Dr. Sandhya Prashad is a board certified psychiatrist who completed her internship and residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. During that time she served as the administrative co-chief resident as well as the chief resident of the Baylor Psychiatry Clinic. She was also the recipient of the Eugen Kahn award for excellence in Psychiatry. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Texas at Austin and graduated with high honors. She then obtained her Doctorate of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in 2007.
During her residency training, Dr. Prashad obtained specialized training in treating psychiatric illnesses in pregnant and postpartum women as well as women considering pregnancy. She also pursued additional psychotherapy training from the Houston Galveston Psychoanalytic Institute. In addition, she has a special interest in treating depression and bipolar disorder, and focused on seeing these patients at the Baylor Mood Disorders Center. Dr. Prashad has a long-standing commitment to women's psychiatric needs, and continues to be involved in community awareness.
Reproductive Psychiatry
Pre-pregnancy Consultation
Women with a psychiatric history should plan in advance for pregnancy, even if they are not currently symptomatic or taking medications. The goal is for women to become pregnant when they are feeling well and able to handle the demands of pregnancy and motherhood. This allows you to develop a plan for managing psychiatric illness during pregnancy, to discuss the risks and benefits involved, discuss treatment options, and to establish close monitoring. Dr. Prashad will collaborate with you and your obstetrician to create a treatment plan.
Pregnancy Evaluations
It is important to remember that the overall mental health of an expectant mother is an important determinant of the health of the fetus and newborn. The goal of treatment is to maintain psychiatric stability while minimizing risks to the developing fetus. We will discuss the risks and benefits of treatment and medication during pregnancy and lactation, explore treatment alternatives and develop a treatment plan. If a woman has a history of postpartum symptoms, we will also incorporate a plan for prevention of relapse.
Postpartum Evaluations
Postpartum psychiatric illness has been associated with ongoing risks for recurrent illness in the future and has serious negative effects on the infant and the family. We will discuss treatment options and develop a treatment plan including the ability to utilize medications while breastfeeding. A carefully thought-out treatment plan is organized and justified by evidence-based medicine.
Consultation
If you already see a psychiatrist or therapist but you have questions specific to your current reproductive stage, Dr. Prashad provides consultations in which she collaborates with your therapist or physicians including your OB/GYN, midwife, or other appropriate specialists to create a plan of care that is tailored to you. These consultations may also involve concerned family members or partners, if you choose.
Other Reproductive Evaluations
Evaluation and support for women who have experienced a pregnancy loss, undergoing fertility treatment, difficulties with premenstrual mood disorders, and psychiatric and psychological difficulties accompanying perimenopause and menopause.
COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION
Each initial visit will consist of a comprehesive evaluation where a broad array of topics will be covered such as past psychiatric treatments, medical history, current medications, family history, substance abuse history and developmental history. This is because many factors - genetics and biology, personality, relationships and life experiences - interact to lead to the current presentation.
At the end of the evaluation, Dr. Prashad will present her assessment of the problem as well as recommendations. She will then work with you to develop a treatment plan and answer any questions or concerns.
Medication Management
Once a medication is started, monitoring will be required and adjustments may need to be made. The frequency of these visits will vary and are based on your response to the medication, side effects and severity of symptoms.
Psychotherapy
The initial goal of therapy starts with building trust so that communication can take place in a safe setting, leading to a healing partnership. Through this partnership, an environment where it is acceptable to challenge, to experience difficult emotions and to attempt new, healthier ways of living is created. Therapy is often scheduled weekly or bi-weekly on an ongoing basis.
Dr. Prashad offers individual psychodynamic psychotherapy, supportive psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and couples & family therapy.
Insurance
Dr. Prashad is considered an out of network provider for PPO insurance plans. Our office can file with your insurance company for reimbursement of a portion of your fee if you have out of network benefits. Full payment is due at the time service is rendered. If we collect out of network reimbursement from your insurance company, it will be applied as a statement credit towards a future visit. Please contact your insurance company for information regarding your out of network benefits.
Cancellation and No-Show Policy
Once your appointment is scheduled, you will be expected to pay for it unless you provide at least 24 hours advance notice of cancellation. If you do not provide at least 24 hours notice, or fail to show for a scheduled appointment, you will be responsible for the full cost of the session.
If you cancel a regularly scheduled psychotherapy appointment and we are able to reschedule your appointment during the same week, the cancellation fee will not apply.
Scheduling
Please arrive on time for your appointment. If you are a new patient, please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment to complete paperwork. If you are late, your visit will not be extended. If you have missed more than half of your appointment time (15 minutes for a follow-up appointment), the appointment will need to be rescheduled. This does not apply to therapy appointments. If you arrive late for your session, you will be seen for the remaining time of your appointment.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse
The Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston
Al-Anon
Alcoholics Anonymous
Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator
Anxiety
Practicing Relaxation Techniques
Bipolar Disorder
Depression Bipolar Supposrt Alliance
National Institute of Mental Health
National Alliance on Mental Illnesss
Depression
All About Depression
Women's Mental Health
MGH Center for Women's Mental Health
Postpartum Support International
Mental Health Association of Greater Houston
Emory Women's Mental Health Program
MotherRisk Program, Toronto Sick Children's Hospital
Postpartum Progress
OTIS, The Organization of Teratology Information Specialists
MedEdPPD
Major depression during conception and pregnancy guide
Postpartum depression guide
Depression during the transition to menopause guide
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder guide
The pregnancy and postpartum anxiety workbook
From 610 South going North
Exit Westpark Road
Take the U-turn under 610 onto the South feeder road.
The Foundation Medical tower is on your right hand side. Make a right on Lehigh and enter the garage to the right.
From 610 North going South
Exit Fournace Pl/ Bissonnett St
Take the U-turn under 610 onto the North feeder road. Take the U-turn under 610 at Westpark Drive. Foundation Medical Tower is on your right. Make a right on Lehigh and enter the garage to the right.
From Westpark Tollroad going East
Turn right on the 610 feeder road headed South.
Foundation Medical Tower is on your right. Make a right on Lehigh and enter the garage to the right.
From 59 South going North
Exit Chimney Rock
Turn right onto Chimney Rock, then make a left onto Westpark. Follow Westpark until you rach the 610 feeder road. Make a right at the 610 feeder road. Foundation Medical Tower is on your right. Make a right on Lehigh and enter the garage to the right.
From 59 North going South
Exit Newcastle
Take a left onto Newcastle and go under Hwy 59. At Westpark Drive, turn right. Turn left onto the 610 feeder after going under Hwy 610. Foundation Medical Tower is on your right. Make a right on Lehigh and enter the garage to the right.
Sandhya Prashad MD PLLC 5420 West Loop South, #2100 Bellaire, TX 77401 832.436.4055
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