As a mental health professional, I often meet people who feel like they have tried everything. They have spent years in talk therapy, exploring their childhoods and analyzing their daily stressors. They have tried various medications, dealing with side effects that range from weight gain to emotional numbness. Yet, the heavy cloud of depression or the sharp edge of anxiety remains. If this sounds familiar to you, I want you to know that you are not alone, and more importantly, you are not out of options.
I am Dr. Peyman Tashkandi, and in my practice, I specialize in looking beyond traditional methods when they fall short. Today, I want to introduce you to a rapidly evolving field that is changing lives: Interventional Psychiatry. It is a modern approach that goes beyond talk therapy and standard medication to target the root biological causes of mental health conditions.
Understanding the Limits of Traditional Care
For decades, the “gold standard” of psychiatric care involved two main pillars: psychotherapy (talk therapy) and psychopharmacology (medication). For many people, these tools are incredibly effective. Talking through problems helps organize thoughts, and medications can balance chemicals in the brain. However, for a significant number of patients, these standard treatments simply do not provide total relief.
There is a medical term for this: Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD). It can be incredibly disheartening to seek help, follow the doctor’s orders, take the pills, and still feel stuck. This isn’t a failure of will, and it isn’t a failure of character. It is often a matter of biology. Sometimes, the brain’s circuits are “stuck” in a pattern that oral medication just can’t reach effectively.
This is where Interventional Psychiatry comes in. Instead of just managing symptoms, we aim to change the way the brain functions using advanced technology and rapid-acting treatments.
What Exactly Is Interventional Psychiatry?
Interventional Psychiatry is a subspecialty that uses procedures and technologies to modulate nerve cells in the brain. Think of it as “physical therapy” for your brain’s neural pathways. When you have a weak muscle, you exercise it to make it stronger. Similarly, when certain areas of the brain involved in mood regulation are underactive, we can use specific interventions to “wake them up” and strengthen those connections.
In my experience as an Interventional Psychiatrist Beverly Hills residents rely on, I have seen that patients appreciate this approach because it is based on tangible science. We are moving away from guessing games with medication and moving toward targeted treatments that encourage neuroplasticity.
The Power of Neuroplasticity
To understand why these treatments work, we have to talk about neuroplasticity. This is the brain’s amazing ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. In conditions like severe depression or OCD, the brain’s ability to adapt slows down. The negative pathways become deep trenches that are hard to escape.
Interventional treatments are designed to jumpstart neuroplasticity. They encourage the brain to grow new synapses and repair the communication networks that regulate mood. It is about healing the organ itself, not just suppressing the symptoms.
Core Treatments in Interventional Psychiatry
You might be wondering what these “interventions” actually look like. They are not surgeries, and they are generally performed right here in the office. The two most prominent treatments I utilize are TMS and Ketamine therapy.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
TMS is one of the most exciting advancements in modern mental health. It is an FDA-cleared treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. If you have ever had an MRI, the technology is somewhat similar, but the application is different.
During a TMS session, you sit in a comfortable chair, and we place a magnetic coil against your scalp near your forehead. This coil delivers magnetic pulses that pass through the skull and stimulate the prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain that controls mood and is often underactive in people with depression.
Here is a crucial Data Point to consider: According to clinical data, approximately 50% to 60% of people with treatment-resistant depression experience a clinically meaningful response to TMS, with many achieving full remission. This is remarkable considering these are patients for whom medication has already failed.
The best part about TMS is that it is non-invasive. You are awake the whole time. You can drive yourself to and from the appointment, and there are very few side effects compared to systemic medications that affect the whole body.
Ketamine and Esketamine Therapy
Another pillar of my practice involves Ketamine. While Ketamine has been used as an anesthetic for decades, we have discovered that in lower doses, it acts as a powerful, rapid-acting antidepressant. Unlike traditional antidepressants (SSRIs) that take weeks or months to build up in your system, Ketamine works on a different neurotransmitter called glutamate.
Glutamate is the most abundant chemical messenger in the brain. Ketamine helps to rapidly grow new connections between brain cells. Many of my patients describe feeling a “lifting of the weight” within hours of their first or second treatment.
We often use Spravato (esketamine), which is a nasal spray version approved by the FDA specifically for treatment-resistant depression. It is administered in the office under supervision. It offers a new ray of hope for those who need relief quickly.
