Dr. Robert Alessi

Born and raised in New York City. Graduated from Loyola Stritch School of Medicine. Received my Psychiatric Residency training at Columbia and Cornell. Thereafter, I was a Clinical Professor at NYU. In additional, I have had the privilege of working in New York, Virginia, and California in Senior Management positions and as provider of multiple behavioral health care systems. I have extensive clinical expertise in psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, and the interface between medical and surgical pathology with behavioral health disorders. My clinical focus emphasizes a comprehensive approach in working with adolescents, adults, and with emphasis upon kindness and compassion. This practice style includes mindfulness strategies, nutritional health, exercise programs and a healthy, balanced lifestyle. My longstanding purpose in life is one of helping others which also includes continuous learning and sharing this knowledge and wisdom with others. Interests include love of nature, hiking, physical fitness, baseball, tennis, rescue dogs and, most importantly, my family and friends.

I have 50 years of clinical experience. I do not think I know everything and I continue to learn. I am very committed to helping people which why I am still practicing at this stage of my life. I have obtained a vast data bank of information and experiences that has helped me to use the wisdom of that knowledge and experience in helping others. I also emphasize a comprehensive approach and, with my Internal Medicine background we look at lifestyle changes that can be a factor in anyone's quality of life. Having been in leadership roles for more than 40 years of my career, I have developed expertise in using multiple types of psychotherapy which includes DBT, CBT, mindfulness strategies, supportive psychotherapy, and psychoanalytic psychotherapy. I have developed the ability to modify my approach according to each individual's potential responsiveness to any of these modalities of treatment or a combination of such to help them in an optimal fashion. I have extensive experience and expertise in using psychiatric medications to facilitate one's improvement over time. This modality of treatment is used very conservatively and not as a sole source of helping my patients. If a patient would like to use me for the sole purpose of medication management, I am open to that option as long as you are willing to a referral for a capable therapist, if clinically indicated. I have always put emphasis upon an approach of comprehensive care. In other words, putting the whole package together as the best way of helping my patients. I do not use a cookbook approach but individualized treatment for each and every one of my patients.

In conclusion, my greatest strength is having joy and dedication in successfully helping my patients reach their therapeutic goals over time.

The first visit or consultation is one of getting to know each other. Obtaining a thorough history is very important, but I do so by explaining strategies along the way that may be helpful in the present. I place emphasis upon listening carefully in a kind and compassionate fashion. Together we will develop guidelines and goals for treatment during our first visit together. However, this can require several visits and with emphasis also placed upon establishing a trusting working relationship or therapeutic alliance.