About

I am a Board-Certified, UCSF and University of Washington-trained addiction and general psychiatrist, serving the San Francisco Bay Area. I grew up in San Francisco, attending Lowell High School, followed by a degree in Biochemistry from UC Santa Cruz, graduating with highest honors. I then attended the University of Washington MD-PhD program, a top 10 medical school, receiving my MD as well as a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology. I then matched at UCSF for general psychiatry training, one of the top programs in the country, graduating in 2021, serving as chief resident of the consultation-liaison and emergency psychiatry services. I completed subspecialty training in addiction psychiatry in June 2022, also at UCSF.

With the needs of this wonderful city and Bay Area in mind, I started a private practice focusing on those with substance use disorders/addictions, and those with co-occurring mental health disorders, such as ADHD, depression, anxiety, and issues related to trauma. I have significant experience treating alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepine, cocaine, methamphetamine, and cannabis use disorders, and less conventional substances and behavioral addictions, such as gambling and internet addiction.

Services and Fees

Treatment Philosophy

As your doctor, I will strive to provide compassionate, non-judgmental, evidence-based care. I have expertise in both abstinence-based and harm reduction approaches to recovery. I take the time to fully understand the nuances of my patients’ issues and feelings, and treatment will be tailored to your goals and values. Please call or email for rates.

Initial Phone Consultation– 15 minutes, free

During this phone call, we will briefly discuss what is bringing you to treatment, and how I can best be of help. If we decide that I might be a good fit for your needs, we will go ahead and schedule a diagnostic evaluation. If we agree that your needs might be better served by someone else, I will happily refer you to one of my excellent colleagues in the Bay Area.

Diagnostic Evaluation– 60 to 90 minutes

At our first appointment, we will go over your current symptoms in detail, your past psychiatric, medical and surgical history, your family’s medical history, and your social supports and situation. At the end of this session, I will provide with the most accurate diagnosis(-es), with the understanding that these might be refined over time. Treatment recommendations might include judicious use of medications, psychotherapy, labs, imaging, collaboration with your current medical team, and referral to medical subspecialists.

Therapy and Medication Management– 50 minutes

We might decide that an approach combining psychotherapy and medications would benefit you most. I operate from primarily from a psychodynamic stance, incorporating principles of mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral, and acceptance and commitment therapy. To fully benefit from psychotherapy, patients should be seen weekly, before spacing out to biweekly and eventually monthly in the long term. If you find a psychotherapist that better suits your needs, we can discuss switching over to the medication management track, as discussed below.

Medication Management– 30 minutes

If we decide that medications are a helpful part of your care, and you already have a psychotherapist, then we will meet regularly to discuss adjustments to medications doses, further laboratory workup, and refinement of diagnoses. Patients on a controlled medication, such as buprenorphine or a stimulant, will need to be seen at least monthly.

FAQ

Do you take insurance?

At this time, I am not currently on any insurance panels as I want to practice medicine unencumbered by insurance companies’ administrative burdens. I can provide a “superbill” at the end of each session with all the necessary information for you to seek partial reimbursement by insurance.

What forms of payment do you accept?

I am only accepting payment by credit card at this time. I require that a credit card be on file prior to our first appointment.

What is the cancellation policy?

Due to the limited hours of my clinic, I require that all cancellations and requests to reschedule be made 48 business hours in advance. For example, if your appointment is scheduled for Monday at 5pm, I require notice of cancellation by the Thursday at 5pm of the week prior.

Contact

Please do not hesitate to reach out if I can be of help.

phone: (415) 843-6288

email: ericalcid@ericalcidmdphd.com