About Your Doctor

I am a physician with specialty training in psychiatry and addiction medicine. I received my undergraduate education in chemistry at the California Institue of Technology and my medical training and residency at UC Irvine. The work I do in my practice is known as behavioral medicine.

My interest in self-healing began when I was a child. I started studying martial arts and meditation at age 15 and learned numerous techniques for altering my body by using my mind. I went into medicine because I wanted to apply the power of these techniques to healing.

In medical school and residency I learned hypnosis, guided imagery and biofeedback which I was able to integrate with the techniques I practiced from the martial and meditative traditions. I have over 30 years of personal experience using and teaching self-healing techniques.

In my medical practice my role is that of teacher or tutor. I work collaboratively with my patients to help them learn how to improve their health. Most patients are surprised by how easily they can learn techniques which give them at least some relief from their distress. Tailoring the techniques to individual patients is an enjoyable, creative experience for me and for them.

While some may consider my method of practice to be alternative, I do not see myself that way. The physicians I know like their patients to learn and practice self-healing techniques. I work collaboratively with the other physicians and providers whom my patients are seeing and I will prescribe medications when it is appropriate to do so.

My style is informal and collaborative, which fits my personality and facilitates a learning environment.