Treatment Philosophy
“In my early professional years, I was asking the question: How can I treat, or cure, or change this person? Now I would phrase the question in this way: How can I provide a relationship which this person may use for their own personal growth?”
- Carl Rogers, founder of humanistic psychotherapy
I believe my role as a Psychiatrist is not to "cure" my patients but instead to join them on their unique paths to mental wellness. Having trained in Psychiatry at the University of Michigan, I take an evidence-based approach to mental health. However, in addition to traditional medication management, I have studied multiple forms of psychotherapy, opened myself to wellness-based methods, explored complex topics with patients from race to spirituality, and remain open to learning more approaches to mental healthcare.
I specialize in biological approaches to improving mental health including medications, nutritional supplements, light therapy, sleep therapy and lifestyle interventions including meditation, dietary changes, and aerobic exercise. I integrate different forms of psychotherapy including psychodynamic, CBT, DBT and offer both individual and couples therapy.
Areas of Treatment Focus
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Medical Illness
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Medication Management
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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
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Panic attacks
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Post-traumatic Stress
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Racial identity
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Relationship difficulties
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Stress
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Academic difficulties
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Anxiety
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Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD/ADHD)
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Coping Skills
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Depression
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Existential issues
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Grief
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Insomnia
Services Provided
Psychiatric Assessment
I am trained in traditional psychiatric assessments involving detailed history gathering, biological assessments, psychiatric diagnosis, and related treatment recommendations.
Psychotropic Medications
Psychotropic medications can be life-saving tools on the journey to wellness. I perform close assessments and collaborate with my patients to help decide if medications are right for them.
Exercise planning
Dietary modification
More and more research is suggesting a link between bad dietary habits and poor mental health. As a physician, Dr. Rai is able to provide medical advice around healthy and safe dietary changes to improve his patients' overall health and well-being.
Natural supplements
For people with mild symptoms, it is reasonable to try using evidence-based natural interventions. For patients with severe symptoms, these can be helpful adjunctive tools used in conjunction with other treatments.
Bright light therapy
For people living in certain parts of the world, during the winter bright light therapy can be a vital treatment. Studies also support the use of bright light therapy in people with non-seasonal depression.
Couples Therapy
Maintaining lasting and loving relationships with our partners is one of the most important but challenging parts of our lives. I am trained in using the Gottman Method, an evidence-based, comprehensive and genuinely practical approach to couples therapy. I do not provide couples therapy AND individual treatment simultaneously in order to maintain neutrality.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
CBT is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy guided by the observation that emotions, thoughts, and behaviors are interconnected. Having trained in CBT at the University of Michigan, I use it to help patients change maladaptive thoughts and unhealthy patterns of behavior.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Having completed a fellowship in psychodynamic therapy through the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute, I have come to appreciate how using this approach, my patients and I can better understand their unconscious biases, fantasies and countless other neurotic thoughts that are influencing their mental well-being.
Online scheduling
You can conveniently schedule appointments through your phone or computer using the online calendar. You can also cancel/reschedule appointments directly yourself.
Online portal
I provide an online portal for all of my patients to direct message me. I monitor this frequently and try to respond to all messages within 1 business day.
Video appointments
For patients unable to make it in person for their appointment, I am able to see them from the convenience of their home or office through an online telemedicine platform.
Regular exercise is a fundamental part of maintaining mental wellness. I utilize an evidence-based approach called motivational interviewing to increase my patients' desire and willingness to engage in regular exercise.
