Description
About Dr. Carolyn May Woogh
Dr. Carolyn May Woogh is a dedicated Psychiatrist specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a wide range of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders in adults, and may see older adolescents for certain conditions. Practicing at a mental health clinic or hospital department in Kingston, ON, she is a key member of the local mental healthcare community. She adheres to the standards and ethical guidelines set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). Dr. Woogh provides comprehensive psychiatric care, including diagnostic assessment, medication management, and psychotherapeutic interventions for a variety of conditions such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and psychotic disorders. Her approach is centered on understanding each patient’s unique needs to foster recovery and well-being.
Graduating with a Medical Degree from Queen's University in Canada, Dr. Woogh has accumulated over 48 years of experience as a Psychiatrist since 1976. She is recognized as a RCPSC Specialist by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), which affirms her expertise and commitment to high standards of psychiatric practice. Her extensive training and ongoing professional development ensure she remains current with the latest evidence-based treatment modalities in mental health care.
With a strong commitment to collaborative care, Dr. Woogh emphasizes patient empowerment through education and understanding. She believes in building a therapeutic alliance based on trust and respect, ensuring her patients feel heard and supported throughout their mental health journey. She provides care primarily in English and is dedicated to serving the Kingston community with compassionate, personalized psychiatric services.
Common Conditions Dr. Carolyn Woogh Addresses
Dr. Carolyn Woogh provides assessment and treatment for a wide spectrum of mental health conditions, including:
Anxiety, OCD & Trauma-Related Disorders
- Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia): Intense fear or anxiety of social situations where one might be scrutinized by others, leading to avoidance.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Develops after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event, involving symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
Other Psychiatric Conditions & Focus Areas
- Somatic Symptom Disorder & Illness Anxiety Disorder: Characterized by significant focus on physical symptoms (Somatic Symptom Disorder) or preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness (Illness Anxiety Disorder), causing major distress or functional impairment.
- Sleep-Wake Disorders (Insomnia, Hypersomnolence, Parasomnias - when psychiatrically related): Persistent disturbances in sleep patterns or quality that are often comorbid with or exacerbated by psychiatric conditions.
- Eating Disorders (Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder - psychiatric co-management): Serious conditions related to persistent eating behaviors that negatively impact health, emotions, and ability to function, often requiring multidisciplinary care including psychiatric management.
Mood Disorders
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): A type of depression related to changes in seasons, most commonly beginning in the fall and continuing through the winter months.
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) / Clinical Depression: Persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, fatigue, changes in appetite or sleep, and difficulty concentrating, significantly impairing daily functioning.
This list is not exhaustive. Effective mental health care is highly personalized. Please consult with Dr. Carolyn Woogh for an accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plan.
Psychiatrist Services Offered by Dr. Carolyn May Woogh
- Second Opinion Consultations for Complex Psychiatric Cases: Providing expert second opinions on challenging diagnoses, treatment-resistant conditions, or complex psychopharmacological management plans.
- Psychopharmacological Management & Medication Optimization: Prescribing, monitoring, and adjusting psychotropic medications (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics, stimulants) to treat various mental health disorders, focusing on efficacy, tolerability, and minimizing side effects.
- Management of Sleep Disorders (Insomnia, Parasomnias - psychiatric aspects): Pharmacological and behavioral approaches to treating sleep difficulties that are secondary to or co-occurring with psychiatric conditions.
- Capacity Assessment (Mental Capacity/Competency Evaluation - specific contexts): Specialized evaluations to determine an individual's mental capacity to make informed decisions regarding treatment, finances, or other legal matters, often in forensic or geriatric settings.
- Augmentation & Combination Strategies for Treatment-Resistant Conditions: Employing advanced psychopharmacological strategies, including combining medications or adding augmenting agents, for individuals who have not responded adequately to initial treatments.
- Neuropsychiatric Evaluation & Cognitive Assessment (Initial Screening/Referral): Initial assessment of cognitive function and neuropsychiatric symptoms, with referral for detailed neuropsychological testing if indicated, to differentiate psychiatric from neurological conditions.
Note: This list provides a general overview. Treatment approaches are highly individualized. Please discuss with Dr. Woogh for care relevant to your specific mental health needs.
All psychiatric services are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and relevant psychiatric care guidelines. Contact the clinic or your referring physician regarding new patient intake and referral processes.
