Treatments offered by Dr. Eric R. Williams

Psychiatric Evaluation and Diagnosis

Every new patient begins with a full evaluation of about an hour. For children and teens, Dr. Williams meets with parents and with the young person separately, reviews school records and prior treatment, and uses rating scales as data rather than as the diagnosis. He ends the visit with a clear statement of what he believes the diagnosis is, what it is not, and what he recommends, or with a specific list of what he still needs to know.

Psychiatric Medication Management

Dr. Williams explains why he is recommending a medication, what it will and will not do, and how progress will be measured. He favors FDA-approved options for the patient's age, says so when a recommendation is off-label, starts low and adjusts slowly, and tracks weight, sleep, blood pressure and rating scales at each visit. He also says plainly when he thinks medication is not the right answer.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Board certified in both general and child and adolescent psychiatry, Dr. Williams sees children from age 5 through the teenage years and can continue care into adulthood without a change of psychiatrist. His career has included juvenile justice, trauma, inpatient adolescent and autism clinic settings. He treats ADHD, anxiety, depression and behavior problems, working with parents, schools and therapists as part of every plan.

ADHD Testing and Evaluation

Dr. Williams's ADHD evaluation follows the American Academy of Pediatrics guideline: parent and teacher rating scales, a developmental history, time alone with the child, school records, and a deliberate search for the conditions that mimic or accompany ADHD, including sleep, learning and anxiety disorders. He does not rely on computerized attention tests or imaging, and refers for psychoeducational or neuropsychological testing when the picture calls for it.

Psychotherapy Coordination

For most conditions Dr. Williams treats in young people, therapy is the first treatment or an equal partner to medication. He recommends the specific type with the best evidence for the diagnosis, such as cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety and depression, exposure and response prevention for OCD, and parent training in behavior management for young children with ADHD, and he coordinates with the therapist so that medication and therapy work toward the same goals.

Telepsychiatry in South Carolina

Dr. Williams has practiced telepsychiatry for years and offers video visits to patients anywhere in South Carolina, including families connected to the Goose Creek, Bluffton and Hilton Head Island offices. He prefers an in-person first evaluation for young children when practical, but finds video works well for teens, adults and follow-up visits, and it removes the drive and the missed school day. Vital signs are arranged locally when needed.