Psychiatrists in Washington, DC
![Photo of Ralph Gemelli, MD, Psychiatrist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/44cb1ca7-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/2/320x400.jpeg)
I am a child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist and psychoanalyst providing individual psychotherapy, play therapy, couples therapy, pharmacotherapy and psychoanalysis to patients for the following presenting symptoms: anxiety, depression, poor school performance, stuttering, lack of motivation, and finding oneself in relationships with people who are devaluating and/or abusive. My interpersonal focus is to help each patient become aware of what he or she consciously or unconsciously does that prevents the patient from developing developmentally enhancing relationships with significant others.
I am a child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist and psychoanalyst providing individual psychotherapy, play therapy, couples therapy, pharmacotherapy and psychoanalysis to patients for the following presenting symptoms: anxiety, depression, poor school performance, stuttering, lack of motivation, and finding oneself in relationships with people who are devaluating and/or abusive. My interpersonal focus is to help each patient become aware of what he or she consciously or unconsciously does that prevents the patient from developing developmentally enhancing relationships with significant others.
![Photo of R Curtis Bristol, MD, Psychiatrist](https://photos.psychologytoday.com/3c14f1e8-46cd-11ea-a6ad-06142c356176/1/320x400.jpeg)
My patients live and work in a global environment with complicated interpersonal problems compounded by economic, political, cultural and religious pressures. Through extensive education, experience and world travel I have built the capacity to provide a neutral, private and safe environment permitting the pursuit of solutions for acute mental health problems as well as longer term, intensive psychoanalytic treatment. I am a board certified psychiatrist with a medical degree from University of Southern California. As a psychoanalyst I completed the curriculum and treatment of cases through the Baltimore-Washington Institute for Psychoanalysis under the auspices of the American Psychoanalytic Association.
My patients live and work in a global environment with complicated interpersonal problems compounded by economic, political, cultural and religious pressures. Through extensive education, experience and world travel I have built the capacity to provide a neutral, private and safe environment permitting the pursuit of solutions for acute mental health problems as well as longer term, intensive psychoanalytic treatment. I am a board certified psychiatrist with a medical degree from University of Southern California. As a psychoanalyst I completed the curriculum and treatment of cases through the Baltimore-Washington Institute for Psychoanalysis under the auspices of the American Psychoanalytic Association.
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Relational Psychiatrists
How does relational therapy work?
Relational therapy was developed by psychologist Jean Miller, whose ideas stressed that having strong connections with others encourages better health and well-being when compared with a lonely existence. Conversely, poor interpersonal relationships do not foster growth and learning. Relational therapy also encourages trust in others and patience with others, along with better communication and less conflict.
Is relational therapy evidence-based?
Relational therapy is not well-studied, and it may not be as effective in treating certain mental health conditions when compared with evidence-based treatments like cognitive behavioral or acceptance and commitment therapy. However, relational therapy uses techniques found in cognitive behavioral therapy as well as psychodynamic therapy, which are both well-studied with empirical research.
How long are people typically in relational therapy?
Clients may see improvement after a few weeks or months of therapy. Like cognitive behavioral therapy, relational therapy can reduce symptoms within 10 to 20 weeks, at 45 to 50 minutes once a week. But like any type of therapy, improvement depends on the person and the severity of the problem.
Does relational therapy work?
While no therapy type will work for everyone, some evidence suggests that this therapy can be effective. Relational therapy can help a person manage problematic relationships as well as the mental health conditions that accompany difficult relationships like depression or anxiety. This therapy type may offer benefits that are hard to measure but can be just as valuable—including feelings of higher self-worth or healthier connections with others.