Education and Treatment
Ricardo B
Ricardo Bernal MD completes a Clinical Interview and usually can give patients a preliminary
impression regarding the needs for treatment, at that point.
However, it is not unusual that further information or additional assessments from other specialties may be required for a more comprehensive therapeutic plan to be established.
A Psychiatrist is a Medical Doctor with a Specialty in Psychiatry. Therefore. he is a Physician that most usually assesses medical causes or mental disorders. prescribes medication to address symptoms that would typically respond to such approach. and monitors its physical side effects.
A Psychologist may have a "Psy. D." designation which means that graduates received a Doctorate or Psychology upon graduating. while "Ph.D." graduates receive a Doctorate of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology. On one hand. Psy.D. programs tend to emphasize the practitioner-scholar model. while on the other hand. Ph.D. programs tend to emphasize the scientist-practitioner model. However the most important difference between the two degrees is that the Ph.D. program focuses more on research. whereas the Psy.D. focuses more on clinical training.
A Counselor is an individual that has completed training and has expertise in providing orientation in regard to individuals and their relationships. such as a Licensed Mental I Iealth Counselor (LMI IC). a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCS\V
Ricardo Bernal M.D.
Welcome to my office!!
I am a Board-Certified Psychiatrist who also holds Board Certification in Child Adolescent Psychiatry. What that means is that I have gone through 5 years of Medical Doctor Training and 5 years of Specialty Training to gain knowledge and experience in the intricacies of child, adolescent and adult mental health. Such training is further recognized by the American Board of Psychiatry by taking tests and by showing proficiency in patient interviewing and case formulation; such recognition is what constitutes "Board Certification".
Dr. Bernal fulfilled training requirements in Psychiatry with Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center in New York. He completed Sub-Specialty Training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry with Texas A & M University at Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas.