Areas of Focus

Integrative Psychiatry is a holistic approach to mental health care that combines conventional psychiatric treatments with evidence-based complementary therapies and lifestyle interventions. There is increasing recognition that processes in the body (inflammation, immune activation) can impact mood and cognitive functioning. Incorporating Integrative approaches could provide benefit if you have persistent mood symptoms despite optimized psychiatric medication management, want to focus on prevention and the building of wellness, or have limited tolerance to psychiatric medications due to side effects. An Integrative approach can include discussion about the impact of nutrition, gut health, mindfulness-based therapies, exercise, and supplements, in addition to traditional psychiatric medication management.

Integrative Psychiatry

There are both biological and psychological components to normal aging, and older adults are at risk for depression and anxiety disorders. Individual psychotherapy, Integrative approaches, and psychiatric medications are all options in the treatment of mood symptoms. Working with a psychiatrist with medical training can be particularly helpful, as additional care is needed in developing the best treatment plan. For example, older adults can be more sensitive to medication side effects and when on other medications, have increased risk for medication interactions.

Cognitive impairment, often from Alzheimer’s or vascular disease, can result in emotional and/or behavioral disturbances that impact quality of life and care. While there is no cure for these diseases, psychoactive medications can sometimes help with sleep, appetite, mood, and behaviors. Dr. Cross can provide education regarding behavioral strategies, caregiver support, and discuss the role for medications in reducing symptoms. 

Geriatric Psychiatry

Psychotherapy can be a helpful treatment option for many, including those dealing with a stressful life event, managing loss or grief, dealing with the impact of trauma, coping with medical illness, and those with depressive or anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy can help to alleviate symptoms, improve functioning, and enhance emotional well-being and is an important component to many treatment plans.

There are multiple approaches to therapy. Dr. Cross works with individuals and offers supportive and psychodynamic psychotherapy in her private practice.

Individual Psychotherapy

Areas of Speciality

  • Depressive disorders

  • Anxiety disorders

  • PTSD

  • Bipolar disorder

  • “Med-psych” including somatic symptom disorders

  • Career burnout

  • Low self-esteem

  • Issues around body image (HAES aligned)

  • Grief

Those that identify as

  • Physicians and healthcare workers

  • Researchers, scientists

  • LGBTQIA+