Helping people struggling and families struggling with mental illness
Live a normal life devoid of Crises physical and emotional and achieve personal goals of contentment / happiness and satisfaction with self and relationships social or occupational or educational.
About Mohamad Och’s
DR Och has been in the US for over 40 years. He is a board certified psychiatrist since completing his residency at Umass medical school in Worcester and has also been certified in forensic psychiatry where the medicine meets the law.
He has practiced psychiatry both inpatient and outpatient and has trained and taught other mental health professionals .He also has been involved in consulting to other professionals and held positions of leadership in mental health groups management and strategic planning.
- 1. Question: Tell us a lQ1: How are you today?
- 2. Question: Tell me about yourself?
- 3. Question: Why did you choose Worcester?
- 4. Question: What is your philosophy on patient care?
- 5. Question: How has the internet changed your practice?
- 6. Question: Can you treat patients outside Massachusetts?
- 7. Question: Do you treat international patients?
- 8. Question: Is Advanced Psych Services only in Massachusetts?
- 9. Question: Who are your clients?
- 10. Question: Why is 24/7 availability important?
- 11. Question: How does your program benefit patients who feel stuck despite ongoing treatment?
- 12. Question: What do you do for patients who have seen multiple doctors without success?
- 13. Question: Can you share an example of a successful case?
- 14. Question: What is your approach to medication?
- 15. Question: Why is timely treatment crucial for mental illnesses?
- 16. Question: How do you handle chronic or long-term cases?
- 17. Question: How do you support families of patients?
- 18. Question: Can you share a memorable patient story?
- 19. Question: Why do you believe in using advanced medications?
- 20. Question: What message do you have for families struggling with mental illness?
- 21. Question: What is your website, and how can people reach you?
- 22. Question: What happens during the evaluation call?
- 23. Question: What does it mean if someone doesn’t meet your program’s criteria?
- 24. Question: Who can join your program, and what languages do you support?
- 25. Question: What is your message to those struggling with mental illness?
Bringing hope and healing to those navigating complex mental health challenges
1. Question: Tell us a lQ1: How are you today?
Answer: I’m doing great.
2. Question: Tell me about yourself?
Answer: I am a Syrian citizen who immigrated to the U.S. after medical school and residency in Psychiatry. I’ve practiced in Worcester, Massachusetts, for over 40 years, focusing on community-based care.
3. Question: Why did you choose Worcester?
Answer: I had family in Worcester, got a residency opportunity, and became part of the community, building lifelong relationships with patients.
4. Question: What is your philosophy on patient care?
Answer: Continuity of care is essential. I’ve served multiple generations of families, emphasizing long-term relationships to ensure better outcomes.
5. Question: How has the internet changed your practice?
Answer: It has expanded access via telehealth, especially during the pandemic. We use platforms like doxy.me for virtual appointments and maintain a 24/7 availability policy for urgent needs.
6. Question: Can you treat patients outside Massachusetts?
Answer: Yes, but prescribing medications across states requires licensing in that state. Exceptions are allowed for short-term needs in nearby states.
7. Question: Do you treat international patients?
Answer: Yes, I’ve treated patients globally, including those I met during international speaking engagements and personal travels.
8. Question: Is Advanced Psych Services only in Massachusetts?
Answer: Yes, we have one location in Worcester. We’ve remained open for in-person care throughout the pandemic.
9. Question: Who are your clients?
Answer: Anyone aged 13 and older facing difficulties, ranging from grief or divorce to severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
10. Question: Why is 24/7 availability important?
Answer: It prevents unnecessary emergency room visits or hospitalizations by addressing issues immediately.
11. Question: How does your program benefit patients who feel stuck despite ongoing treatment?
Answer: My program helps patients who aren’t satisfied with their progress, even if they like their current provider. I provide feedback, suggest alternative approaches like counseling, day programs, or rehabilitation, and help navigate overwhelming resources.
12. Question: What do you do for patients who have seen multiple doctors without success?
Answer: I work with them where they are, helping them find the right approach or provider. I’ve seen cases where patients improved significantly after years of ineffective treatment, sometimes for the first time in decades.
13. Question: Can you share an example of a successful case?
Answer: A 23-year-old woman with severe bipolar disorder had multiple hospitalizations. Through tailored medication and therapy, she stabilized, became a licensed mental health counselor, a nurse, and a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and hasn’t been hospitalized since 2000.
14. Question: What is your approach to medication?
Answer: I use the most advanced medications when needed and advocate for covering costs, as these can drastically improve long-term outcomes. Early and effective treatment prevents recurring episodes, brain damage, and physical health complications.
15. Question: Why is timely treatment crucial for mental illnesses?
Answer: Each untreated episode damages the brain and increases the risk of dementia. Addressing mental illness early prevents long-term cognitive and physical decline.
16. Question: How do you handle chronic or long-term cases?
Answer: I focus on stabilizing patients and staying available for future crises, ensuring they stay on track even if setbacks occur.
17. Question: How do you support families of patients?
Answer: I involve families in care, offering education and resources. For instance, I introduced clozapine for a patient whose family felt hopeless, leading to decades of stability and improved relationships.
18. Question: Can you share a memorable patient story?
Answer: A patient with severe schizophrenia stabilized on clozapine, which I recommended early in its use. His family went from fearing for their lives to celebrating his achievements, with his mother expressing profound gratitude at his memorial years later.
19. Question: Why do you believe in using advanced medications?
Answer: Advanced medications can make a significant difference, especially when older treatments fail. They offer hope for better outcomes and long-term stability.
20. Question: What message do you have for families struggling with mental illness?
Answer: Seek help immediately. Whether new to the challenges or enduring them for years, timely, appropriate treatment is essential for recovery and improving quality of life.
21. Question: What is your website, and how can people reach you?
Answer: My website is www.coachrashid.com. Rashid is spelled R-A-C-H-I-D. Visitors can ask for more information and book a free evaluation call.
22. Question: What happens during the evaluation call?
Answer: During the call, I assess whether the individual meets the criteria for my program. If they don’t meet the criteria, it usually means their current treatment is effective, and they don’t need my services.
23. Question: What does it mean if someone doesn’t meet your program’s criteria?
Answer: Not meeting the criteria is a good thing. It means their treatment is working, and they don’t need my services. Meeting the criteria indicates areas in their current treatment that require more attention, which I can address with dedicated resources and time.
24. Question: Who can join your program, and what languages do you support?
Answer: I welcome individuals from anywhere in the world, especially within the U.S. I work with English-speaking patients and also those who speak Arabic, particularly from the Middle East and Gulf regions.
25. Question: What is your message to those struggling with mental illness?
Answer: Don’t get discouraged. Mental illness is no different from physical illness, and there are treatments available. You don’t have to accept mediocrity or limit your life. With effort and support, you can enjoy a fulfilling, normal life. I am here to help you on your journey to wellness.
