Ketamine, Autism, and Restorative Justice with Bergina Isbell, MD

Dr. Bergina Isbell, CMO at Led Life Psychiatry, Maryland, combines personal experience and professional innovation to enhance mental health care. Specializing in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, she offers hope to those with depression, anxiety, and on the Autism spectrum. Dr. Bergina champions restorative justice, seeking healing over punishment and emphasizing mutual understanding and forgiveness. Her practice prioritizes individual sensory needs, creating a therapeutic environment tailored to each patient. Beyond the clinic, her advocacy extends to supporting families with special needs, demonstrating the importance of flexibility, empathy, and finding joy in life's challenges.

Timestamps/Shownotes:

[00:02:00] Multiple Licenses and Autism: Dr. Brigina discusses her motivation for obtaining multiple state licenses, driven by the need to address her children's requirements due to Autism, and emphasizes the concept of turning lemons into lemonade.

[00:07:00] SXSW Talk and Dancing in the Rain: Dr. Brigina shares insights from her SXSW talk titled "Ditch Work Life Balance and Learn to Dance," focusing on juggling life's responsibilities and finding joy in challenges, including her personal connection to dancing as a hobby and metaphor for handling life's difficulties.

[00:09:00] Specializing in Special Needs: The conversation shifts to Dr. Brigina's practice specializing in children and adults with special needs, evolving from advocacy at IEP meetings to professional referrals, and supporting neurodiversity through her practice and community engagement.

[00:11:00] Boundaries and Self-Disclosure: Dr. Brigina discusses navigating boundaries and self-disclosure in her professional and personal life, especially relating to her experiences as a parent of children with Autism, and shares a story about an airport incident highlighting advocacy for those with special needs.

[00:15:00] Tips for Handling Stressful Situations: Dr. Brigina offers advice for families and individuals with special needs on preparing for and navigating high-stress environments like airport security, emphasizing preparation and communication with service providers.

[00:18:00] Utilizing Telehealth for Autism Spectrum: Insights on effectively using telehealth for individuals on the Autism spectrum, stressing the importance of initial in-person visits when possible and the use of social stories and personal comfort items during sessions.

[00:20:00] Ketamine Therapy and Sensory Considerations: Discussion about the introduction of ketamine therapy in her practice, prompted by a patient's experience, and the importance of sensory inventory to accommodate individuals on the Autism spectrum undergoing ketamine treatment.

[00:24:00] Ketamine for Mental Illness in Autism Spectrum: Dr. Brigina reflects on the impact of ketamine and SPRAVATO treatments for individuals on the Autism spectrum with concurrent mental health conditions, based on patient stories and the potential for broader application.

[00:27:00] Industry Perspectives and Restorative Justice: Towards the end, Dr. Brigina shares her thoughts on the ketamine treatment industry, emphasizing personalized care over a "puppy mill" approach, and introduces the topic of restorative justice, highlighting her involvement in a TEDx talk on the subject.

[00:33:00] Seeking Restorative Justice: Strategies for individuals interested in exploring restorative justice, including community research and professional guidance, and considerations for its appropriate application.

[00:37:00] Restorative Justice in Psychiatry: Dr. Brigina advocates for a restorative justice approach within psychiatry, reflecting on the historical context of psychiatric care, the challenges of involuntary commitment, and the potential for innovative treatments like ketamine to transform patient care.

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