Services Provided
My services include a thorough evaluation, an individualized treatment plan, medication management, therapy and patient education. Because each person is unique, each problem is unique, so I create a treatment plan for each patient rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.
Because a wide variety of MDs and therapists provide treatment in the mental health field today, it is important to know the level of training and experience of the person treating you. A psychiatrist is the only mental health provider who is a medical doctor and the only medical doctor who specializes in mental health. Diagnosis is the key to treatment. A board-certified psychiatrist gives you the best chance for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Psychiatric evaluation and diagnosis
Your first appointment lasts about 45 to 50 minutes. I take a comprehensive history, including your current symptoms, past symptoms and treatment, medical problems, family history of mental illness and developmental history, and I do a mental status examination. Complicated histories can take several sessions. Rushing this step limits the information available and can lead to an incorrect diagnosis, and when the diagnosis is wrong, treatment will not be as effective as it should be. That can cost you unnecessary distress, time and money.
Some problems are purely psychological in nature, some are purely physical, and some are a combination of both. A careful evaluation sorts out which is which.
Medication management (psychopharmacology)
I am well trained in the art of psychotherapy, and my specialty within psychiatry is the science of psychopharmacology: the use of medications to treat emotional and behavioral disorders. Research continues to show that conditions such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, PMS, obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention deficit disorder have a physical component involving brain chemistry. The right medication can help rebalance that chemistry so the brain can function properly. If therapy is also needed, it is usually more effective in cost and time once the physical illness is treated.
Follow-up visits track how well a medication is working and whether the dose needs to change. Please never stop or change a psychiatric medication on your own. Some medications must be tapered gradually and safely under a physician's supervision.
Psychotherapy
Therapy helps you understand your symptoms, change patterns that keep them going and cope with the stresses in your life. Because I provide therapy and medication management myself, your treatment stays coordinated. You don't have to repeat your story to several providers, and nothing falls between the cracks.
Follow-up care
After the evaluation, follow-up visits are scheduled according to your needs. Some conditions improve within a few visits; others, like many anxiety and mood disorders, do best with long-term maintenance treatment. At each visit we review your symptoms, how you are functioning at home and at work, any side effects, and whether the plan needs to change. I will always give you my best estimate of how long treatment will take and how often we will meet.
Coordinating with your other doctors
Emotional symptoms and physical health affect each other, and many patients also see a primary care physician or other specialists. With your written permission, using the Authorization to Disclose Information form, I can coordinate care with them so that everyone treating you has the information they need. Without your authorization, your information stays private, as described in the confidentiality policy.
Conditions I specialize in
- Anxiety, including generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic attacks and panic disorder
- Phobias, including agoraphobia and social phobia
- Depression
- PMS
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity
To learn how I approach medication for anxiety disorders, read my article Benzodiazepines as a First-Line Treatment for Anxiety Disorders.
Marital sex therapy
In addition, my wife Ann and I offer sex therapy for married couples: a structured seven-week program that helps with sexual dysfunction and improves communication between partners.
Consultations
Phone and office consultations are available. For a fee schedule, call 757-461-7571. You can read about fees, payment and cancellations on the rates and insurance page.
Patient education
Understanding your illness is part of getting well. My book, Help! I Think I'm Dying! Panic Attacks and Phobias, and the DVD Panic Attacks and Phobias Conquered: Patients Share Their Victories explain symptoms, causes and effective treatment in plain language.
How to get started
- Call 757-461-7571 to schedule a consultation. I build time into my schedule for new patients so the wait is minimal.
- Download and complete the new patient forms and bring them to your first visit.
- Bring a list of your current medications and doses, and any past treatment records you have.
- Read the common questions page so you know what to expect.
Common Questions
Do you offer both medication management and therapy?
Yes. I provide medication management, psychotherapy or a combination of both, and I handle all of it myself rather than splitting treatment with another provider.
How long is the first appointment?
The first session lasts about 45 to 50 minutes. Complicated histories can take more than one session to evaluate properly.
Are phone consultations available?
Phone and office consultations are available. Call 757-461-7571 for a fee schedule.
Ready to take the next step? Call 757-461-7571 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Granoff. The office is at 1604 Hilltop West Executive Center, Suite 309, Virginia Beach, VA 23451.
If you are in crisis: call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (available 24/7), call 911, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.