I’ve been a lifelong gamer with a particular love for real-time strategy and RPGs. I enjoy Crusader Kings 3, which I believe depicts mental health in an excellent way, the Total War series, and Age of Empires 2. In terms of RPGs, I love the Elder Scrolls series, especially Morrowind, as well as Kotor and the MMORPGs Old School RuneScape and Sea of Thieves. I primarily play on both PC and Xbox, but dabble in PlayStation depending on the title.
I also enjoy horror games, and the Silent Hill series was part of the inspiration for this consulting project, particularly Silent Hill 2, which blew me away with its depiction of trauma, dissociative States, and the effective usage of Freudian imagery.
GoT SPOILER WARNING: My consulting work is also shaped by media outside of gaming. I was a Game of Thrones fan, but the depiction of Danny’s decline in mental health in the later seasons was done so poorly. This led me to create a Reddit post analyzing the Targaryen familial mental illness, which was another inspiration for Psyched Up Media. I also enjoy Adult Swim cartoons, animated media in general, various YouTubers in the gaming realm, and history.
Regarding my credentials, I hold a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Penn State University, a medical doctorate (MD) from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, a top 25 medical school, and completed my psychiatric residency at the Western Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, a top 10 program. I am board certified in psychiatry and fully licensed in the states of Pennsylvania and New York. I currently practice as an outpatient psychiatrist in the Pittsburgh area and have recently been elected Chapter Councilor for the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society, a district branch of the American Psychiatric Association (APA). I enjoy helping others with their mental health while continuing my lifelong journey of learning.
My training as both a mental health care professional and a medical doctor provides a unique depth of perspective on the depiction and interpretation of mental illness and its connection to physical health, and I would welcome the opportunity to offer this breadth of knowledge and expertise.
As both a physician and media enthusiast, I bring clinical knowledge and cultural awareness to every project. My goal is to help creators avoid harmful stereotypes, reduce stigma, and tell stories that resonate with their audience.