Finding the right psychiatrist in Philadelphia can be challenging.

As a Philadelphia DBT therapist, connecting my clients with a psychiatrist isn’t easy. It’s important for my clients to work with a psychiatrist who understands and specializes in what my clients need.

Welcome to the next installment in my guest blogging series. As a mental health therapist providing anxiety treatment and helping people improve their relationships, people often ask about whether medication would work for them. For some people, adding medication to their existing counseling is beneficial. Today, I’m talking with Dr. Yi Wang, a psychiatrist in Philadelphia, and a psychiatric private practice owner.

Psychiatric medication is something that is often part of working with clients who are struggling with anxiety and/or intense emotions. My clients range from those already taking prescribed medication, to some not taking any or may have in the past, to those who don’t feel medication would benefit them.

When I help clients explore the possibility of psychiatric medication, many of them are resistant, due to their perception of taking a medication for psychiatric reasons, or because they’ve had bad past experiences with a medication they had been prescribed previously. Regardless of whether my clients wish to be evaluated for the benefits of medication, there’s still so much confusion and misunderstanding behind psychiatric meds. They need to talk with an expert- someone who has the specialized training to evaluate and prescribe medication for the purpose of psychiatric treatment.

Today, I’m helping to shed light on finding a specialist to help cut through the confusion of whether exploring psychiatric medication would be beneficial for you.

I’m super thrilled to continue my guest blogging series, highlighting awesome business owners and mental health providers here in Philadelphia and surrounding areas, who are all here to help you tackle anxiety and manage relationship problems, so you can create a life worth living.

Introducing Dr. Yi Wang, a psychiatrist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

I had to pleasure of meeting and talking with Dr. Wang earlier this year and was super impressed with her specialized skill set in psychiatry, in addition to, how approachable and the sense of ease I had when speaking with her.

Dr. Wang’s extensive and specialized training speaks for itself. After graduating from the University of Virginia Medical School, she completed her residency and post-residency training in forensic psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. She’s an ABPN board-certified psychiatrist, obtained additional certification to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder through the University of Pennsylvania while continuing to be active in their student education. When Dr. Wang isn’t working, she enjoys knitting and is an avid rock-climber.

Below is my interview with Dr. Yi Wang, a psychiatrist in Philadelphia.

Why did you decide to become a psychiatrist and open a private practice in Philadelphia?

I grew up right outside of Philadelphia and did my psychiatric residency and fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, so staying in the Philadelphia area was an easy decision for me! I loved the sense of community at the University of Pennsylvania, and I maintain strong ties to the Department of Psychiatry at Penn as well as other psychiatric societies in the area.

I decided to open my own psychiatric practice because I was drawn to the idea of building relationships with people in a way that could make a real difference in their health and quality of life. A private practice gives me the space and independence to really focus my attention on patient care.

How can a psychiatrist be a helpful addition to anxiety treatment and relationship counseling?

It all depends! People seek me out if they are in crisis, or if they want to work through long-standing symptoms standing in the way of a more fulfilled life. Some people find it helpful to think about their symptoms through a neurobiological lens, whereas others benefit more from empathic listening and support. Most people fall somewhere in the middle, and get relief from a mix of medications and psychotherapy.

No matter what services I end up providing—meds, or therapy, or both-- I do a lot of teaching and explaining in my practice. Mental health issues often come with powerful feelings of loss of control or helplessness. It can be very therapeutic to have a doctor explain what they think is going on and why, and why a particular medication or therapy would be helpful. 

 As a psychiatrist who prescribes medications and provides psychotherapy to adults (18+, although I also see people as young as 16 depending on the situation), I specialize in depression and anxiety disorders. I have had additional training in providing care to people with treatment-resistant depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias. 

Who are the people you love treating for anxiety disorders and providing psychiatric care?

I’ve worked with people from all kinds of backgrounds and in all kinds of settings. I’ve worked in hospitals big and small; outpatient clinics; state hospitals; emergency rooms; crisis units; and correctional facilities. I have worked with veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, adolescents struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder, and people going through difficult transitions in life or grieving the loss of a loved one.

In my current practice, I focus mostly on depression and anxiety, which are illnesses that can strike anyone. I try my best to help anyone who reaches out to me. 

Among those, I love treating the most are college-age or graduate students. I see a lot of bright young people who are hardworking and driven to succeed but struggle to find their own purpose and identity in high-pressure environments.  

What can people expect during their first appointment with you? 

Before the first appointment, I like to spend some time talking to prospective patients over the phone, so that we can both get a sense of the other. This is an opportunity for someone to tell me what they are seeking and for us to decide if we might be a good fit. If we decide that I can potentially help, then we go on to schedule the intake.

The intake is a 90-minute appointment, during which I take a full psychiatric history, formulate a working diagnosis, and present a treatment plan. My intakes tend to be a cross between a long conversation and a structured interview. I try to get as much information as I can, but I also like to take time to explain my decision-making processes, like why I came to a certain diagnosis or why I am recommending a certain medication or psychotherapy. 

What do you wish people knew about you, psychiatry & the mental health treatment you provide in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?

I encounter a lot of fear around the idea of taking psychiatric medications. Some people fear that the medications will fundamentally change their sense of self or the way they experience the world. I wish I could tell everybody that psychiatric medications are not indicated for every person struggling with mental health concerns. Even if they are indicated for someone at a specific point in time, they may not necessarily be something that should be continued forever. Good psychiatric practice involves regular reassessment of whether medications are still needed. 

If you want to learn more about working with Dr. Yi Wang and the psychiatric services she offers, check out her website here.

Finding a Psychiatrist in Philadelphia, PA

When you’re considering medication, it’s essential to learn about the people who are experts on how psychiatric medication can help treat anxiety or other mental health concerns. You need to make sure you find someone you can trust; who not only has the medical expertise, but also someone who spends the time helping you feel more comfortable in the process.

For people in counseling and wondering about the potential benefits of working with a psychiatrist, ask how your therapist how they can support you in the process. For those of you who may already be taking psychiatric medication, let your psychiatrist or provider know you’re in therapy. Having all of the people who support you with your relationship struggles and managing your anxiety, be on the same page cannot be overestimated.

Philadelphia DBT Therapy

As a DBT therapist in Philadelphia, I specialize in anxiety therapy and treatment for borderline personality disorder. If your anxiety and emotions feel out of control, Dialectical Behavior Therapy can help. Reach out HERE to schedule a free consultation for DBT.