Doors of Growth Counseling

I receive absolutely no incentives, monetary or otherwise, from any provider or service I recommend.  It is either providers I have personally used for myself or family and/or referred others to and they have shared about their positive experience. 

Counseling:​​

• Meg Clark Soriano & Her Team For Couples Counseling

          (856) 985-9091

          https://cfcemedford.com/about-us/therapists/meg-s/

• Clyde Boucher for Couples Counseling

         (609) 546-3907

​         https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/clyde-boucher-medford-nj/454010

 

Family Doctors (willing to engage in Collaborative Care):

• Dr. McAndrew Inspira Clarksboro.

      Truly cannot say enough wonderful things about this doctor and his team! Dr. McAndrew always goes above and                  beyond for his patients. 

• Dr. Rivell Cooper Health Turnersville.

      Another wonderful provider that goes above and beyond for her patients.

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Psychiatry:

• Clarity Care- Always willing to collaborate on patient care.  https://www.claritycarenj.com/
• Dr. Dara- https://www.drdarapsychiatry.com/
• CHOP- https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/center-management-adhd
• When I meet a prescriber that believes in minimal medication, safe prescribing practices and collaborative care I will add to list.  

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Reiki & Energy Healing:

• Carman & Cleo                                                                                                                                               healing4humanity@gmail.com                                                                                                                                  https://carmanandcleo.carrd.co/   

                                                                                           

• The Reiki Dream- Marissa Mongan                                                                                                                     https://www.thereikidream.com/

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PLEASE READ: Excellent Example of Safe Prescribing Guidelines:

http://www.dhs.pa.gov/cs/groups/webcontent/documents/document/c_222689.pdf

Other Helpful Articles:

https://www.aacap.org/App_Themes/AACAP/docs/clinical_practice_center/systems_of_care/AACAP_Psychotropic_Medication_Recommendations_2015_FINAL.pdf

https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2016/07/problem-polypharmacy-psychiatry.html

https://www.mdedge.com/psychiatry/article/105255/advisers-viewpoints-fighting-polypharmacy-psychiatry

https://www.mdedge.com/psychiatry/article/63655/medical-illness-causing-your-patients-depression

https://www.amymyersmd.com/2018/06/underlying-health-problems-causing-anxiety/

 

I also strongly suggest ruling out any underlying medical issues with your primary care doctor.  Discuss with your PCP the role of Vitamin D, Thyroid, (most especially a Thyroid Antibody), Inflammation (C-Reactive Protein), Hormones (Testosterone, Estradiol etc), B 12 and Vitamin C can play in psychiatric concerns.

I educate my clients about Benzodiazepines and the extreme caution necessary with this class of medication. 

It is important to remember that before the age of 23 the pre-frontal cortex is not fully developed.  Remember, benzodiazepines are for fast acting, short term use, NOT regular everyday use.  A bottle of 30 benzodiazepines should last a long time, not a week or a month.  They are for OCCASIONAL use!

Lastly, if several different medications in the same class of medication have been used to treat a diagnosis without success, it is typically the diagnosis that is wrong, rather than medication ineffectiveness.

A medication that I have observed to be highly effective for Depression, Cyclothymia, Bipolar, Borderline Personality Disorder, Intermittent Explosive Disorder and PTSD is Lamictal.  I like Lamictal as a first option, because it is an anti-epileptic, not a psychotropic. and has been around since 1994.

• For ADHD: Daytrana

• Lithium is another medication that I have observed to be highly effective.

For those struggling with chronic substance abuse and treatment that "does not work," I suggest getting to a good ADHD specialist and ruling this out.

I am not a medical doctor, nor claim to be.  My hope is to teach clients the importance of advocating for themselves AND being an informed consumer.