Meet Dr. Eric B. Cohen
I am a Connecticut-based child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist with over thirty years of experience in the assessment and treatment of mental health conditions. I am trained in the use of conventional psychiatry, and am well versed in the use of psychotropic medications. However, traditional psychiatry has often placed too much focus on the treatment of symptoms without sufficient exploration of underlying root causes. There are concerns about inadequate treatment response to conventional psychiatric medications, side effects, and an insufficiently comprehensive approach to treating the whole person. In recent years, there has been increased appreciation of the brain-body connection, and there is strong evidence regarding the interactions between mental health and underlying inflammation, nutritional deficits, lifestyle choices, stress, gut imbalances, and exposure to toxins.
Due to frustration with the limits of conventional psychiatry, I sought additional training in Integrative Psychiatry, which strives to treat the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – and puts the patient, not just the illness, at the center. We use a strength-based approach that seeks to empower people to build a foundation that promotes deeper and more sustainable healing. We will evaluate and treat your most challenging presenting symptoms. Medications traditionally used in psychiatry may play an important role in acute symptom relief, and my be used longer term if clinically necessary. Possible root causes that might contribute to symptoms are investigated, and additional recommendations are made in the pursuit of long term wellness.
Why Integrative Psychiatry?
Physiological, genetic, psychological, environmental, and social factors may present obstacles to mental health. Quality sleep, healthy nutrition, regular exercise, and successful stress management are key components to physical and mental well-being. I communicate with primary care providers, naturopaths, acupuncturists, nutritionists, psychotherapists, educational therapists, occupational therapists, and other providers as a team effort to promote greater health. A treatment plan is developed as a collaborative effort, respecting the individual’s and family’s beliefs regarding approaches to achieving greater health.
All factors that influence health, wellness, and disease are taken into consideration and care is individualized to best address the person's unique conditions, needs, and circumstances.
The patient and practitioner are partners in the healing process. Effective interventions that are natural and less invasive are used whenever possible.
Because good medicine is based in good science, integrative psychiatry is inquiry-driven and care addresses the whole person in the context of community.
Testimonials
Services
New patients can set up a 15-minute telephone consultation by filling out our contact form.
Free 15-minute consultation via phone to determine whether to move forward with an initial appointment and possible ongoing treatment.
Initial psychiatric evaluation [child or adolescent]*:
The complexity of the case will determine whether or not an initial evaluation will consist of a 60-minute appointment with guardian(s) plus a 60-minute visit with the child and family, including feedback with guardian(s); or a combined 75-minute appointment. The initial evaluation will include review of forms and rating scales completed in advance; detailed medical, educational, nutritional, psychiatric, and lifestyle history (e.g., sleep, exercise, relationships, meditation). Baseline laboratory studies may be ordered to help identify root causes (e.g., urine, blood, or other testing to asses status of nutritional health, gastrointestinal status, exposure to toxins, etc.). If you have already had tests done, you may choose to bring a copy with you. Specific tests are determined on a case-by-case basis.
Initial psychiatric evaluation [adult]*: 60-minute appointment includes patient interview(s); review of forms and rating scales completed in advance; detailed medical, educational, nutritional, psychiatric, and lifestyle history (e.g., sleep, exercise, relationships, meditation). Baseline laboratory studies may be ordered to help identify root causes (e.g., urine, blood, or other testing to assess status of nutritional health, gastrointestinal status, exposure to toxins, etc.). If you have already had tests done, you may choose to bring a copy with you. Specific tests are determined on a case-by-case basis. The initial evaluation may take 1-2 visits. If needed, a second assessment visit would be 60 minutes.
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45- to 60-minute follow-up visit after an initial evaluation: Review laboratory studies and other assessments, and development or review of an individualized treatment plan.
30- to 45-minute regular follow-ups: Review progress and response to interventions (e.g., medications, supplements, lifestyle interventions, coordination with other providers). Length of visit is dependent on the clinical need.
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*There may an additional fee to review extensive medical and/or psychiatric records.
Your Wellness Journey Starts Here
New Patient Inquiry Form
Contact Info
Phone
Address
860 - 714 - 9785
10 North Main Street, Suite 315, West Hartford, CT 06107