Referrals from GPs

I welcome referrals from GP colleagues. My practice is best suited to help-seeking patients who are motivated and engaged in their care. My focus is on providing an integrated psychiatric approach that considers mind, body and lifestyle. Below I have detailed some common reasons that a GP may consider referring a patient to me.

Diagnostic Clarification

• Uncertain, mixed or complex presentations - for instance atypical or overlapping symptom clusters (eg. anxiety, mood, inattention, trauma).

• Atypical evolution or poorer-than-expected treatment response meriting a diagnostic re-think.

• Questions about past psychiatric labels that may no longer feel accurate or helpful to the clinician or the patient.

Multiple or Complex Drivers of Illness

• When a multitude of complex bio-psycho-social factors are coming together to drive illness. In such cases a specialist assessment with a holistic focus can be key to unlocking progress.

Specialist Medications Support

• Beyond-the-basics medications support from a specialist - essential in cases of treatment resistance, atypical illness, past medication complications or intolerances.

• Support with longstanding and complex medication regimes - for example where polypharmacy, dependency, or withdrawal effects are a concern

• Support with deprescribing or rationalising medication safely under specialist supervision.

A holistic psychiatric approach

You may have a patient who is interested in accessing specialist care and who values an approach based on collaboration, psychological insight and long-term wellbeing. They may want to explore their difficulties in greater depth and to consider a broader range of treatment options than may normally be on offer in a primary care setting. My patients benefit from the following;

• Specialist diagnostic assessment - helping them feel confident that they have the right diagnosis and the correct treatment approach.

• Specialist assessment of physiological contributors to illness (hormonal, biochemical etc) - ensuring that these factors are identified and addressed, improving treatment prognosis.

• a holistic formulation of illness and difficulties that incorporates an understanding of their biological, psychological and social states.

• Expert Holistic Treatment Plans that include

• Traditional Biological Treatment modalities such as Pharmacotherapy & Neuromodulation

• Specialist guidance in exploring and choosing the best-suited psychological and somatic therapeutic approaches

• Lifestyle support including nutritional, sleep and circadian rhythm and fitness optimisation.

My service is not appropriate for patients who

• Have engaged poorly in treatment and lack the desire or motivation to make evidence-based lifestyle changes

• Are at acute risk of suicide or violence

• Require urgent psychiatric input, intensive case management or 24/7 availability

• Are experiencing active psychosis or mania

• Require inpatient treatment, or crisis support

Working in Partnership

I offer timely, collaborative input for GPs seeking:

• Extended psychiatric assessments outside the time constraints of primary care

• Integrative support to complement long-term GP or therapy-based management

• Clear, thoughtful communication with patients and referrers alike

I’m always happy to discuss a case informally before a referral is made. Contact me via the form below - I will be happy to arrange a preliminary discussion and can provide you with a secure route to send any subsequent referral.