BC Psychiatrist

07/25/2025

Learn why getting the mental health treatment you need can be so challenging… and what you can do about it!

We don't have nearly enough access to mental health care. Primary care visits are too short. Ongoing treatment with a psychiatrist is rare. Free therapy resources are extremely limited.

The time you have with professionals isn't enough. Not enough for them to accurately diagnose you, recommend the right treatments, make sure they're provided and used well, and that you have the followup necessary.

That leads to shortcuts… and you not getting what you need. But that's where you come in.

In this five-session, small-group course, you'll explore medications, therapy, supplements, lifestyle and more—and how you can best use them. Discover what you can do to get the help you need from a range of health professionals. Covered by MSP for BC residents; requires physician or nurse practitioner referral.

Learn more at https://www.bcpsychiatrist.com/mh201

In this five-session, small-group course, Dr. Lysak will explore medications, therapy, supplements, lifestyle and more—and how you can best use them. Discover what you can do to get the help you need from a range of health professionals.

06/26/2024

Very happy to announce a new educational resource to improve your mental health and help you get better treatment!

This is an online mini-course (16 short videos, just over 90min total, plus a dozen bonus written lessons). You can go step by step, or blast through it all quickly and maybe come back to focus on specific parts. Up to you. Plus, you get all future updates.

There's a lot of "low hanging fruit" when it comes to mental health care—and too many people miss much of it. Mental Health 101 is my way of making sure this doesn't happen to you too.

There is a small one-time fee ($49). But if you sign up before end of July and use the promo code "KICKSTART" you'll get it for only $29.

You can learn more about MH101 and sign up at https://www.bcpsychiatrist.com/mh101

02/20/2024

Here's some information on a trauma group program I offer through my practice. Still accepting referrals for sessions starting this summer and fall. See https://lysak.org/trauma for referral form, etc.

02/08/2024

Look familiar?️ This is NOT what mental health care should look like. But it's reality for many. If you're one of them, what can you do? 🤷‍♀️

First, what's wrong here? Many things, including:

✖️She's not being heard. Not with short, one-off visits.
✖️She's given one option (meds), which may not be best for her.
✖️Many basics are missed. Labs. Counselling. Therapy. Skills.
✖️Even if meds were right, she's not told what to expect—so quits.
✖️She doesn't learn about other options. She's on her own for that.
✖️No continuity. If she doesn't get better, there's little follow-up. She's not connected to alternatives. Back to the start. Again, mostly on her own.

She asked for help and didn't get it. Now what can she do???

I CAN'T FIX THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM. I can't provide you with someone who has full responsibility for improving your mental health.

I CAN GIVE YOU PRACTICAL STEPS TO HELP YOU MOVE FORWARD. They may not get you everything you need, but they won't leave you stuck. Like what?

✔️Not heard? I'll show you ways to communicate better and get more out of visits, even with busy and distracted health professionals.

✔️Not the proper treatment? I'll show you how various treatments work, their pros and cons, and how to find what's right for you.

✔️Missing basics? I'll explain what you may be missing, why it's important, and how to get it. Even if you don't have lots of money, a counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, or family doctor.

✔️Not making the most of treatments? You'll learn why mental health is so complex, the common mistakes people make, what to expect, and how to make smarter use of things you try.

✔️Missing options? Everyone you see knows of only a few other resources—which may not suit you. Discover what you're missing out on and where to find it. Not everything is in short supply or costs a fortune.

✔️No continuity or follow-up? I'll show you how to keep track of your own treatment plan, avoid getting stuck or going in circles, and fill in some of the gaps the professionals are missing.

Better mental health is possible. Don't wait any longer! 📣🎉

Visit https://bcpsychiatrist.com

01/31/2024

Psychiatric medications aren't right for everyone, but for those who find them helpful, cost can be an issue.

While many mental health medications are relatively inexpensive, the costs can add up, especially with newer ones. If you don't have private extended health insurance, there are several ways you can reduce costs.

Reduces financial hardship from excess drug costs above an income-based total amount for an entire year. Only applies after reaching an annual deductible, then covers 70% of eligible costs, and then 100% above an income-based maximum.REGISTER → https://my.gov.bc.ca/ahdc or 1-800-663-7100

01/26/2024

Not getting the mental health help you need? Has anyone sat down with you, explained everything, made sure you're on the right track, and answered all your questions?

Mental Health 201 is a four-session, psychiatrist-led, small-group opportunity to fill some of the gaps in your care. And there's no charge for BC residents.

In MH201, you'll explore:
… medications (including myths, risks, and tips for success)
… therapy (types, providers, low-cost options, distress tolerance)
… supplements, other treatments (psychedelics, ketamine)
… physical health (and essential lab tests you may be missing)
… lifestyle factors (diet, exercise, sleep, substances)
… navigating the mental health system (how to get what you need)

Offered via Zoom. Participation costs covered by MSP as a group medical visit; requires referral. A deposit is needed to reserve your spot (refunded if you attend all sessions).

To learn more and sign up, see https://www.bcpsychiatrist.com/mh201

01/17/2024

What's the right choice for mental health care? Psychiatrists are medical doctors. After the standard training for any doctor, they train for five years in many different aspects of mental health. They are knowledgeable about hundreds of different mental illnesses and a wide variety of treatments for them.

01/16/2024

What's the right choice for mental health care? Mental health is part of primary care. Up to 30% of visits to family doctors and nurse practitioners involve mental health concerns. They diagnose, assess, treat, and manage the most common conditions, mainly without the involvement of other health professionals.

01/15/2024

What's the right choice for mental health care? Many psychological tools can be applied to a range of mental health problems. For those able to learn and apply them, groups can be an effective and accessible way of acquiring those skills.

01/14/2024

What's the right choice for mental health care? Psychologists are specialized professionals who provide a wide range of services—not all do clinical work. Many are trained in very complex and detailed assessments. They develop and manage treatment plans and are often experts in multiple types of psychotherapy.

01/13/2024

What's the right choice for mental health care? Counsellors help you improve and maintain your mental health and well-being by assisting you with current problems and teaching you more effective ways of managing distress.

01/12/2024

What's the right choice for mental health care? What if there actually was a “front-door” to access all mental health services? One place to go where you’re directed to the most appropriate service? That’s the idea behind a central service hub.