Board Certified Psychiatrist and Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Sonny Joseph MD, PH.D, M.P.H.

Dr. Joseph specializes in the diagnosis and management of complex psychiatric problems including complex depression, mood changes, anxiety, ADHD, insomnia, panic attacks, PTSD, OCD, compulsive gambling, compulsive overeating, alcohol abuse, Trans issues, irritability, post-partum depression/psychosis, depression during pregnancy, perimenopausal depression, PMDD using non-addictive sustainable medications and supplements that prevent addiction, dependence, tolerance, resistance and cross-addiction. Dr. Joseph has a unique and rare combination of credentials: he is one of the few doctors in the world with dual specializations in the related yet distinct fields of Psychiatry (MD), and Clinical psychology (PhD), giving him a thorough and solid foundation. In addition, he has a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) degree from Harvard and MIT (50% credits at each) focusing on preventive medicine. He published 2 textbooks in psychiatry detailing complex medication management of psychiatric disorders intended for professionals like psychiatrists, family doctors, nurse practitioners and mental health professionals, published by Routledge Press, London/New York, listed below..

About the Doctor

Services Provided

Specialize in using non-addictive sustainable medication management of complex child/adult psychiatric disorders including:

  • chronic insomnia

  • ADHD and Bipolar

  • Telemedicine for out-of-town patients

  • 2nd opinion consultations

  • ADHD evaluation & management, and special accommodation/FMLA paperwork for children and adults

  • psychiatric monitoring and clearance for plastic procedures

  • trans hormonal therapy

  • psychiatric disability-based FMLA/medical leave/jury duty exemption/emotional support animal paperwork

  • Social Security Disability support and paperwork for psychiatric illness

  • discounted fees for out-of-network insurance or uninsured patients nearly matching the covered fees

  • emergency appointments

    Due to the complimentary and synergistic benefits of combining psychotherapy with medications, therapy is strongly recommended to maximize the benefits to the patients. Therapy referrals are made to independent therapists.

Despite being qualified in therapy, I do not offer therapy but limit my practice to psychopharmacology, preferring co-management with a therapist, thereby providing the optimal benefit to the patient as well as mitigating therapist liability especially difficult therapy cases dealing with ominous symptoms like hopelessness, guilt feelings, paranoia or suicidal ideation especially in the context of BPD, NPD, complex depression and bipolar. Since I have a solo practice with no therapists in my office, patients are encouraged and given a referral to see therapists in the community.

Co-Management of Complex Cases with the Therapist

Appointments

Emergency Appointments

If the referring doctor or therapist feels the patient needs to be evaluated urgently, every effort is made to “work-in” those patients within several days.

Tele-health Appointments

I offer patients the option of both in-person, or telehealth appointments. However, since psychiatry is well suited for telehealth services, out-of-town patients should find it convenient and expedient to take advantage of the telehealth offering.

Education

  • BA in psychology from Union Christian College

  • MA in clinical-counseling psychology from the University of Kerala, India

  • MPH from Harvard and MIT, Boston; MD from the University of Juarez, Mexico

  • PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Ottawa, Canada

Clinical Training:

  • Psychiatry Clerkship at Massachusetts General Hospital, a major teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School

  • Psychiatry Residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia

  • Clinical psychology Residency (2 years) at Royal Ottawa Hospital, a major psychiatric teaching hospital of the University of Ottawa school of Medicine

Clinical Experience:

  • 37 years at the same location in Orlando, Florida as a psychiatrist

  • 4 years as a licensed clinical psychologist (former psychologist licenses in New York, Ohio, Florida and Alaska)

  • One of the busiest inpatient attending psychiatrists at Florida Hospital (now Advent Health)

  • Orlando Health from 1990 to 1997

  • Full-time outpatient psychiatry from 1990 to present.

“Symptom-Focused Psychiatric Drug Therapy”; Routledge Press, London/New York, 510 pages, reprinted in 2019: detailed practical medication strategies with specific dosing and combination guidelines to treat various psychiatric disorders, including 100 case studies spanning simple to complex cases illustrating the practical applications of the medication strategies described in the main text.

Major Publications

“Personality disorders: New Symptom-Focused Drug Therapy”; Routledge Press, London/New York, 274 pages, reprinted in 2019: detailed medication approaches to treat personality disorders, one of the few books tackling this emerging field in psychiatry because there is a misperception that personality disorders do not respond to pharmacologic intervention. 50 case studies detail the practical application of medication management of various personality disorders.

Excerpts from book reviews by distinguished psychiatrists: “This book, written by a gifted and active clinical psychiatrist with expertise in psychopharmacology, provides busy, medically oriented psychiatrists with an up-to-date view of how to use the whole array of psychotropic medications….” by Andrew Brotman, M.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School.

“…. a book that emphasizes appropriate and practical medication strategies targeting specific symptoms of patients with severe personality disorders is long overdue. This book offers the clinician the hope that disabling symptoms can be controlled my medications so that psychotherapeutic approaches can be more effective and efficient….” By steven Sharfstein, M.D., President, Medical Director and CEO, Sheppard Pratt Health Systems, Baltimore, Maryland.

“Dr. Joseph, a gifted practicing psychiatrist, expert psychopharmacologist and clinical psychologist, has written a book on the practical, most up-to-date therapeutic approaches on medication treatment for psychiatric ills…. The book describes the intelligent use of multiple medication combinations to achieve rapid symptom resolution safely and efficiently….” By Michael Gutman, M.D., Past President, Florida Psychiatric Society.

Published a 9-page article on the problems of soccer (known internationally as Football) such as too many fouls, too few goals, excessive physical contact, too many bad calls by the referee, fan violence, player antics and cheating, etc., and their solutions, titled “A Dynamic and Psychosocial Analysis of soccer: Problems and Solutions” by the American Journal of Applied Psychology, 2014. Anyone that likes soccer should find the article interesting and thought- provoking. A major solution to improve the honesty in the game recommended in the article in 2014 was the introduction of video review, finally implemented in 2020. The article may be accessed and printed (free) by activating the QR code below:

General Publications

A 5-minute non-monetized educational YouTube video titled “What’s Wrong with Soccer?” on the problems of soccer in the context of publicizing the soccer article was published in 2015. Video Below;

Video can also be accessed through QR code

Awards and Recognition

  • Outstanding psychiatrist by Novartis for Clozapine management of complex patients;

  • frequently selected as “Best Psychiatrist” by various magazines.

  • Overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic patient reviews on various on-line doctor-rating websites too numerous to mention.

  • Recognition by Advent Health for precepting their 3rd year Family Medicine residents in outpatient psychiatry in my clinic during their final year of residency.

  • Mentored many aspiring medical students by providing shadowing opportunities in outpatient psychiatry in my clinic and providing letters of recommendation for admission to medical schools.