About My Practice – Harvard (opens in a new window) & Columbia Trained Psychiatrist – Longmeadow, MA
I am a Harvard-trained, Psychology Today verified (opens in a new window), highly experienced, Board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in integrative psychiatry and behavioral medicine. I provide customized, evidence-based diagnostic evaluations, consultation and treatment tailored to your individual needs, interests, and goals. I also have experience in treating stress-related medical symptoms and chronic medical conditions, and can collaborate with your primary care clinicians to provide coordinated, efficient and effective care. I believe strongly in the connection between the mind and body, and its relevance to wellness, health promotion, and disease prevention. Currently, I practice the use of telemedicine, so that the distribution of all the health-services I provide is given virtually.
Treatment methods
Here are some of the treatment methods I use:
Medication Management (Psychopharmacology)
Medication Management is used to oversee the use of prescriptions for a patient, ensuring that medication is taken properly, carefully, and effectively. Dr. Locke will explain the advantages and disadvantages of the medication, including the risks and benefits. He will address any questions or concerns that you may have and verify your understanding.
Talk Therapy (Psychotherapy)
We often find it helpful to talk our problems out with a friend or family member, but there’s usually only so much they can do. Psychotherapy enables us to talk to someone who is trained to help us deal with negative emotions or experiences, working through our thoughts and feelings in a constructive, guiding manner.
Behavior Therapy (e.g., Cognitive Behavior Therapy, or CBT)
Behavior therapy is based on the principle that all behaviors are learned; therefore, we can work to identify and change unhealthy behaviors. This umbrella term includes CBT (cognitive behavior therapy), an extremely effective, hands-on approach to changing patterns of thinking.
Problem-Solving Therapy
Problem-Solving therapy tackles the root of a problem, designed to help an individual cope with and manage the negative effects of a stressful or traumatic experience. Training in problem-solving skills has been found to be effective for issues such as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and interpersonal problems.
Supervised Exercise, Meditation, & Yoga Referrals
Some psychiatrists can help with and/or supervise activities such as meditation and yoga, exercises aimed at reducing stress, easing anxiety, and focusing on the present moment, breath by breath. Learning “mindfulness” is fundamental to all stress management programs.
Therapeutic Nutritional Supplements (Nutraceuticals)
In Nutraceutical therapy, a clinician makes use of naturally occurring substances and nutritional supplements to create individualized treatments that address certain health conditions. A common example is fish oil, which contains Omega-3 fatty acids.
Wellness Coaching
Wellness coaching aids us in setting lifestyle goals for our future and guides us on our way towards reaching those goals, developing strategies for improving our physical, emotional, and mental health to become the best version of ourselves.
Work-Life Balance Coaching
Many people struggle with finding a balance between work, family, friends, and hobbies. Work-life balance coaching helps us to set priorities and learn how to make better choices in distributing our time and energy strategically and satisfactorily.
Career Coaching
Career coaches are experts in career planning, interviewing, and negotiating, but more importantly, they’re there to help you decide what it is you want to do and find which career path would truly be best for you.
Technology-Assisted Self-Care (Wearable Monitors, Mobile Apps)
Wearable technologies such as apps for weight control or monitors for disease (blood pressure, blood glucose levels, etc.) are innovative solutions to better manage certain health problems. A trained professional is able to help an individual navigate this technology and use self-guided programs to ensure maintenance of health.
Types of psychotherapy (talk therapy) offered
- Behavior Modification
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Habit Control
- Problem Solving Therapy
- Couples Therapy
- Family Psychotherapy
- Group Psychotherapy
- Marital Counseling
- Marital Therapy
- Wellness Coaching
- Diet Counseling
- Exercise Counseling
- Life Coaching
- Stress Management
- Guided Imagery
Conditions treated
- Adjustment Disorder
- Anxiety
- Depressive Disorders
- Dysthymia (Chronic Depression)
- Eating Disorders
- End-of-Life Issues
- Hallucinogen Persisting Perceptual Disorder (HPPD)
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Mood Disorders
- Mood Disorders Due to a General Medical Condition
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Relationship Issues
- Seasonal Affective Disorder
- Social Anxiety or Social Phobia
- Somatoform (Mind-Body) Disorders
- Stress
For relationship problems, talk therapy (individual, group therapy, and couples therapy) is likely to be used. Stress-related medical symptoms and chronic conditions often require a collaborative care approach and care coordination with other clinicians.
What patients say
Read reviews from patients about their experience with Dr. Locke.
Why choose my practice?
With so many options available, here are some reasons why you would select our practice.
Recognized Expertise
Professional and Compassionate
Highly Accredited Team
Telehealth Availability
“Patient-centered care includes shared decision-making, enabling us to be partners in your care.” — Dr. Steven Locke