Dr. Fisher provides behavioral medicine services for medical patients, who are often referred by their primary care physician, with challenging or complex medical conditions with suspected co-morbid psychological factors that precipitate or perpetuate the primary medical condition. Research into the biopsychosocial model of illness has shown that psychological factors play an important role and can significantly impact treatment success of medical illnesses. Moreover, research suggests that combined psychotropic medication plus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is sometimes the most effective treatment for challenging mental illnesses, such as treatment refractory major depressive disorder.

Dr. Fisher provides behavioral medicine services that include assessment (psychological, quantitative electroencephalography [QEEG], and psychophysiological), individual and group therapy (psychotherapy), and psychophysiological treatments, such neurofeedback and peripheral biofeedback.

Below are some common reasons that physicians refer their patients for behavioral medicine support:

• Psychological assessment to determine the impact of psychological factors on medical illness as well as to help guide patient treatment
• Patient lifestyle modification (obesity, diabetes, etc.)
• Smoking cessation (nicotine and tobacco dependence)
• Improve patient adherence to physician treatment guidelines (e.g., medication, nutrition, etc.)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for psychological conditions that can impact physical recovery, such as depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, chronic pain, health anxiety, and panic attacks
• Adjunctive psychological therapy for treatment refractory mental health conditions that fail to respond or only partly respond to front-line pharmacotherapy
• Psychological evaluation for bariatric surgery (lap-band, etc)

Dr. Fisher works closely with the referring physician to help the physician and patient achieve treatment goals. In addition, Dr. Fisher provides the referring physician brief and frequent written updates on patient progress.

To learn more about Dr. Fisher’s background in Behavior Medicine please visit the About page.