J Richard Gallagher MD

Dr Gallagher has always been thoughtful.

Is a great doctor. My previous doctor seemed like he just couldn't be bothered to take an interest in me and my situation. The difference between him and Dr Gallagher couldn't be more different.

I am a nurse and recognize that a physician bills for reviewing a patients daily progress in the hospital, not necessarily having an actual counseling session with the patient. I sought therapy for recurrent depression episodes that were interfering with my quality of life. I had been using psychotherapy and while that is helpful, did not give me sufficient relief to perform my daily living tasks of working, parenting and managing my own life tasks. He has been caring for me for over 20 years and has always worked with me in finding which antidepressant worked best, titrating my dosage so I can sleep at night but am not zonked out or edgy. What I find significant is that just like a therapist, a psychiatrist can only work with a patient to the extent the patient is willing to be involved in their own care. I recognize that a patient who cannot wait for the next morning for the doctor to call back may be unstable enough to need to go to the ER.
Dr Gallagher has very good diagnostic skills. When my college age child was exhibiting bizarre behavior and I felt she was having PTSD from an attack she had experienced he had me ask her if she had recently used Street drugs. She responded that she had (probably honest because she was high)! This saved a trip to the ER. My child was highly functional, I would not have suspected that. I give a strong endorsement if you want to help yourself be well. A doctor is not a parent, he is a partner in care. Just as a family practice physician in private practice does not take patient calls after hours, a private practice psychiatrist does not either. If you show up in the ER, trust me that he is talking to the ER doctor to co-plan your care.