Treatment Philosophy

• A psychiatrist is a medical specialist who helps you take care of your brain, emotions and behavior, including interpersonal relationships (job, family, social).
• I want you to clearly understand what is wrong, what your strengths and weaknesses are, whether or not change is necessary, how we collaborate to make any needed changes. You should understand and agree to any goals, and these goals should be specific and guided by your own personal values.
• Medication is just one tool to help make desired changes, and medication may be thought of as a prosthetic device, a splint, or like wearing glasses or contacts – and assist in your functioning.
• Sometimes getting off certain medications is critical and often overlooked. Medication may be unnecessary, but this can be difficult and tricky, since most research is about getting on drugs not off them.
• Other tools for change may be more important than medication. These may include changing a stressful or toxic environment or a relationship; strengthening belief systems; adjusting activity and sleep cycles; improving social skills; modifying diets, health risks, weight, and activity level.
• My primary responsibility is to you. You may or may not choose to involve others in your treatment.
• The psychiatrist, like all physicians, is not only responsible for, but also greatly interested in keeping up with new developments, treatments, therapies in the field, and related fields. Dr. Grumet has continuing involvement in reading journals, checking websites, attending conferences and grand rounds. He welcomes your participation by your questions or any new information you have access to. There is no such thing as a dumb question.