Dr. Erin A. Cheers, MD

We Can Figure It Out Together

I am a board-certified psychiatrist with fellowship training in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. I welcome people of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs and I am supportive of our LGBTQ+ community. I love my job and building relationships with my patients. I seek to provide care that is collaborative with evidence-based treatment plans tailored to each individual patient. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, OCD, bipolar affective disorders, behavioral and emotional dysregulation, and pediatric/adult ADHD.

I have a special interest in treating medically complex and neurodiverse patients. My treatment plans are evidence-based and tailored to each individual’s needs. I am conservative with medications while also treating symptoms aggressively when necessary. I provide the information and guidance necessary for my patients to make informed decisions about their care and to advocate for themselves going forward. Excellent care often requires collaboration with other providers, teachers, caregivers, etc. I welcome communication with and often team up with schools, therapists, etc. to help promote the overall well-being of my patients and their families.

Especially when caring for children or adults with special needs, I routinely go above and beyond to support my patients in whatever aspects are needed. My personal and professional experience makes me an exceptionally strong and passionate ally for my patients and families.

Focus of Practice

My practice is primarily focused on diagnostic evaluation and the initiation and management of psychotropic medications. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar affective disorders, thought disorders, and PTSD. I have expertise in diagnosing and treating ADHD in both children and adults. I strive to provide excellent evidence-based care while tailoring treatment to each individual’s needs. I am conservative with medications while also treating symptoms aggressively when necessary.

Collaborative and Empowering Approach to Care

I truly love my job and I am passionate about building relationships with my patients and their families. My philosophy as a psychiatrist and a medical doctor is centered around collaboration with and really listening to my patients. Through these dynamics, along with my medical training and experience, I will complete a thorough diagnostic assessment, discuss treatment goals, provide psychoeducation about treatment options, and form a treatment plan with each of my patients and families. I believe strongly in providing just the right amount of guidance and psychoeducation such that my patients feel knowledgeable, involved with and very well-supported in the treatment plans. I really do approach every single one of my patients’ treatment as if I were treating one of my own family members or children.

Making Confident and Well-informed Decisions

I encourage patients and families to ask me questions, educate themselves, and put my skills to the test! I work to treat symptoms while empowering my patients and families with the knowledge to advocate for themselves going forward. I deeply respect patients and families who may be hesitant about starting or changing medication. I always encourage my patients and families to take their time, learn about treatment options, and have all concerns addressed before making any decisions.

Medications Managed with Care

Often when seeking initial contact with a psychiatrist, patients or families are suffering with acute and impairing symptoms (such as panic, insomnia, social avoidance or school avoidance, emotional or physical dysregulation, etc.). I often approach acute suffering more aggressively at the start of treatment if my patients and families agree it is appropriate. I sincerely believe in the medicines I prescribe, and I work to alleviate suffering both in the present moment and more long-term. My goal is for my patients to ultimately take the least number of medications, at the lowest doses necessary, to achieve and maintain optimal results – all while feeling comfortable and informed about the treatment. I diligently track the utility of my patients’ medications over time, adjust doses when indicated, and discontinue medications when they are no longer necessary.

Medication Managed by Primary Care when Stable

One we achieve optimal symptom treatment and we have not changed any medications for some time, I encourage families to transfer management of medications to their primary care clinics. This will minimize the number of doctors involved in your care and allows you to avoid paying out-of-pocket fees at my clinic. You are then very welcome to return to my clinic as a follow-up patient should symptoms worsen or change in the future. As a specialist, you likely will not require my level of expertise once your symptoms and medications are stable, and I am available to you for follow-up any time you feel it's needed. It is highly unlikely a new diagnostic evaluation would be necessary, so you will not have to "reestablish care" and I will work to see you as soon as possible.

Connections within the Community

I offer only limited psychotherapy as I focus my practice primarily on diagnostics, evaluation and medication management. Most often, however, the gold-standard treatment for mental health disorders also calls for participation in psychotherapy. Evidence clearly supports the combination of psychotherapy with psychiatric medications (when appropriate) as the most effective and efficient way to treat many mental health symptoms. Over the course of my career, I have been privileged to work with many excellent behavioral therapists in the area. I am always happy to provide recommendations for therapists and other behavioral health programs in the community when needed.

Patients with Complex Medical Presentations and Special Needs

I have a special passion for medically complex patients who also suffer with mental health symptoms. As the mother of three children, one of whom is medically complex and has special needs, I have personal experience with many obstacles families may be facing. I welcome patients with global developmental delays, intellectual and physical differences and medically complex children and adults with mental health concerns. I have experience working with all ages and I am comfortable discussing and treating mental health symptoms within the context of comorbid illnesses. In addition to my personal experiences, I have treated many patients with comorbidities such as Ehlers Danlos, Multiple Sclerosis, Post-Concussive Syndrome, Traumatic Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down Syndrome, Crohn’s Disease, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and many more.

I know excellent care often requires collaboration with other providers, teachers, caregivers, etc. When appropriate, I encourage communication with my patients’ care teams to ensure the best possible outcomes. I often work with schools, therapists, therapeutic programs and other integral parts of a patient’s life to help promote the overall well-being of my patients and their families. Especially when caring for children or adults with special needs, I routinely go above and beyond to support my patients in whatever aspects are needed. I am well-versed in the IEP and 504 plan processes and very familiar with other opportunities and programs inherent to special needs (Katie Beckett, Long Term Childcare Waiver, community resources, etc.). My personal and professional experience makes me an exceptionally strong and passionate ally in advocating for my patients and their families.