Consultation on Complex Cases
Consultation on Complex Cases
What a Psychiatric Consultation Involves
A key part of my practice involves providing expert consultation to other physicians and mental health professionals on challenging and complex cases. After learning about the case from the referring clinician and reviewing any relevant medical records, I meet with the patient — and often with family members — for one or two evaluation sessions. This allows me to form a diagnostic impression and recommend the most appropriate treatment approaches.
The referring clinician retains primary responsibility for the patient’s care and treatment. My role is to provide specialist guidance that can be used to refine the diagnosis and implement the most effective strategy. In many cases, I remain available over the longer term for ongoing consultation and assistance with treatment.
Conditions I Consult On
For over two decades, I have provided consultations to patients from the Boston area, across the United States, and internationally — including patients from Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. I have extensive experience consulting on the full spectrum of psychiatric conditions:
Major depression, bipolar disorder, and treatment-resistant cases
Generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, and OCD
Complex adult presentations, treatment-resistant cases, and diagnostic uncertainty
Schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and acute psychosis
Borderline personality disorder, narcissistic PD, and complex presentations
Dual-diagnosis and co-occurring psychiatric conditions
Institutional Background
In addition to private practice consultations, I served as Associate Medical Director of the Pavilion at McLean Hospital from 2003 to 2010, one of the country’s leading psychiatric hospitals. Since 2011, I have served as a psychiatrist and supervisor at Walden Behavioral Care. These roles provided deep experience working alongside multidisciplinary teams on the most complex psychiatric presentations.
To discuss a case or make a referral, please call (617) 932-1548 or email David@DrDavidBrendel.com.
How the Referral Process Works
Contact Dr. Brendel
Call or email to briefly discuss the case. Dr. Brendel will confirm whether a consultation is appropriate and help arrange the appointment directly with the patient.
Comprehensive Evaluation
Dr. Brendel meets with the patient — and typically with family members — for one or two sessions, reviewing all submitted records and clinical history in depth.
Findings & Recommendations
Receive a detailed diagnostic impression and specific treatment recommendations. Dr. Brendel remains available for follow-up questions and ongoing consultation as the case evolves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the referral process work?
The process begins with a brief phone or email conversation to discuss the case and determine whether a consultation is appropriate. Dr. Brendel then arranges an evaluation directly with the patient and provides findings back to the referring clinician.
What types of cases benefit most from a consultation?
Consultations are most valuable when there is diagnostic uncertainty, treatment resistance, complex comorbidities, or high-stakes decisions about medication or hospitalization. Cases involving multiple specialists or difficult family dynamics also benefit significantly.
Does Dr. Brendel take over as the primary clinician?
Not typically. The goal of most consultations is to provide an expert second opinion and treatment recommendations that the referring clinician can implement. Dr. Brendel may occasionally take on ongoing care if clinically appropriate and all parties agree.
Will Dr. Brendel communicate his findings back to me?
Yes. Following the evaluation, Dr. Brendel provides the referring clinician with a clinical summary, diagnostic impressions, and specific treatment recommendations. Ongoing communication is available for complex or evolving cases.
How quickly can patients be seen?
Appointment availability varies. For urgent or time-sensitive cases, please contact the office directly to discuss scheduling. Dr. Brendel makes every effort to accommodate clinically pressing situations.
Does Dr. Brendel consult on cases outside of Boston?
Yes. Dr. Brendel has provided consultations to patients and clinicians from across the United States and internationally. Telehealth evaluations are available for cases where in-person evaluation is not feasible.
Refer a Patient for Psychiatric Consultation
Dr. Brendel has provided expert psychiatric consultations for over two decades — to patients from the Boston area and across the globe. Reach out to discuss a complex case.