Dr. Anthony Mascola, M.D.

I am a Stanford trained Psychiatrist. I'm warm, caring, and worked very hard throughout my career to offer the very best care possible to my patients. I earned multiple honors and received several awards for my service.

• Internship Stanford University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
• Residency Stanford University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
• Fellowship Stanford University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
• Faculty Stanford University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
• Medical Director, Evidence Based Practices and Ongoing Education.

I am a physician (MD) highly trained in a type of counseling called Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). I take the time to talk and collaborate with my patients at each visit and offer longer appointments so that you have time to feel heard and cared for. I do not aggressively push medications and work to avoid them if possible. I can compassionately use medications where indicated if someone is really struggling and wishes to do so, but I generally work to avoid using medications. This is sadly becoming increasingly rare in my field. I often work with persons who are hoping to avoid 15 minute med check types of appointments who hope to have a doctor who emphasizes engaging in therapy before starting medicines.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy is a very well researched form of treatment that is highly effective. I studied for more than a decade extensively from David Burns, MD as well as Stewart Agras, MD both of whom were pioneers in Psychiatry and the development of Cognitive Behavior Therapy at Stanford University. I conducted research and taught other professionals these methods of therapy while at Stanford and now offer them to my patients.

I help persons who are struggling with anxiety and depressive symptoms to not feel so alone and to find resilience and strength when circumstances feel overwhelming.

My family is all from Italy and were fishermen. They were very poor when they came to the USA and worked very hard to get through tough times drawing upon their faith and family. I am Catholic and respect that faith can often be important to my patients. Helping people to find hope when circumstances are challenging and encouraging persons to connect with supportive others is very important in getting through tough times. I take insurance because when persons are undergoing stress, finances can often be important contributors to this stress. A lot of good Psychiatrists and Psychologists do not take insurance any more but this leaves many patients unable to afford help. This doesn't feel right to me. I take insurance here through Headway and also through MyCatholicDoctor.com. I know the pain of personal and professional losses as I have lost my wife and daughter and can share these and many other life experiences that are profoundly challenging with my patients. I deeply understand that life can be difficult. I hope to support persons like I would support my own family and I strive to draw out the strengths and virtues that help us all get through life's tough times. Please call me if you are interested in a wholesome and human approach to managing the stress that is burdening you. You will not be disappointed.

I enjoy collaborating with others who are eager to be active in their recovery - persons willing not just to receive support or passively take medications, but those seeking to learn and actively apply and rehearse CBT skills in getting through difficult times. It is not always easy to face one's fears or to be vulnerable. It is normal and human to avoid difficult things. I wouldn't be honest though in my heart of hearts if I encouraged this passive approach. I am caring and sensitive and also realistic. I prefer to help people grow through the adversities and challenges that life brings so that peace and emotional strength grow over time and result in greater and greater feelings of confidence and resilience.

I typically assign readings and homework assignments to help persons grow and build confidence and strength in challenging circumstances. There is a lot of research demonstrating that this more active approach is very protective in facing high levels of stress in the future and greatly reduces the risk of relapse of depression and anxiety in the future.

If you are seeking or have never tried CBT and want to be treated as a capable human being rather than an object subject to interrogation with the doctor focused on a series of check boxes on a computer screen during a 15-minute medication check, don't hesitate to call me. If you want someone to really be present and spend time and partner with you in learning powerful tools to defend your spirits in the face of adversity, that is why I went to medical school and trained and was on the faculty at Stanford for so many years. Life can be very hard, those persons that we invite to share these challenges with us are important as they can both support us and push us through things that we could not imagine we could overcome alone. Many persons are afraid to reach out to a good professional. Don't be alone now. Please call. I am a good and kind person and will do everything I can to help...