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When most people think of psychiatry, they think of medication.
And while medication can be life-changing and absolutely appropriate for many people, it’s only one part of the bigger picture.
At Next Gen Psyche & Wellness, I practice an approach called integrative psychiatry—a modern, evidence-informed style of mental health care that combines psychiatric expertise with lifestyle medicine, targeted lab testing, micronutrient support, and individualized treatment planning.
The goal is simple:
✅ Reduce symptoms
✅ Improve resilience
✅ Support the brain and body together
✅ Create long-term stability—not just short-term relief
What Is Integrative Psychiatry?
Integrative psychiatry blends:
- Conventional psychiatry (diagnosis, therapy support, medication when needed)
- Lifestyle interventions (sleep, exercise, stress regulation)
- Functional and nutritional testing
- Micronutrient optimization
- Evidence-based supplements
- Genetic and pharmacogenomic testing (when appropriate)
This approach is especially helpful for people who:
- Feel “stuck” despite trying multiple medications
- Want a more holistic and personalized plan
- Prefer to minimize medication when possible
- Want to treat the root contributors—not just the symptoms
The Core Principles of Integrative Psychiatry
1) We Treat the Whole Person, Not Just the Diagnosis
Depression and anxiety are not always “just chemical imbalances.”
They can be influenced by:
- Chronic stress and burnout
- Inflammation
- Sleep disruption
- Hormonal imbalances
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Gut-brain health
- Trauma and nervous system dysregulation
Integrative psychiatry asks: What’s driving the symptoms—and what’s keeping them going?
2) We Use Data When It’s Helpful
Sometimes the brain is struggling because the body is struggling.
That’s why integrative psychiatry often includes lab testing to look for contributors that can mimic or worsen psychiatric symptoms.
Key Lab Markers We Often Consider
Inflammation: hs-CRP
One lab marker I frequently evaluate is high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).
Why it matters:
- Inflammation is increasingly linked to depression, fatigue, and brain fog
- Some people with treatment-resistant depression have elevated inflammatory markers
- Higher inflammation can predict poorer response to certain antidepressants
If inflammation is elevated, we may focus more heavily on:
- Omega-3 optimization
- Sleep and stress regulation
- Diet and metabolic health
- Targeted supplement support
Omega-3 Index
Omega-3 fatty acids (especially EPA) are one of the most evidence-supported nutritional tools in psychiatry.
I often recommend checking omega status because:
- Many people are deficient
- Omega-3s support brain cell membranes and neurotransmitter signaling
- EPA has evidence as an augmentation strategy for depression
Omega-3s are not “magic,” but they are one of the most reliable foundational supports for mood and cognitive health.
Micronutrients and Nutrient Deficiencies
Micronutrients play a critical role in:
- serotonin and dopamine synthesis
- energy production
- stress response
- sleep regulation
- cognitive function
Common labs we may consider depending on symptoms include:
- Vitamin D
- B12 and folate
- Iron / ferritin
- Magnesium status
- Thyroid markers
These deficiencies can worsen anxiety, depression, ADHD-like symptoms, and fatigue.
Genetic Testing: When It’s Helpful (and When It’s Not)
Genetic testing can be useful when:
- someone has tried multiple medications with limited benefit
- side effects have been a major issue
- there’s a family history of poor medication response
- we want to clarify metabolism pathways (like CYP enzymes)
- folate-related pathways may be involved
Pharmacogenomic testing does not tell us the perfect medication.
But it can help reduce trial-and-error and improve decision-making—especially in complex cases.
Evidence-Based Supplements We Commonly Discuss
A key part of integrative psychiatry is using supplements thoughtfully.
Not everything marketed for mental health is effective, and not everything is safe for everyone.
In my practice, I focus on supplements with stronger evidence and good tolerability.
Saffron
Saffron is one of the most promising natural compounds studied for mood.
Research suggests saffron may help support:
- mild to moderate depression
- mood stability
- emotional resilience
It can be a gentle option for some people who prefer a more natural approach—or as part of a broader plan.
NAC (N-Acetylcysteine)
NAC supports the brain through antioxidant and glutamate-modulating pathways.
It has been studied for:
- anxiety and rumination
- OCD-spectrum symptoms
- addictive behaviors
- mood stabilization support
It’s not a replacement for medication when medication is needed—but it can be a meaningful adjunct for the right patient.
Sleep: The Foundation of Psychiatric Stability
Sleep is one of the most powerful psychiatric interventions we have.
Poor sleep can worsen:
- anxiety
- depression
- ADHD symptoms
- irritability
- emotional reactivity
- trauma symptoms
In integrative psychiatry, sleep is never treated as an afterthought.
We may work on:
- circadian rhythm regulation
- behavioral sleep strategies
- calming the nervous system
- addressing racing thoughts
- medication options when appropriate
- supplement support when appropriate
Lifestyle Medicine: Real Change That Builds Long-Term Recovery
Medication can help stabilize symptoms.
But lifestyle interventions help build the foundation.
Key areas we focus on include:
Movement
Exercise supports:
- serotonin and dopamine function
- stress hormone regulation
- improved sleep quality
- reduced inflammation
Stress Regulation
We use practical tools such as:
- mindfulness and grounding strategies
- breathing practices
- nervous system education
- trauma-informed psychoeducation
Nutrition
Food is not a cure for mental illness.
But nutrition can either support brain health—or quietly worsen symptoms over time.
What Integrative Psychiatry Looks Like in Practice
In real life, this approach may include:
- a detailed psychiatric evaluation
- careful diagnosis and medication planning
- targeted lab work (when appropriate)
- micronutrient and lifestyle interventions
- evidence-based supplement support
- follow-up visits focused on progress and refinement
Most importantly:
You are not rushed. We take time to understand your symptoms, your story, and your goals.
Final Thoughts: A More Personalized Kind of Psychiatry
Integrative psychiatry is not about avoiding medication.
It’s about building a plan that supports:
🧠 brain chemistry 🫀 nervous system regulation 🧬 biology and genetics 🛌 sleep health 🥗 nutrition 🏃♂️ movement 🧘 stress resilience
This is the model of care I believe in—and the model I’ve built at Next Gen Psyche & Wellness.
If you’ve been feeling stuck, burned out, or frustrated with trial-and-error treatment, you’re not alone.
And there are more options than you’ve been told.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re interested in integrative psychiatry services—including medication management, functional lab evaluation, and personalized lifestyle-based treatment planning—I’d be honored to work with you.
Next Gen Psyche & Wellness offers:
- Telehealth across California
- In-person visits in San Diego (select availability)
- Evidence-based integrative psychiatric care
📞 Call/Text: (626) 371-3053 📧 Email: info@nextgenpsychenwellness.com