Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield Psychiatrists in Berkeley Heights, NJ

Hello! I am Dr. Ashley Anderson, DNP, APRN. I believe in person-centered care with evidence-based treatment approaches and I strongly feel that building a connection with patients is a vital aspect of providing care. I use evidence-based practices with a focus on person-centered care and optimal clinical outcomes targeting quality of life, maximizing wellness, and recovery. I take pride in supporting my patients through difficult mental health symptoms, and I bring a knowledgeable and compassionate perspective to patient care. I like when my patients ask questions, and I'm always happy to address their concerns!

Michelle is passionate about delivering care to individuals suffering from anxiety, substance use, and depression. Client motivation and dedication are key to utilizing the tools provided during our sessions including medication management, implementing lifestyle interventions, and therapy to help develop and implement a successful treatment plan. Relief of the client's suffering in dealing with their mental health issues and striving for an improvement in their quality of life is key to treatment.

My ideal patient is one with multiple psychiatric co-morbidities looking for a treatment to improve one’s mood, energy, anxiety, and focus. Do you feel sad daily, stopped socializing with friends & family members, perform the bare minimum work tasks, call out of work frequently, and are failing college classes due to not completing school assignments & attendance? Have you been using cannabis to cope with one’s current mood symptoms? Have you failed numerous medications due to side effects & effectiveness? I will help you develop a treatment plan to help you meet your mental health goals and feel content & yourself again.

As an ideal psychiatric mental health client, I present with moderate depression and generalized anxiety disorder. My primary needs include medication management for symptom relief and psychoeducation on coping strategies. My goals are to attain emotional stability, enhance daily functioning, and reduce distress. I seek an understanding of my conditions, effective pharmacological interventions, and therapeutic support to develop resilience. Motivated by a desire for improved quality of life, I aim to cultivate a balanced mental state, fostering a sense of control and well-being in navigating life's challenges.

I don't have an ideal client, except that they are open to change. I will see anyone who asks for help, but I expect they are or will be willing to change. I attempt to understand the patient as a whole, from birth to the present, from a medical, psychological, familial, and neurological perspective. I am focused on practical solutions and removing emotional blocks to making progress. I speak directly and am primarily concerned about the relationship with my patients. I am an avid advocate for my patients.

My ideal client is committed to accomplishing personal goals through a collaborative relationship built on trust, accountability, and communication. The ideal client is driven to explore the root cause of issues, recognize the work required to promote psychological well-being, and utilize available resources. Clients present with issues from past experiences and current stressors that impact their personal, professional, and social lives. My ideal client is willing to gain a broader understanding of these issues, desire personal growth, and develop effective coping skills that will manifest in an improved quality of life.

I am double board-certified in Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine. I believe in using both medication when indicated as well as therapy. I was trained in CBT and was given the Excellence in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy during my residency program. I use supportive therapy with each client I see. During my residency I served as Chief Resident and was awarded the Overall Excellence in Psychiatry Award as well as the Clinical Excellence Award.

I am Board Certified in Adult Psychiatry and have been practicing since 2005. I completed my residency from Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts and my Fellowship in Addictions from the Robert Johnson Wood Foundation. In 2014, I was featured in SJ Magazine as one of New Jersey’s top psychiatrists. I have experience working with adults as well as adolescents suffering from both psychiatric diagnosis and substance use disorders and have extensive experience working in both out-patient and in-patient settings.