Choosing the Right Psychiatrist in Plano, Texas

An exiting psychiatrist should make every effort to help patients transition to a new provider, but that doesn't always happen. At times patients are left to make this difficult decision on their own. And let's be honest, in certain cases the patient chooses to leave their current provider for personal or professional reasons. This decision doesn't equate to failure, there are many reasons for patients and psychiatrists to part ways:

• You may have a personality clash with your psychiatrist that can't be overcome
• Having tried all the treatments familiar to them, your psychiatrist may suggest that you seek the assistance of a specialist with experience in your area of need
• If you're new to Plano your former psychiatrist may be unfamiliar with the local doctors and thus unable to provide a confident recommendation
• It may be time for you to make the transition from psychologist or therapist to psychiatrist so you can begin a course of medication

Starting over with a new psychiatrist is difficult. You have to reestablish repore, comfort and most importantly trust. Though it is a daunting task, it is also vitally important. Never abandon your treatment goals in the face of a difficult new beginning. You deserve the best mental healthcare available. Contact Dr. Tucker to schedule a consultation as soon as possible. Hopefully your first psychiatry stop in Plano will be your last.

And Why Doctor Tucker?
Dr. Tucker has a reputation for making patients feel comfortable through a combination of competence and compassion. After only a few visits you'll feel like you've known him all along. And he is familiar with helping patients with the transition between providers. Here is a review from a happy patient posted on vitals.com:

“I first saw Dr. Tucker after Dr. Clements abruptly & mysteriously quit practicing at the Clements Clinic in Plano. It was a hectic time for Dr. Tucker; however, he was professional and thorough. He ordered blood work which Dr. Clements had never done. He followed up with me soon after he received the results. He is very knowledgeable in the area of HRT and how that affects women as we age. I found his bedside manner superb. He was professional and thorough and the regimen he prescribed is working well thus far. I highly recommend him.”

Mental Health Therapist or Psychiatrist?

In non-acute cases it can be difficult to determine whether a psychiatrist or mental health therapist is the best option for treatment. It is important to understand the differences between these unique providers. A therapist observes, listens and aids patients in creating and implementing a treatment plan. If insurance/cost is an issue a therapist may be a less expensive route than seeing a psychiatrist.

A psychiatrist can provide the same services as a therapist, plus with extensive mental health training and a degree in medicine they can interpret imaging and blood work as well as prescribe medication. For patients with advanced needs seeing a psychiatrist is imperative.

If you are seeking help and unsure which route to go you should schedule an initial consultation to lay out your options.

Why Texas Psychiatry Associations Matter

Psychiatrists are often associated with professional organizations such as the Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians. This decision is not about padding resumes, its about supplementing education. State licensing and board certification are of course the foundation of a successful practice, but in order to maintain the highest professional standards it is important for your local psychiatrist to interact with peers and stay abreast of industry developments.

Here are a few of TSPP's stated objectives:

• Promote the best interests of patients and of those with a future need for mental health services.
• Advance the standards of psychiatric services and facilities statewide
• Promote cooperation amongst all parties focused on medical, psychological, social and legal aspects of mental health and illness
• Make psychiatric information available to other medical professionals, scientists and the public

Associations have your best interests in mind. And so will any psychiatrist worth consulting. Dr. Tucker is committed to keeping his skills finely honed. Click here to learn just how he goes about it.

Women's Group: A Place for Support and Clarity

If you feel like every day is a struggle you have a lot of company. The challenges facing women in the 21st century are many and varied. Our women's group provides a supportive, safe environment for you to connect with women in similar situations and to speak openly about the challenges you're currently facing.

There is medicine in the support of strangers. Strangers are blank, while traditional channels of support can be fraught with obstacles.

Ourselves: Self-reliance is a wonderful strength, but when taken too far it can be damaging. By turning inward (and only inward) we deny ourselves access to the advice of others who have dealt with similar struggles. This level of isolation leads people to believe that they are alone in the world, that their problems are unique. Part of being successfully self-reliant is knowing the boundaries of that reliance.  

Friends: The advice of a trusted friend is one of the great comforts in life, but there is only so many times you can go to that well before you start to feel like you are harping on the same subject over and over. Venting for the sake of venting can be wonderful too. And your friend may be more than willing to listen whenever you need that. But, do you want to put that kind of consistent support pressure on your friend? Having a separate support group allows you to vent and consider advice without overtaxing your more important friendships.

Family: This is a difficult group to discuss and a widely varied one. Some people have supportive and loving families, many do not. And often family (spouses, children, in-laws) are wrapped up in the causes of stress and struggle, making sensitivity a bridgeless divide.

Don't feel trapped by the obstacles of self, friends and family. Rely on all of those channels if you can, but branch out as well. Lean on the support of a women's group to let your voice be heard unfiltered. Gain clarity in the embrace of like minded women.