Practice Location & Accessibility
Dr. Woogh practices within a mental health clinic or hospital department located in Kingston's Downtown Kingston, Queen's University Area, Sydenham Ward neighborhood. The setting offers convenient access to Kingston Penitentiary Tours (access) and Waterfront Hotels, making it an ideal location for patients from various parts of the city. The facility is well-served by Kingston Transit, ensuring public transit access. The environment is designed to be welcoming and discreet, with the facility wheelchair accessible and aiming to provide a comfortable and private environment for all patients. Parking is available at or near the facility, with designated accessible spots to accommodate those with mobility needs, fostering an atmosphere of confidentiality and ease of access for every patient.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are psychiatric consultations and treatments with Woogh, a Psychiatrist, covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?
- Medically necessary consultations, diagnostic assessments, and medication management provided by a licensed Psychiatrist like Woogh are generally covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON when a referral from a family doctor is in place. Coverage for psychotherapy services provided by a psychiatrist can vary; some provinces cover it, while others may have limitations or it may be part of hospital-based programs. Specific medications may also require special authorization or be subject to formulary restrictions. It's crucial to discuss coverage specifics for therapy or any specialized treatments with Woogh's office or Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
- Do I need a referral to see Woogh, a Psychiatrist?
- Yes, a referral from your family physician or another medical doctor (e.g., a pediatrician for child psychiatry, or an ER physician for urgent assessment) is almost always required to see a Psychiatrist such as Woogh for services covered by the provincial health plan. Mental health conditions often benefit from initial assessment by a primary care provider who can determine the need for specialist psychiatric care. The referral ensures coordinated care, appropriate triaging, and transfer of relevant medical history.
- When should someone consider a referral to a Psychiatrist like Woogh?
- A referral to a Psychiatrist like Dr. Woogh is typically considered when mental health symptoms are severe, persistent, complex, or not responding adequately to initial treatments provided by a family doctor or therapist. This can include: thoughts of suicide or self-harm; severe depression or mania; psychosis (hallucinations, delusions); debilitating anxiety or panic attacks; complex PTSD; severe OCD; suspected bipolar disorder or schizophrenia; treatment-resistant depression; or when medication management by a specialist is indicated. Psychiatrists are also consulted for diagnostic clarification and comprehensive treatment planning, especially for co-occurring conditions.
- How is confidentiality handled in psychiatric care?
- Confidentiality is a cornerstone of psychiatric care. Information you share with Dr. Woogh and her team is kept private and protected by law and professional ethics. This means your information will not be disclosed to anyone without your explicit consent, except in very specific situations where there is a legal obligation or an immediate risk of serious harm to yourself or others (e.g., imminent risk of suicide or homicide, child abuse, or a court order). Dr. Woogh will typically discuss the limits of confidentiality with you at the beginning of your treatment.
- What does a Psychiatrist like Woogh specialize in?
- A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) who has completed specialized training in psychiatry, which is the branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Unlike psychologists, psychiatrists can prescribe medication. She is a Psychiatrist who assesses, diagnoses, and treats mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders through medication, psychotherapy, or other interventions. Woogh is trained to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological problems and can provide a range of treatments including psychotherapy, medications, and sometimes other interventions like ECT or rTMS.
- Does Woogh offer psychotherapy (talk therapy)?
- Many psychiatrists, including potentially Woogh, are trained in various forms of psychotherapy (talk therapy) and may offer it as a part of their treatment approach, either as a standalone treatment or combined with medication. The specific types of psychotherapy offered can vary (e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT, psychodynamic therapy, supportive therapy). It is recommended to discuss this directly with Woogh's office or during your initial consultation to understand her approach to therapy and whether She provides this service or if She would refer you to another mental health professional like a psychologist or social worker for more specialized psychotherapy needs.
Contact & Licensing Information
41 MacDonnell St
Kingston, ON K7L 5T7
Phone: (613) 546-3925
The facility is wheelchair accessible and aims to provide a comfortable and private environment for all patients.
Dr. Woogh is a licensed Psychiatrist regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and Medicine Act, 1991 in ON. A referral from a family physician or another medical doctor is typically required for consultations with Dr. Woogh for services covered by the provincial health plan.
Verify registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Woogh-Carolyn-May/0023716-28508