Mental and physical health can have very real effects on one another. Anyone who has struggled with chronic pain or migraines can probably attest to that.

Because of this, a private medical practice in Elbridge has taken a step toward treating both aspects of health in one place. Family Care Medical Group announced recently that Todd Marshall, a therapist from Skaneateles, has joined the medical team to offer collaborative care.

“It just makes sense, especially in this environment,” said Karin Kroeger, a physician and partner with Family Care, who pointed out that at least half of all medical practices is related to mental health.

The idea of collaborative care isn't necessarily a new one, Kroeger said. In facilities like hospitals, there are often counselors and other mental health specialists who are able to work with physicians.

It's not as common in private, family practices. But it can be a very effective approach in that environment, Kroeger said. For example, a physician might be seeing a teenage girl who is complaining about stomach pains or headaches. During the visit to the doctor's office, the girl might mention she has been under more stress or peer pressure at school.

Because those symptoms could have connections to stress or other psychological issues, the best course of action might be to see if the girl is interested in seeing a counselor, Kroeger said. That becomes much easier and more likely with one on-hand in the office.

“What a great way of treating that, instead of saying, ‘Here's a pill,'” she said.

Marshall said depression and anxiety tend to be the most common examples of psychological issues that can bring physical symptoms with them. Marshall's expertise in the counseling field is with couples and families, and he noted that medical conditions can also affect mental health and relationships.

“The best care, in my opinion, is to have an integrative concept,” said Marshall, whose doctoral dissertation was on couples who have a child with cancer.

During his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse, Marshall was in an environment where collaboration was common, he said. He wanted to work in a clinical environment ever since he was a child, when a heart condition meant many visits to hospitals and doctors.

But the medical field, he said, was not the best place for his talents. Marshall said he has always been able to quickly see and identify the systems and dynamics between people.

Working collaboratively with medical doctors allows him to get a taste of both worlds, he said. And it's a lot more social than running his own private practice from an office.

“If you're not a people person, it wouldn't really be that great,” Marshall said. “There's always people around. Luckily, I'm a social person.”

To Learn More:

For more information about Family Care Medical Group, call 492-1390.

Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net