A psychiatrist is different from all of the other mental health professionals in one respect. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor. A psychiatrist first completes four years of college taking certain required basic science courses. The psychiatrist then goes four more years to medical school to become a regular physician. After getting an M.D. (or D.O.) degree, a psychiatrist completes a psychiatric residency of at least three years. This residency program involves extensive supervised clinical psychiatric experiences in a number of settings, as well as training in mental and neurological illness. A psychiatrist is trained to diagnose neuro-psychological disorders and dysfunctions as well as major mental illness and character disorders. The medical training allows the psychiatrist to view the emotional and mental problems of the patient from a broad biological, psychological, sociological, developmental perspective that includes both the body and the mind. A psychiatrist is trained to consider all of the physical illnesses that may show up as mental symptoms.  Psychiatrists can make diagnoses and prescribe medication and do psychotherapy.

 Dr. Duffey  believes that illness occurs at a number of different levels. These levels include the electro-magnetic level, molecular level, cellular level ,body  organ level, multi-organ level ,bio-mechanical level, psychological level,  social level, and spiritual level.  Healing may require intervention in a number of ways. He is pleased to be located in the Synergy Center with others who recognize the complexity of illness and are also devoted to helping others in achieving health.

If you will go to his website, www.courageexpandslife.com, you will find more about his practice. This site also includes links to other therapists in the Cumming area, links to websites that do interactive cognitive behavioral therapy, links to diagnostic instruments, an extensive reading list of self-help books that have proven useful to his patients, education about the qualifications of various mental health professionals, and words of encouragement.