Adult Psychiatric Services
The practice provides comprehensive outpatient psychiatric evaluation and treatment for adults, with expertise at the intersection of physical and mental health, including women’s mental health.
Appointments are available in person in Center City Philadelphia or virtually for patients physically located in Pennsylvania or Florida.
Specialized Psychiatric Care
Women’s Mental Health
Evidence-based psychiatric care for women navigating anxiety, mood symptoms, reproductive transitions, caregiving demands, medical complexity, and major life changes across adulthood.
Psychiatric Medication During Pregnancy & Postpartum
Thoughtful psychiatric consultation for adults who are planning pregnancy, pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, or weighing medication decisions.
Postpartum Anxiety & Depression
Evaluation and treatment planning for postpartum anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, sleep disruption, emotional overwhelm, and adjustment concerns after childbirth.
Related reading:
Pregnancy & Postpartum OCD
Careful psychiatric evaluation for intrusive thoughts, obsessive fears, compulsive checking, health anxiety, and OCD symptoms during pregnancy or postpartum.
Perimenopause & Menopause Psychiatry
Evaluation and treatment of anxiety, mood changes, sleep disruption, irritability, brain fog, and emotional changes associated with perimenopause and menopause.
Related reading: How Perimenopause Can Affect Mood, Sleep, and Anxiety
PMDD and Menstrual Cycle-Related Mood Symptoms
Evaluation and treatment planning for severe cyclical mood, anxiety, irritability, or depressive symptoms related to the menstrual cycle.
Related reading: Beyond PMS: When Premenstrual Mood Symptoms May Be PMDD
Depression and Anxiety in Women
Psychiatric care for chronic worry, racing thoughts, perfectionism, difficulty relaxing, sleep disruption, and anxiety in women who may still be functioning outwardly.
Depression Across Hormonal Transitions
Evaluation and treatment planning for depressive symptoms during pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, menopause, and other reproductive or hormonal transitions.
Complex Medical-Psychiatric Care
Psychiatric care for patients whose symptoms intersect with medical illness, hormonal change, medication complexity, chronic health concerns, or the relationship between mental and physical health.
Initial Psychiatric Evaluation
The initial evaluation includes a 60-minute appointment in person or virtually and up to 30 minutes of review of prior records, laboratory results, imaging studies, and other relevant documentation. The appointment format is determined on a case-by-case basis and confirmed before scheduling. The goal is to develop a clear understanding of symptoms, medical history, prior treatments, life circumstances, and treatment goals before recommendations are made.
Integrated Psychotherapy and Medication Management
Ongoing psychiatric care may include psychotherapy, medication management, or both. Dr. McLafferty integrates psychotherapy into psychiatric treatment rather than limiting follow-up visits to symptom review and prescription adjustment.
Psychotherapy may address patterns of thought and behavior, emotional responses, relationships, stress, coping, life transitions, and other factors affecting mental health. When medication is helpful, it is considered as one component of the broader treatment plan.
Thoughtful Medication Management
Medication can be an important component of treatment, but it is not automatically the focus of care. Decisions about medication are individualized and based on symptoms, medical history, prior treatment response, reproductive and hormonal context, risks and benefits, and patient preferences.
Pregnancy, Postpartum & Perimenopause Psychiatry
Dr. McLafferty provides psychiatric consultation and ongoing treatment for women who are planning pregnancy, pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, or navigating perimenopause and menopause. Care includes thoughtful discussion of medication options, untreated symptoms, reproductive goals, medical history, and personal values.
Multidisciplinary Care
With patient consent, Dr. McLafferty may collaborate with therapists, primary care physicians, OB/GYNs, reproductive endocrinologists, and other members of a patient’s healthcare team.