(858)560-5609 EMAIL
Consultations | Second Opinions | Psychiatric Expert Witness
I evaluate emotional, behavioral, and cognitive problems resulting from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI.) I am available for second opinion TBI consultations, and I also serve as an expert witness
in TBI medical-legal cases.
Some problems resulting from TBI are anxiety, depression, impatience, irritability, anger, impulsive actions, impaired judgment, forgetfulness, impaired attention, and others. In turn, these conditions may lead to low self-esteem, guilt, embarrassment, stressful relationships, and occupational and financial problems.
Identifying the causes of and contributors to post-TBI symptoms and functional problems can be a complex challenge. I find it helpful to view Traumatic Brain Injury from a biological- psychological- social perspective. For example, one should consider the contributions of medical conditions, medications, brain injury, pain, depression, relationships, and current life stresses when evaluating and treating problems resulting from Traumatic Brain Injury.
I have consulted with TBI patients and their families in the acute hospital, acute rehabilitation hospital , post-acute rehabilitation programs, residential supported- living programs, and outpatient settings.
I consult with patients, their families, healthcare providers, case managers, life care planners, insurance companies, and brain injury rehabilitation programs. I review brain injury rehabilitation treatment plans, focusing on the appropriate use of psychotherapy, psychotropic medications, supportive services, and other brain injury rehabilitation treatments.
As an expert witness, I help to determine whether a brain injury has occurred; what factors are causing and contributing to current emotional, behavioral, and cognitive problems; and what treatments are indicated.
Viewing Traumatic Brain Injury from a Biological-Psychological-Social Perspective
I am in the private practice of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychoanalysis in the Carmel Valley, San Diego, California. I am Medical Director of Hidden Valley Ranch Rehabilitation Services, a brain injury residential supported living program in Ramona, California. I also consult with Learning Services, a brain injury residential supported living program in Escondido, California and with Paradigm Management Services, which provides solutions for complex medical management. I am a member of the Professional Advisory Council, San Diego Brain Injury Foundation.
I was formerly Medical Director of NeuroCare’s post-acute residential supported living and community-based brain injury rehabilitation programs in Ramona and San Diego, California. I have also consulted with other brain injury rehabilitation and residential programs. I was Editor, Brain Injury Medication Update email newsletter and Associate Editor, Brain Injury Update newsletter.
I was a psychiatric consultant at Sharp Memorial Hospital and Sharp Rehabilitation Center, where I focused on the psychological aspects of acute and chronic physical illness, as well as physical disabilities including traumatic brain injury, stroke, and spinal cord injury. I was also Section Head, Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Scripps Clinic San Diego.
I was selected to the Honors Program in Medical Education at Northwestern University Medical School. I am a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association; Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology; Voluntary Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry, UCSD School of Medicine; Faculty and Board member, San Diego Psychoanalytic Center, and Council member, San Diego Psychiatric Society. I was also selected by my physician peers as one of San Diego’s Physicians of Exceptional Excellence (Top Doctors.)
Dr. Gardner’s Practice Website
Office Location:
12526 High Bluff Drive, Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92130
I am available for consultation in the office, by phone, or by privacy-protected video conference.
Call 858 560 5609 to schedule.