Services

The foundation for treatment is trust. Dr. Tice offers expert care in a confidential, compassionate, and respectful manner that involves partnering with patients, their trusted family members, and significant others in a collaborative manner. He is pleased to coordinate care with other physicians and therapists in an effort to maximize the benefit that each clinician can offer. As a physician Board Certified in both Psychiatry and in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, he seeks to provide state-of–the-art patient care. In pursuit of this goal he strives to understand the whole person in a thorough and careful manner, as many issues may be contributing to a person’s symptoms.

Evaluation—Prior to determining a diagnosis or making any recommendations for treatment, it is critical to investigate and understand the many factors which may account for the distressing symptoms an individual is experiencing. Learning what an individual’s history of symptoms entails and the context in which these symptoms occur facilitate how to best care for their needs. Past history of similar and related symptoms, family history, medical history, and habits are all important. In addition, understanding factors from a person’s development, significant life changing events, persons of influence; as well as their life circumstances, hobbies, skills, successes, and spiritual beliefs all can lend important insight into a person’s symptoms and the best means to address those symptoms.

Finally, laboratory studies, diagnostic tests, and/or a physical examination are often important for clarifying the cause of various symptoms that may be due to or exacerbated by physical or chemical imbalance problems. In addition, this process serves to establish a baseline status for comparison as treatment progresses. Upon completion of this initial evaluation Dr. Tice will describe his assessment of what the symptoms mean and options for addressing them given the specific needs, preferences, and values of an individual.

Treatment typically starts with educating persons regarding the nature of their symptoms and the options for addressing their issues apart from prescribed pharmaceuticals. Often there are several factors that exacerbate the nature of one’s symptoms that can be impacted by changes in nutrition, sleep habits, exercise, and stress management. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy may assist in changing harmful thought patterns that contribute to the problems of concern. When these therapeutic approaches are effectively applied, the need for additional intervention, such as medication, can be limited.

Many people significantly benefit from and need medication to achieve the best outcome. It is very important to consider the risks of taking medication; common and potentially serious side effects verses the probable benefits and the risks involved in not using this therapy when indicated. However, each individual is unique, and finding a medication or combination of medications that work best for each person is of high importance. Dr. Tice is pleased to pursue a personalized treatment program that addresses the unique needs of each individual.