Child Psychiatry Can Help in Cases of Severe Bullying

Schools aim to be a safe haven for learning and personal growth. Teachers and school administrators actively work to manage student behavior and to promote positive interaction. Despite all their hard work bullying still happens, bullying has always happened. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) in upwards of fifty percent of kids are bullied and one in ten suffers from repeat bullying. Child Psychiatry isn't the answer for all instances of bullying. However, in extreme cases the AACAP does suggest consulting a specialist in child psychiatry. Professional assistance may lessen the risk of long-term emotional consequences.  

What you can expect from a child psychiatrist:

• Empower your child by helping them develop coping strategies
• Assist parents in identifying signs of emotional distress
• Help coordinate anti-bullying plans with school officials

Often bullying can be dealt with through parental support, but if it gets bad don't be afraid to seek help.

Teen Counseling in Plano, Texas

According to the elder generation (any elder generation dating back to the days of yore) the youth today are a bunch of lazy, good for nothing... You fill in the rest. Common complaints today include an over developed sense of entitlement, attention span issues and substance abuse.

The truth is teens today are under incredible pressure to succeed both academically and athletically. Not to mention the age old need to conform socially. If your teen is struggling and can't find an effective way to connect you may want to explore an innovative and effective alternative. One that involves leaning on others so that your son or daughter can move forward. Give your teen the chance to connect with a new peer group, one that focuses on discussing topics relevant to their current struggles.

Our Plano counseling group offers a facilitated discussion environment that takes on the realities of today's teens. Speaking and hearing the truth in a supportive environment leads to responsibility and individuality. Let us help your teen discover how to live the life they deserve.

The Effects of Sports Related Head Injuries

Sports related traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are more prevalent than you may think. Nearly 300,000 professional and amateur athletes are effected every year in the United States alone. Football, hockey and boxing are the biggest culprits but head injuries are also very common in cycling, baseball, basketball and skateboarding. Sadly many sports related TBIs lead to permanent brain damage.

Athletes who have suffered traumatic brain injury require immediate medical attention and if the damage is severe enough permanent care. The financial hardships caused by these types of injuries can be extremly challenging to the athlete's family.

Hidden Dangers for Young Athletes
Severe and even moderate brain injuries are typically easy to diagnose/identify, however, less severe injuries can easily go undetected. These types of injuries are usually categorized as closed head injuries rather than open head injuries (indicating the skull has been penetrated). Damage from these types of injuries is not visibly apparent nor can it be detected on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans. Thankfully, it can be detected using SPECT brain studies. Parents should be cautious with young athletes, many of whom hide their symptoms in order to continue playing. When this happens players do not reach full recovery and can experience devastating damage as a result. Failure to detect and properly treat TBI is especially harmful to young athletes because they do not have fully developed brain tissue. Injuries suffered at this stage can cause life-long issues, not to mention the almost immediate impact on mood, relationships and school performance.

The Inside Scoop on Failure to Launch

Dr. Tucker is thrilled to announce that he has contributed to Dr. Michael D. Devine's new book Failure to Launch, Guiding Clinicians to Successfully Motivate the Long-Dependant available for purchase in June 2013.

Failure to Launch is aimed at helping clinicians work with dependant adult children. From the top the book attempts to define the issue of failure to launch and to identify the underlying causes, narcissism, entitlement and enabling family systems. The book lays out a clear treatment plan to help clinicians bring about positive change in their clients. Failure to Launch comes with case studies, sample chapters and current research to supplement the theoretical basis for the treatments it lays out.

Pre-order a copy on Amazon.

SPECT: Illuminating Brain Activity

SPECT or Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography is a process to measure blood flow in the brain providing medical professionals with an important diagnostic tool. As with most cutting-edge technology, SPECT sounds like a page ripped from a sci-fi novel. Here is how it works:

SPECT utilizes a radiopharmaceutical to create accurate images of brain function by pinpointing blood flow patterns throughout the brain. This is accomplished by injecting a minuscule amount of a radioactively tagged compound (Ceretec) that is taken up by the brain. Once in play the Ceretec emits energy for several hours. Cameras in the SPECT scanner rotate around the patients head detecting energy in the form of light. The most active brain cells emit the most energy and visa versa.


The science is impressive. However, it is important to understand that SPECT is a tool not an answer. Clinics all over the country are using SPECT studies to aid in the treatment of common psychiatric illnesses. But, it would be a mistake to believe that a SPECT study alone can confirm diagnosis. It can't.

A psychiatic/medical diagnosis regarding a specific condition is made via a combination of clinical history, a physical examination, family consultations and thorough lab work. SPECT scans can be invaluable when diagnosing certain types of dementia, head trauma and attention deficit disorder. But, it is never an end all. It is a plug-in element to help trained medical professionals make accurate decisions and appropriate treatment suggestions.

When discussing SPECT scan results with my clients I am clear in my belief that it is imperative to treat the person not the scan. Recent scientific advancements in the field are astounding. But, take away the science, take a way the theory and effective treatment is ultimately about helping patients live up to their full potential. Recognizing that potential is the stuff of humanity not the stuff of sci-fi.