MARK W. WILSON, MD
Co-Founder and Executive Medical Director,
Center for Wise Mind Living (CWML)
Mark W. Wilson, MD graduated from Duke University with a major in psychology and a certificate in neuroscience, and then completed medical school at University of California, San Francisco. He trained at Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute in the child track, which combined adult and pediatric psychiatry training over 5 years, the last year of which he was co-Chief Fellow of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship program. After completing training, Dr. WIlson co-created a clinic for consultation-liaison pediatric psychiatry at Columbia, started his private practice, and worked in the Student Health Psychiatric Service at Columbia University (2000-2004).
In 2004, Dr. Wilson completed the Master Psychopharmacology Program at the Neuroscience Education Institute. Later, he joined the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology and, after more than 10 years of membership, became a Fellow. He has special interest and experience in treating depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, ADHD, trauma, and psychotic disorders.
As a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist, he approaches the assessment and care of his clients with the depth and breadth of a systems approach, assessing the multidirectional roles of school and work, peers, romantic partners, families, parents, neuropsychological/developmental issues, and medical issues. He is active in communicating with parents and teachers, and he advocates for his patients in and outside the classroom and workplace.
Exercise (e.g., aerobic exercise, walking, weightlifting, yoga, pilates, and martial arts), nutrition, healthful eating habits, and meditation are encouraged as well. Cultural and spiritual factors are integral to one's being and, therefore, to one's assessment and treatment.
Minimizing drug and alcohol use is important for the attainment and maintenance of mental health and well-being. If Dr. Wilson feels drug and/or alcohol use is interfering with the treatment plan, he will recommend a formal consultation with a substance/alcohol use disorder specialist.
For parents of child and adolescent patients, it's important to validate the positive, transformative role they play in their child's life, while examining possible complicating roles, and to assess how well they are coping with their child's difficulties. A child or adolescent with psychiatric and/or medical difficulties can fuel parent/family stress. When important, Dr. Wilson will recommend parents consider individual or couples treatment for themselves and/or family therapy for the family.
Finally, when appropriate, Dr. Wilson will recommend individual psychotherapy, group therapy, group DBT skills training, individual/family coach services, neuropsychological evaluations, medical assessments, school consultations, support groups, or whatever else may be useful for the treatment of the patient.