Brain health is mental health.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors that have a deep understanding of both mental and physical health, as well as how they affect one another. Your psychiatrist will work with you to optimize your mental health from a biological perspective, focusing on what goes on in your brain and how that affects your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
All our psychiatrists are experts in the biological foundations and treatment of a wide range of mental health disorders, including GAD, OCD, PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, and ADHD.
Evelyn Noriko Nelson, M.D.
Washington State Department of Health License Number: MD61138404
Dr. Nelson is the Medical Director of Seattle Anxiety Specialists, PLLC.
Prior to joining our practice, Dr. Nelson earned her medical degree at University of California, San Diego and completed her Psychiatry residency at University of California, Los Angeles, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. She earned distinction as the chief resident for their interpersonal therapy clinic and also served as the lead organizer for residency recruitment.
In addition to her years of clinical experience, Dr. Nelson also has considerable research experience. She has been published in the American Journal of Psychiatry and worked on numerous research projects sponsored by Stanford University, the National Institutes of Health, and University of California, San Diego.
Before completing medical school, Dr. Nelson earned highest honors in religious studies at University of California, Berkeley with a concentration in Buddhism.
Works with patients 18 years of age and older.
Peter David Reiss, M.D.
Washington State Department of Health License Number: MD60930116
Dr. Reiss has years of experience providing comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and psychiatric medication management to patients. His professional experience includes various multidisciplinary mental health settings, as well as supervising medical students and psychiatric residents. He has worked in multiple levels of care in the Seattle area, including inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization and residential treatment programs, consultation-liaison psychiatry, as well as in the psychiatric emergency room.
After finishing medical school, Dr. Reiss worked on mental health research through the UK’s National Health Service and at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience at King’s College London.
Dr. Reiss completed his psychiatric residency at the New York State Office of Mental Health in New York City, working in a variety of settings including at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center and Columbia University Medical Center. He was involved in multiple scholarly projects, including developing diagnostic tools for prodromal psychosis and early intervention for people at risk of developing psychotic disorders. He won his program’s Resident of the Year Award and also served as chief resident.
Works with patients 18 years of age and older.
Elizabeth Richards Hersey, M.D.
Washington State Department of Health License Number: MD61312467
Dr. Hersey earned her medical degree and completed her psychiatric residency at the University of Washington, where she earned distinction as Outstanding Chief Resident, served as a member of the Department of Psychiatry’s Residency Admissions Committee, and was Co-Leader of the Perinatal Psychiatry Pathway.
She has collaborated with leaders in Women’s Mental Health across the University of Washington and various other institutions nationwide to provide lectures and panels on topics of Reproductive, Perinatal and Women’s Mental Health. She has authored publications and a book chapter on topics including integrated women’s mental health care, infertility and the role of doulas in perinatal mental health care.
In addition to her years of clinical experience, Dr. Hersey also has considerable research experience. She has worked on numerous research projects sponsored by Harvard University, the National Institutes of Health, and the University of Washington.
Dr. Hersey has a wide range of other professional and personal interests. She played varsity soccer during college and has since volunteered as an assistant soccer coach. She has volunteered at local schools and for local scout troops. She is also passionate about photography and owns a local photography studio with her husband.
Works with patients 18 years of age and older.