Who Should See an Interventional Psychiatrist?
Not everyone needs interventional care. If talk therapy and a low dose of Prozac are working for you, that is fantastic. However, you should consider seeing a specialist like me if:
- You have tried two or more antidepressants with little to no success.
- You experience intolerable side effects from oral medications.
- Your depression or anxiety is affecting your ability to function at work or in relationships.
- You are looking for a non-systemic option (like TMS) that doesn’t involve taking daily pills.
Consider this Data Point: The landmark STAR*D study showed that if a patient does not respond to their first two antidepressant trials, the likelihood of remission with a third medication drops to roughly 15% or less. This statistic highlights why continuing to swap one pill for another often leads to diminishing returns, and why pivoting to an interventional approach is often the smarter clinical choice.
The Benefit of Seeking Care in Beverly Hills
Location matters when it comes to your comfort and the quality of care you receive. As an Interventional Psychiatrist Beverly Hills patients visit for discretion and advanced care, I understand the unique pressures of living in a high-paced environment. My patients are often high-functioning professionals, creatives, and parents who cannot afford to be sidelined by mental health struggles.
In Beverly Hills, we have access to the absolute latest technology and protocols. The environment of my practice is designed to be soothing and private. Whether you are coming in for a 20-minute TMS session on your lunch break or a longer Ketamine observation, the goal is to make the experience as seamless and stress-free as possible.
Furthermore, searching for an “Interventional Psychiatrist Beverly Hills” ensures you are finding a provider who is at the forefront of the medical community. We stay updated on the latest research and safety protocols to ensure you are getting world-class treatment.
What to Expect on Your First Visit
I know that seeing a new doctor can be anxiety-inducing, especially when discussing mental health. I want to demystify the process for you. When you come to see me, our first step is a comprehensive evaluation.
I am not just looking at a checklist of symptoms. I want to hear your story. We will discuss your medical history, what medications you have tried, what worked, and what didn’t. We might look at lab work to rule out other physical causes for your symptoms, such as thyroid issues or vitamin deficiencies.
Once we have a full picture, we create a roadmap. If you are a candidate for TMS or Ketamine, I will explain the science in detail. I believe in empowering my patients with knowledge. You should understand exactly what is happening to your brain and why we believe a specific treatment will help.
Integrating Technology with Human Connection
It is important to clarify that Interventional Psychiatry does not mean we abandon the human element. “Beyond Talk Therapy” does not mean “Without Talk Therapy.” In fact, treatments like TMS and Ketamine often make talk therapy more effective.
When your brain is in a state of severe depression, it is rigid. It is hard to learn new coping mechanisms or change your thought patterns because the biological machinery isn’t cooperating. By using interventional methods to improve neuroplasticity, we make the brain more flexible. Suddenly, the insights you gain in therapy start to stick. You have the energy to make lifestyle changes, exercise, and socialize.
I view my role not just as a technician of the brain, but as a partner in your recovery. We monitor your progress closely, adjusting settings and dosages as needed to ensure the best possible outcome.
Safety and Efficacy
One of the most common questions I get is, “Is this safe?” The short answer is yes. These treatments are FDA-cleared and backed by years of rigorous research.
For more in-depth reading on the safety and types of brain stimulation therapies, I recommend reading this article from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). It provides excellent background on how these technologies have evolved to become standard medical practices.
With TMS, the most common side effect is mild scalp discomfort during the treatment, which usually goes away after the first few sessions. With Spravato/Ketamine, you may experience some dissociation or dizziness during the treatment, which is why we monitor you in the office until you are ready to leave. Compared to the long-term side effects of many oral medications, such as weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and insomnia, interventional treatments are often much better tolerated.
A Future Free from the Fog
We are living in a golden age of psychiatric advancement. We no longer have to accept that “some people just don’t get better.” Science has provided us with tools to reach into the brain’s circuitry and help it heal itself.
If you have been struggling for years, carrying the weight of depression or anxiety, please know that your story isn’t over. The fact that past treatments failed is not a reflection of your effort; it is simply a sign that you needed a different tool.
My goal as an Interventional Psychiatrist Beverly Hills trusts is to help you rediscover the person you were before the fog rolled in. I want to help you find your joy, your motivation, and your clarity again. There is a path forward, and it is brighter than you might think.