Today’s clinician spotlight is Ariel Brown, MD. Dr. Brown is a psychiatrist with experience using psychodynamic psychotherapy, CBT, DBT, and supportive psychotherapy. She is passionate about learning different modalities in order to meet patients’ specific needs. We interviewed Dr. Brown recently about her career in mental wellness and with Rivia Mind. Here’s what she had to say:
Education and Background
Raised in the Philadelphia suburbs, Dr. Brown studied psychology at Tufts University before going back home to Philadelphia to pursue a medical degree at Jefferson. After medical school, she did her psychiatry residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, where she has lived ever since.
“Like many others in our field, I grew up seeing loved ones struggle with their mental health and became increasingly curious about the disease processes and life experiences which contributed,” Dr. Brown explains. “I saw the massive difference that quality treatment can make in patients’ and their family’s lives and knew I wanted to be a part of that healing journey.”
Specialty & Approach To Therapy
Dr. Brown describes her approach to therapy as flexible, curious, patient-centered, validating, and warm. “I love connecting with people, and I love how psychiatry allows me to use both the creative and scientific parts of my mind. I also find the field fascinating in that it is ever-evolving and there is so much still to be discovered!”
She has training in several modalities of therapy, and tries to incorporate elements from all of them into her work, to make her therapy approach eclectic and tailored to each individual patient. She also adjusts her therapy based on feedback from each patient, which is why she encourages patients to be honest about what is and isn’t working for them.
She chose psychiatry as her chosen path in mental health because, “There is so much evidence that adding therapy alongside medication management improves the overall efficacy of treatment! So much of the improvement from therapy has to do with finding a good fit between patient and provider, so once that rapport is built the opportunities for improvement are endless.”
She also specializes in working with substance use disorders, “which started from living with a loved one struggling through this and finding the work and accomplishments that can be achieved very fulfilling.”
Joining Rivia Mind
Dr. Brown is a recent addition to the Rivia Mind team, but we’ve been happy to have her. As for her time since joining Rivia Mind, she said:
“So far, my favorite part of Rivia is the people! Everyone is so warm and supportive. I also really appreciate that there is a culture of shared values, with everyone committed to learning, growing, and providing high-quality care to patients.”
Advice For Those Starting Therapy
Beginning therapy is a brave decision, and it can be a daunting one at first. Fortunately, Dr. Brown has some advice for individuals who have decided to reach out for mental health support. The first piece of advice? Don’t give up!
“I am always saddened to hear when patient’s are deterred from treatment due to past negative experiences with providers or the healthcare system at large or even due to a bad fit. I would say to keep trying, and don’t be afraid to give feedback to your providers (positive AND negative!) to help arrive at the best fit for you.”
Of course, it may still take some time to find the right mental health provider, and that’s okay. “Don’t be afraid to try out a few different providers in the beginning to get a sense of what styles best suit you. Remember that this is YOUR treatment and you deserve to find a good fit!”
Self-Care For the Clinician
Everyone needs to unwind after a hard day at work, and psychiatrists and other mental health providers are no exceptions. Dr. Brown practices unwinding by spending time doing what she loves. “Getting snuggles from my dog is always my first go-to! I also enjoy letting off some steam with a good workout class, and particularly enjoy kickboxing. I also often play board games and Dungeon and Dragons in my free time, which is a great way to be both strategic, creative, and social.”
Ariel Brown, MD, is just one of the many skilled and compassionate clinicians we’re lucky to have on our team here at Rivia Mind. Interested in beginning your mental healthcare journey? Contact Rivia Mind today to learn more, find a provider, or schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
