Photo of Katherine Johnson, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in 01002, MA
Katherine Johnson
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, AGNP, PMHNP
Verified Verified
Amherst, MA 01002
Katherine brings a humanistic approach to her practice. She uses her background in primary care medicine as well as psychiatry to provide compassionate and client-focused care, and to meet the needs of each patient as individuals. Katherine’s clinical experience is broad and includes adult medicine, geriatrics, community health, and college health. Katherine provides medication therapy using evidence-based practice, which include micro-dosing strategies for care tailored to individual needs.
Katherine brings a humanistic approach to her practice. She uses her background in primary care medicine as well as psychiatry to provide compassionate and client-focused care, and to meet the needs of each patient as individuals. Katherine’s clinical experience is broad and includes adult medicine, geriatrics, community health, and college health. Katherine provides medication therapy using evidence-based practice, which include micro-dosing strategies for care tailored to individual needs.
(413) 666-1412 View (413) 666-1412
Photo of Donald A Smith Adult Psychiatrist, Psychiatrist in 01002, MA
Donald A Smith Adult Psychiatrist
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Amherst, MA 01002  (Online Only)
Yes, I am accepting new patients at the present time. I am a Board Certified Psychiatrist, empathic listener, and I have 21 years of experience as a physician and 12 years in private practice. I look forward to helping you to feel better. I practice holistic and evidence supported psychiatry. I provide comprehensive psychiatric diagnostic assessment, education, and prescribe medication to treat your symptoms. Maintaining your privacy is very important to me. Because my practice is out of network, which means I do not accept insurance, I can spend more time with you.
Yes, I am accepting new patients at the present time. I am a Board Certified Psychiatrist, empathic listener, and I have 21 years of experience as a physician and 12 years in private practice. I look forward to helping you to feel better. I practice holistic and evidence supported psychiatry. I provide comprehensive psychiatric diagnostic assessment, education, and prescribe medication to treat your symptoms. Maintaining your privacy is very important to me. Because my practice is out of network, which means I do not accept insurance, I can spend more time with you.
(413) 306-4078 View (413) 306-4078
Photo of Danielle Lamagna, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in 01002, MA
Danielle Lamagna
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, PMHNP
Verified Verified
Amherst, MA 01002
Danielle brings warmth, humor, and compassion into each session, and engages whole-heartedly in providing holistic and patient-centered care. She has a “less is more” approach with medication management, believing that the bare minimum amount of medication that can provide a thriving quality of life is always ideal. She blends her knowledge of psychopharmacology with thoughtful therapeutic relationship-building to provide a trusting, informed, and judgement-free atmosphere for her patients.
Danielle brings warmth, humor, and compassion into each session, and engages whole-heartedly in providing holistic and patient-centered care. She has a “less is more” approach with medication management, believing that the bare minimum amount of medication that can provide a thriving quality of life is always ideal. She blends her knowledge of psychopharmacology with thoughtful therapeutic relationship-building to provide a trusting, informed, and judgement-free atmosphere for her patients.
(413) 384-5053 View (413) 384-5053
Bipolar Disorder Psychiatrists

What is the most successful approach to treating bipolar disorder?

Living with bipolar disorder can be challenging, and a number of therapies have been found effective in providing support to patients as they gain the skills to understand and manage the disorder. Family-focused therapy is often helpful for children and teens (the majority of cases develop before age 19); it aims to minimize mood cycling by improving family communication and reducing conflict. It also helps young people navigate the developmental challenges the disorder can create. Cognitive and behavioral therapy (CBT) and variants such as Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)help patients manage the thoughts and feelings that influence bipolar mood swings as well as develop specific behavioral strategies to counteract them.

What happens in therapy for bipolar disorder?

Because the patterns of mood switching and its triggers differ for each person and can change over time, mood tracking or monitoring becomes a basic way patients learn about the nature of their condition. One of the most common features of therapy is finding a workable method of mood monitoring, in which patients track their daily activities and rate their moods, then use the findings to adjust routines accordingly. Patients learn ways of handling the many stresses that arise in life so that they do not trigger mood swings.

What kinds of problems does therapy help with?

Like many other mental health disorders, BPD is heavily influenced by stress; therapy provides skills for coping with stressors of all kinds. Therapy is extremely important for helping individuals identify the situations that may trigger mood switching, so that mood swings can be prevented. Therapy may especially target recognition of the early stages of mood change so that they can be managed. In addition, therapy helps patients deal with the significant amount of turbulence the disorder can create in relationships and in work life.

What is the goal of therapy for bipolar disorder?

Therapy helps patients set up their lives to maintain stability so that their mood isn’t constantly threatened by daily events. Perhaps the first task of therapy is to educate people about the nature of the disorder. At the same time, a primary goal of therapy is to enhance adherence to drug treatment. Extended periods of mood stability can prompt patients to discontinue medication, triggering relapse, while the early phases of manic episodes can feel so energizing that patients stop medication, ushering in full-blown mania and the altered self-perception that can lead to destructive behaviors. Another major goal of therapy is to understand one’s mood patterns so as to minimize both the frequency and intensity of mood cycling.