Practice Philosophy:
Dr. Dougherty is a board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who applies a thoughtful, methodical approach to the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of behavioral health conditions. Energetic and personable, he connects easily with young children and teens, and is appreciated by parents for the insights he provides so that they can interact and communicate with their child more effectively. He offers practical solutions and tangible interventions to the behavioral challenges that are often frustrating and overwhelming for children and their families. Parents are an integral part of treatment, and he values parental input to understand the internal world of children and adolescents more fully. He incorporates art, play, creative story boards, and compassionate listening to help children open up and express themselves. Treatment is goal oriented, offering the child and family a sense of hope moving forward.
Areas of Expertise:
Dr. Dougherty specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of child and adolescent mood and anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive compulsive disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. He recognizes that medication management, if appropriate, is a small part of greater holistic approach to optimizing a child’s social and emotional development and well-being. Psychopharmacology remains one of his greatest strengths. He frequently supplements medication management with supportive psychotherapy, incorporating Cognitive Behavior Therapy principles when indicated. Collaboration with parents, educators, therapists, and other providers is a key factor in treatment. Dr. Dougherty is a talented physician, academician, educator, and mentor, who has embraced the role of teacher throughout his medical career.
Experience and Training:
Dr. Dougherty attended medical school at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD, followed by psychiatry residency and fellowship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. As Program Director of the Department of Defense’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center he trained scores of fellows to become child psychiatrists and developed a unique curriculum focused on optimizing medication management options when treating a variety of pediatric disorders. He has served in outpatient and inpatient settings throughout his career. He is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. His leadership experiences as clinic director, medical director, training director, and chief of behavioral health services for seven overseas military communities serving 40,000 soldiers and family members have contributed to a well-informed practice. Dr. Dougherty is licensed to practice in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
