Douglas Welsh

Health problems can cause immense challenges in all areas of life. These problems can take on a variety of forms, such as chronic pain, chronic illnesses, or functional symptoms. To best understand these complex issues, I take a biopsychosocial approach to consider how your physical health, mental health, and social environment can interact to influence your well-being. Because of this, I make it a priority to stay current with research in psychology and related fields so I can better understand the complex problems my patients experience. Part of this process involves collaborating with your providers, family members, and others close to you who understand your experiences. Throughout my graduate and post-graduate training, I have sought out experiences to help me develop a collaborative approach to navigating these challenges with patients. These opportunities led me to develop a particular interest in functional symptoms and chronic pain. During my fellowship in the Department of Neurology at the University of Rochester Medical Center, I received training in CBT, ISTDP, and family systems approaches to treat functional symptoms. I also worked with neurology residents to build their understanding of functional symptoms and coached them on effective communication with their patients. Through this work, I also became involved with a local epilepsy organization. This included giving talks to families on how epilepsy can affect mental health. I value the opportunity to partner with individuals as they navigate these challenging symptoms and work toward greater well-being. I look forward to partnering with you in this process.