Patients should be treated with kindness and respect from the very beginning of the consultative/therapeutic relationship.  A core value is to listen closely to patients and provide empathy, and a nurturing relationship.   Establishing rapport and developing an alliance is paramount to ensure that both parties are sincerely motivated to work together to answer whatever question(s) requires analysis.  This attitude is understood by my lead executive assistant, Mr. Matthew Xiong, who strives to provide concierge-level assistance to patients, be it in person or on the phone.  Mr. Xiong is often at the phone and if a patient’s call is missed, it is promptly returned.  Depending on basic parameters, such as availability, patients are asked to first speak with Dr. Hutchinson for a free 15-minute phone consultation.  If the case appears to be a good fit for both parties, the patient is invited for a one-hour initial consultation to further explore issues in person (tele-video is also offered).  Dr. Hutchinson then creates a plan for consultation and reviews it with his patient.  If both parties agree on the plan, it is pursued after conditions are agreed upon.

Philosophically, Dr. Hutchinson respects patients and believes they should be provided with care and grace.  He also believes that before treatment is provided, a pre-treatment psychological and/or neuropsychological consultation should be performed to achieve diagnostic clarity.  Understanding the nature of the problem, its context, and other complexities are critical for an accurate conceptualization, and this is best accomplished not only by carefully listening to what is spontaneously shared in interview but also through assessment.  A consultation typically includes structured diagnostic interview, psychosocial history, possible consult with significant others (with patient’s consent), observing the patient both in interview and when tested, etc.  Also Dr. Hutchinson provides a custom life history questionnaire as well as psychological and/or neuropsychological testing, and, if available, records can be reviewed.  The analysis is reviewed with the patient by Dr. Hutchinson and a diagnostic treatment plan is formulated that meets the tailored needs of the patient.

Time and again Dr. Hutchinson has observed that patients seeking answers to their questions receive treatment without understanding diagnoses as well as their personality strengths and weaknesses.  It is Dr. Hutchinson’s firm belief that his preliminary consultative assessment helps lead to successful outcomes. 

For individual psychotherapy patients, progress should be measured both qualitatively, through their self-report, the report of others per the patient’s permission, and Dr. Hutchinson’s observations—as well as quantitatively by means of tracking results from short self-report measures that are administered before every meeting. Ultimately a chart is developed to provide a visual presentation of a patient’s progress.  Generally, Dr. Hutchinson provides short-term individual psychotherapy. A time-limited relationship can prove motivating in that both doctor and patient understand that each and every encounter is important, intended to serve as another step closer to meeting the agreed upon treatment goals.   Exceptions are sometimes made.