David M. Sachs, M.D.

526 Baird Road

Merion Station, PA 19066
215-913-5722
dmsachs526@gmail.com

June 2, 2017

Nabeehah Parker
Enrichment Coordinator
Masterman School
1699 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Mentor Evaluation
Dear Ms. Nabeehah,

This is a report on my Mentoring of Joana Shehu on her project to

become acquainted with the profession of Psychiatry as viewed by a
practitioner in the field. My credentials to serve in this capacity are
listed after my signature.

Because of the limited time to accomplish this assignment, I proposed

that we divide our discussion periods into three broad areas. First, I
described the physical setting needed by a psychiatrist practicing
psychotherapy and some of the basic assumptions underlying that
kind of practice. Second, I presented a disguised case of a patient
suffering from conversion hysteria so that Joana could have a view of
an actual clinical encounter. Third, I agreed to answer her questions
stimulated by our previous discussions so that I might assess how
much she understood. In addition, I arranged for her to spend some
time at the office of the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia.

In our first meetings, I described the various office arrangements

needed for individual, couple and group therapy sessions so that
privacy and confidentiality needs of the patient can be satisfied. Then,
 David M. Sachs, M.D.
526 Baird Road
Merion Station, PA 19066
215-913-5722
dmsachs526@gmail.com

I included an exception to this general policy of confidentiality when

there is a Duty to Warn an endangered person. I described the pros
and cons of some psychological theories that underlie different forms
of psychotherapy. I also mentioned the use of psychopharmacologic
drugs both as a sufficient approach and as an adjunct to
psychotherapy. This led to a discussion of how the evaluating
psychiatrist made a choice of therapy. The options included a brief
mention of the role of hospitalization for more serious illnesses.
Because an important aspect of the role of a psychiatrist is to combat
the social stigma against mental illness, this topic was included.
Finally, the various theories of psychological cure were briefly
considered so that the role of childhood in an adult mental illness
could be recognized.

In our second meeting, the case discussion provided a concrete

experience in the kind of problems a therapist must take into account
in order to help a patient recover from symptoms that compromised
her functioning.

In the question period, Joana asked for further explanations of the

topics that had been discussed indicating that she had been an
attentive listener who understood the complex issues raised by the
practice of a challenging field. I was impressed by the independent
reading she did in the field---some of which I assigned---and her
general conscientious attitude. It was not easy for her to get to the
appointments with me, but she did so without complaint. If this project
is considered equivalent to a class, I would give her an A.

I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with

this talented student.
 David M. Sachs, M.D.
526 Baird Road
Merion Station, PA 19066
215-913-5722
dmsachs526@gmail.com

Sincerely yours,

David M. Sachs, M.D.

Clinical Professor Emeritus in Child and Adult Psychiatry at
Hahnemann University.
Training and Supervisory Psychoanalyst, Psychoanalytic Center of
Philadelphia.
Past VicePresident of the International Psychoanalytic Association