Get Help From A Highly Experienced Psychiatrist
Get Help From A Highly Experienced Psychiatrist
Why Families Reach Out
A hallmark of some psychiatric conditions, such as major depression, is a lack of self-care and motivation to seek help. Other conditions, such as bipolar disorder and psychosis, are marked by a lack of insight — a genuine inability to recognize that anything is wrong at all. Many patients have simply lost hope that they will ever get better, and some are too anxious or afraid to speak with a psychiatrist.
For the patient’s family and loved ones, these harsh realities can be a major source of frustration, worry, and fear. But families often can have a more positive influence over the situation than they realize. Leveraging the support of family and loved ones may be essential and transformative.
How a Family Consultation Works
Families often struggle to convince loved ones that they need to see a doctor for evaluation and treatment of their mental health needs. In many such cases, I consult with family members to discuss the situation in depth and explore options for supporting their loved one. Later on, I might see the patient too — as long as there is transparency about my initial consultation with the family and the patient expressly chooses to pursue an evaluation with me. In other cases, I might suggest that a different clinician see the patient, while I work with the family on how best to cope with the stress of having a loved one struggling with a psychiatric disorder.
What a Family Consultation Can Accomplish
A family consultation with Dr. Brendel typically focuses on:
- Understanding what your loved one may be experiencing and why they are reluctant to seek help
- Developing effective, compassionate communication strategies to open the door to treatment
- Identifying the most appropriate clinical resources and treatment options for your loved one’s specific situation
- Building a realistic, personalized plan for supporting your loved one while also protecting your own well-being
- Addressing your own anxiety, grief, and emotional exhaustion as a concerned family member or caregiver
If you have a loved one who is suffering from a psychiatric problem but is reluctant or unwilling to seek treatment, I may be able to help. Please book a family consultation online via ZocDoc, call (617) 932-1548, or email ForPatients@DrDavidBrendel.com.
How a Family Consultation Works
Contact Dr. Brendel
Reach out by phone, email, or ZocDoc. You do not need the patient’s involvement — family members can schedule a consultation on their own.
In-Depth Consultation
A thorough conversation about your loved one’s situation, history, and your concerns. Dr. Brendel listens carefully, asks thoughtful questions, and helps you understand what may be happening.
A Personalized Plan
Leave with a clear strategy — concrete steps for communicating with your loved one, guidance on connecting them to the right care, and support for protecting your own well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions from Families
Can I contact Dr. Brendel without the patient knowing?
Yes. Family members can reach out and schedule a consultation independently, without the patient’s knowledge or involvement. The purpose of the initial consultation is to help you understand the situation and develop a thoughtful approach — not to involve the patient directly.
What if my loved one refuses to see a psychiatrist?
This is one of the most common reasons families reach out. Dr. Brendel works with families to understand why a loved one is resistant — whether it is denial, fear, stigma, or lack of insight — and to develop communication strategies specifically designed to open the door to treatment, even in the most difficult situations.
What conditions most often require family involvement?
Family consultations are most common when a loved one is struggling with severe depression (which reduces motivation to seek help), bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, substance abuse, ADHD, or anxiety disorders. These conditions often affect the patient’s ability or willingness to recognize the problem or take action.
Is what I share in a family consultation confidential?
Yes. Information shared in a family consultation is treated confidentially. If Dr. Brendel later sees the patient as a client, he will be transparent with the patient about having had a prior conversation with family members — but the specifics of what was discussed are handled with care and discretion.
Can Dr. Brendel see my loved one as a patient after the family consultation?
Yes, in many cases. If the patient later chooses to pursue an evaluation, Dr. Brendel can see them as a patient — provided there is full transparency about the prior family consultation and the patient consents to this arrangement. In other situations, Dr. Brendel may recommend a different clinician for the patient while continuing to support the family.
How do I prepare for a family consultation?
Come prepared to describe your loved one’s behavior and symptoms as specifically as you can — when you first noticed changes, what has gotten worse, any prior treatment history, and what you have already tried. There is no wrong way to prepare; Dr. Brendel will guide the conversation with thoughtful questions.
Ready to Get Help for Your Loved One?
You do not have to navigate this alone. Dr. Brendel offers family consultations from his Belmont, MA office — minutes from Boston and Cambridge. Reach out today.