psychotherapy.yourmd.comWayne D. Blackmon, M.D., J.D.

Dr. Blackmon Our Staff The Office Of Dr. Blackmon Patient Privacy Home Welcome Welcome Psychiatrist in Washington, D. C. PSYCHOTHERAPY AND FORENSIC PSYCHIATRY Attain insight; translate that insight into action. A SPECIAL MESSAGE TO THOSE WHO ARE FEELING ANXIETY ABOUT CORONA VIRUS OR COVID-19 By now you have probably seen and heard many platitudes on how to stay calm and not suffer from ”corona virus anxiety.” When FDR said “we have nothing to fear but fear itself,” he was wise. We do not need mental health professionals stirring fears so they can claim usefulness. Not all concern is pathologic, and dealing with that fear and channeling it into constructive action is what our focus must be. Fear, anxiety, concern, anticipation, risk management, are all on a continuum. When in an identified danger, fear is an appropriate response. When feeling afraid either when no risk exists, or fearful beyond perspective, then we are feeling true anxiety. Right now all of us are facing a public health crisis due to the corona virus, Covid-19, and prudent concern is warranted. That concern should provoke realistic anticipation and lead to prudent risk management. A person cannot feel anxiety when that person knows that he or she is up to the task faced, tension? Yes. Anxiety? No. Because when you know you are up to the task, you can be confident. Right now, the best way to deal with the corona virus pandemic is to: Be informed. No need to stay glued to the TV or internet, but seek reliable information. Follow the guidelines. Don’t go out excessively if older or if you have health problems. Make reasonable stockpiles of supplies, medicine, and food. It is when you see that you are taking care of yourself that you can take satisfaction in translating your fear into constructive action. Furthermore, when not acting excessively and following guidelines, you can take satisfaction from knowing that as a public health matter, you are also taking care of others. This will end and most people will survive. Most people will have jobs, and, ideally the government will address most people’s economic insecurity. We must all stay rational when it is easy to panic. We always have a capacity to recognize out emotions, think about them, take rational actions. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE Care Philosophy I am a psychiatrist who still practices psychotherapy in addition to utilizing medication in my practice. You, the patient, come first. I listen carefully to what you say, get a background history, learn your treatment goals and work with you to craft the best possible psychiatric treatment plan based on what you need. I do not participate in any insurance plans because I want to be able to work with you, the patient, without interference, and to be able to use my clinical judgment to offer what is in your best interest, not that of the insurance company. I am located just north of downtown Washington, D. C., convenient for Washington and the Virginia and Maryland suburbs. The aim of psychiatry and psychotherapy is to help you gain insight into yourself, find what may be blocking you in your life, and translate that insight into action. By engaging in a true dialog, we can obtain results. I combine state-of-the-art medication therapy with compassionate psychotherapy for symptom relief, practical problem solving and psychological insight into feelings and behaviors. Office Location Wayne D. Blackmon, M. D. 3000 Connecticut Ave., N. W. Suite 310 Washington DC, District of Columbia 20008 202-518-9219 Cell Phone: 202-487-4357 Specialties I am a general psychiatrist, and focus my clinical practice on treating anxiety, depression, executive stress and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As Professorial Lecturer in Law and Psychiatry at George Washington University Law School, I teach two law courses, Law and Psychiatry; Scientific Evidence. I work as a forensic psychiatrist and provide testimony as an expert witness, case evaluation, depositions, psychiatric evaluation as medical expert, psychiatrist expert or forensic expert. A member of the Maryland Bar, I do not practice law in DC. Insurance Because of the interference with professional judgment, I do not accept any insurance plans. Announcements I am pleased to have been voted one of the best psychiatrists in Washington by my colleagues for Washingtonian Magazine 2016 2017 Washington DC Psychiatry and Psychotherapy National President American Society of Psychoanalytic Physicians 2013 - 2015 2011 President, Washington, D. C. Chapter, American Society of Psychoanalytic Physicians. I am proud to have been listed for 2012 as one of Washington’s top, best psychiatrists, listed in Washingtonian Magazine. Chosen an American Best Psychiatrist for 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 by the Consumer Research Council Top Psychiatrists. Chosen an American Best Psychiatrist 2002 - 2006 by the Consumer Research Council Top Psychiatrists. Washington DC Psychotherapy I teach "Law and Psychiatry" and "Scientific Evidence" at George Washington U Law School. These courses cover science, law, psychiatry, expert testimony and forensic testimony. Expert Witness Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress This web site has an e-mail feature. I am not using this feature and not checking any messages left through this feature. Please do not contact me through e-mail or this web site. As always, I am reachable by phone at (202) 518-9219 Useful links for Patients I was pleased to read this commentary on advantages of psychotherapy from the New York Times: http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/07/19/opinion/psychiatrys-identity-crisis.html I was shocked and saddened to see the New York Times profile of a psychiatrist who has abandoned psychotherapy. Talk therapy is a serious process with a long history of observations and research. Recent research confirms how powerful and useful proper talk therapy really is. Recent Research on the benefits of psychotherapy: Shedler summary of research on psychotherapy effectiveness Summary of Shedler research Dr. Blackmon’s letter to the New York Times: To the Editor Your article, Talk Doesn’t Pay, So Psychiatry Turns Instead to Drug Therapy, is sad, but fortunately, only partially true. While many psychiatrists have been willing to compromise clinical judgment, and become mere prescription brokers, many of us continue to protect, perform, and enrich the proud tradition of medical psychotherapy. No field, other than psychiatry combines the advances of medicine with the psychology of the mind. There is no such thing as a brainless mind, nor a mindless brain. I hope at some point you will be willing to cover the amazing advances in clinical research into psychotherapy Link to New York Times article: Talk Doesn’t Pay, So Psychiatry Turns Instead to Drug Therapy Common Conditions Panic disorder: Answers to your questions about panic disorder Phobia : Understanding phobias Substance abuse: Substance abuse problems Anxiety disorders: Getting help for anxiety Post traumatic stress disorder: Facts about PTSD Depression: Mayo Clinic on depression Antidepressants: Facts about antidepressants Facts about Insomnia: Understanding insomnia Interesting Clinical Articles Herbal Remedies in Psychiatry: Over view of herbal remedies in psychiatry St. Johns Wort: Facts about St. Johns Wort Echinacea Root for prevention of infection: Facts about Echinacea Ginkgo and memory: Ginko does’t always help Valerian Root for insomnia and sleep disorders: Valerian root is a safe, effective, non-addictive sleep aide Staying Healthy Insomnia: Getting to sleep Coping with memories of 9/11: Memories of 9/11 How to handle stress: Guide to handle stress Forensic Psychiatry and Law Insanity Defense: Insanity defense, from Psychiatric Times Of interest to Men Low testosterone: Men’s guide to low testosterone This is an older version about testosterone, but it is just as valid, and more clearly written than the newer v...