Chronic Illness Psychiatrists in 90212
Are you struggling to balance your physical and mental health? Are things becoming unmanageable? Is your time limited? Then welcome to WellPsyche! WellPsyche Medical Group provides experts in the field of Adult and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry. Our practice offers the latest in psychiatry including Telemedicine! Now you can visit with your psychiatrist from the privacy and convenience of your home or work. Our providers take a Conservative and Effective approach to medication management and can help you balance your life.
Are you struggling to balance your physical and mental health? Are things becoming unmanageable? Is your time limited? Then welcome to WellPsyche! WellPsyche Medical Group provides experts in the field of Adult and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry. Our practice offers the latest in psychiatry including Telemedicine! Now you can visit with your psychiatrist from the privacy and convenience of your home or work. Our providers take a Conservative and Effective approach to medication management and can help you balance your life.
Deidra Howard
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, MBA MSN, PMHNP-C, FNP-C
Verified Verified
Beverly Hills, CA 90212 (Online Only)
I am a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and a family nurse practitioner with over 25 years in nursing with experience working in a variety of settings including emergency psychiatry, inpatient, acute care psychiatric, rehabilitation, and residential treatment facilities.
I am a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and a family nurse practitioner with over 25 years in nursing with experience working in a variety of settings including emergency psychiatry, inpatient, acute care psychiatric, rehabilitation, and residential treatment facilities.
My approach is based on integrative psychiatry, which uses medications, therapy and complementary medicine to treat the whole person, not just the symptoms. I address the combined impact of sleep, lifestyle, relationships, nutrition and chronic medical conditions on well-being, and use cutting edge tools like genetic testing to guide personalized treatment with medication and supplements. I consider the patient’s cultural background in my assessments and I can provide treatment in Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian. My goal is to help my patients create lasting changes and build vitality, resilience and purpose in life.
My approach is based on integrative psychiatry, which uses medications, therapy and complementary medicine to treat the whole person, not just the symptoms. I address the combined impact of sleep, lifestyle, relationships, nutrition and chronic medical conditions on well-being, and use cutting edge tools like genetic testing to guide personalized treatment with medication and supplements. I consider the patient’s cultural background in my assessments and I can provide treatment in Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian. My goal is to help my patients create lasting changes and build vitality, resilience and purpose in life.
Accepting patients for both in-person and online appointments. I’m a UC Irvine, Harbor UCLA trained psychiatrist based in Pasadena, California. I treat a broad range of disorders and specialize in adult psychiatric conditions, including anxiety, depression, bipolar, ADHD, schizophrenia, and thought disorders. In my career, I’ve been fortunate to meet and work with people from all walks of life. I draw upon my diverse experiences and background in medicine, mental health, scientific research, and business administration to give my patients what they need—whether that be medication, therapy, or guidance.
Accepting patients for both in-person and online appointments. I’m a UC Irvine, Harbor UCLA trained psychiatrist based in Pasadena, California. I treat a broad range of disorders and specialize in adult psychiatric conditions, including anxiety, depression, bipolar, ADHD, schizophrenia, and thought disorders. In my career, I’ve been fortunate to meet and work with people from all walks of life. I draw upon my diverse experiences and background in medicine, mental health, scientific research, and business administration to give my patients what they need—whether that be medication, therapy, or guidance.
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Chronic Illness Psychiatrists
How does therapy for chronic illness work?
Many people living with a chronic illness may feel they cannot speak honestly about their experience out of embarrassment or fear of being a burden, or because those close to them do not understand, for example, that they may “look good” even if they do not feel good. Therapy sessions are an opportunity to speak openly with someone who knows their symptoms are not in their head and who can offer practical, proven suggestions for managing feelings of grief, shame, or fatigue, such as techniques to challenge unhelpful thoughts about symptoms and develop new ways to respond to them, such as distraction or calming breathing practices.
Can therapy help with physical symptoms of chronic illness?
Yes, especially if an individual with chronic illness has developed depression. People with depression are less likely to maintain their health treatment regimens or to take positive steps to manage physical symptoms when they arise, thereby potentially complicating their medical prognosis. Treatment of depression, through talk therapy, medication, or both, will often improve one’s physical state as it eases the emotional burden of illness.
What are the most effective treatment options for chronic illness?
No one living with a chronic illness, or their loved ones, should see depression as an unavoidable result of their condition. Instead, they should actively seek treatment. Research shows that people with depression are less likely to devote the required time and effort to maintaining or monitoring their health, and so therapy to limit the risk of depression can be vital for physical health as well. Therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction have been found to help individuals reduce stress and anxiety.
How long does therapy for chronic illness take?
There is no set timeline for therapy for people living with chronic illnesses, but many will see a therapist for a number of weeks or months, typically spanning at least 12 weekly sessions. Some people feel that they experience progress faster than others but even some who quickly feel improvement may continue with sessions for months or years. Some people may benefit from maintenance therapy if their symptoms change or they experience a decline in physical health. Others find that the skills learned in short-term therapy can be used on an ongoing basis, even after therapy has concluded.