois through the Headway administrative platform. Click on the links below to find out if your specific insurance plan is eligible and book your free 15 minute consultation.
Please use these administrative platforms if you are covered by one of the insurance plans listed above and wish to use your benefits to pay for services. Sarah is "out of network" for all other insurance plans. Please contact Sarah directly if you wish to self-pay for services or wish to use your "out of network" insurance benefits.
Telehealth Hours
Tuesday 10am - 5pm CST
Friday 10am - 6pm CST
Send Correspondence to:
Middlepath Integrative and Functional Psychiatry
4000 W. Montrose Ave. #618
Chicago, Il 60641
Phone:
773-257-3435
Email:
sarah.ritter@middlepathifp.com