Phillip Balfanz, Adolescent Psychiatrist
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Phillip Balfanz

Psychiatrist | Psychiatry

123 Commerce St. A Kerrville TX, 78028
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About

Dr. Phillip Balfanz is a psychiatrist practicing in Kerrville, TX. Dr. Balfanz is a medical doctor specializing in the care of mental health patients. As a psychiatrist, Dr. Balfanz diagnoses and treats mental illnesses. Dr. Balfanz may treat patients through a variety of methods including medications, psychotherapy or talk therapy, psychosocial interventions and more, depending on each individual case. Different medications that a psychiatrist might prescribe include antidepressants, antipsychotic mediations, mood stabilizers, stimulants, sedatives and hypnotics. Dr. Balfanz treats conditions like depression, anxiety, OCD, eating disorders, bipolar disorders, personality disorders, insomnia, ADD and other mental illnesses.

Education and Training

UTMB Galveston MD 2003

Board Certification

American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (Psychiatry and Neurology)

Provider Details

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Phillip Balfanz
Phillip Balfanz's Expert Contributions
  • Why does my son have trouble focusing?

    There are many things that may affect attention including diet, need for regular exercise and play other than on electronics. If it is affecting his ability to function, it may be helpful to have an evaluation by a professional to help clarify if there might be anxiety, a mood disorder, or AD/HD affecting attention. READ MORE

  • What are the symptoms of Ritalin addiction?

    From the information available in the question, it is difficult to say if this is addiction. It is important that you speak to the person prescribing the medication to try to decide what to do. It is problematic that you are not taking it as prescribed but there may be several reasons you are responding to it differently and some changes that may help you manage your symptoms. READ MORE

  • Can eating disorders develop at any age?

    It sounds that you have had a change in your behavior that may affect your health if you are over-eating. It might be wise to seek consultation with a therapist or psychiatrist. It is possible that there is an eating disorder as they don't discriminate by age. READ MORE

  • What are natural remedies for depression?

    Exercise and maintaining regular sleep schedule probably have the most evidence. Healthy diet can be useful. Psychotherapy would be a treatment where you were not introducing any other chemicals. READ MORE

  • Is it safe for my daughter to be on anxiety medication?

    Psychotherapy is usually first line treatment in younger people if possible. Medications may be a consideration if therapy is insufficient. Generally medications like SSRIs would be first line pharmacological treatment for an anxiety disorder rather than something like benzodiazepines. It is helpful to be well informed. You may find reliable information at the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry under the section for Families and Youth at AACAP.org READ MORE

  • Can I become dependent on Celexa?

    You should speak to your doctor now. It does not sound like you are taking the medication the way it would be prescribed or used appropriately. Generally Celexa is a once daily medication. There are risks associated with taking it other ways. READ MORE

  • How do I ween myself off of opioid medications?

    Speak to your prescribing doctor about what has happened. You may also want to consider looking at support for addiction. SAMHSA.gov has some resources and information. It is generally helpful to work with someone on developing a plan so that you can plan out what needs to happen in the short and long term. READ MORE

  • Is Contrave safe for weight-loss?

    Any time you ingest a chemical, there are risks. If it is helpful for your overall health, then it may work out. Contrave contains an antidepressant (buproprion), which is often used to augment depression treatment and naltrexone, which blocks opioid receptors. It is difficult to predict response, so you should stay in close contact with your prescribing physician to let them know of any changes in your mood. READ MORE

  • Are antidepressants good for elderly patients?

    If an elderly person is suffering from mood symptoms, an antidepressant can be very helpful and may lead to improvement in quality of life. There are always risks associated with medications and those must be balanced with the benefit. READ MORE

  • Is Adderall the only form of treatment for ADHD?

    For ADHD, stimulants are the gold standard treatment. There are two including amphetamine products, like Adderall, and methylphenidate products. Other, non-stimulant medications include atomoxetine, guanfacine, clonidine and some other medications but generally these are not as effective for the core symptoms of ADHD. It is also useful to have help with creating structure, keeping a regular schedule, help with organizing. Some people use high ratio EPA fatty acids or B vitamins to aid in symptoms of ADHD, but the effectiveness of this tends to be limited. Exercise, healthy diet, and regular sleep are part of good structure. READ MORE

  • What is the education and training required to become a psychiatrist?

    In the United States a psychiatrist has a 4 year undergraduate degree (bachelors) required to enter medical school. 4 years of medical school either through allopathic (MD) or osteopathic (DO). This is followed by 4 years of general psychiatric residency. A sub-specialist in psychiatry will also have at least one more year of fellowship training. A physician must also pass the 3 steps of the medical boards (taken throughout medical school and residency in order to apply for a state medical license). After a physician finishes residency, that doctor would be eligible to take their specialty board. READ MORE

  • Can a psychiatrist help someone who is losing their memory?

    Yes, it is sometimes helpful to treat the anxiety and sadness. READ MORE

  • Is trichitilomania curable?

    It is treatable. Treatment starts with behavioral interventions often including cognitive behavioral therapy or habit reversal therapy. Sometimes medications can be helpful in treating this as well. READ MORE

  • How can I get over my fears of height?

    Generally, the treatment for phobias responds to a type of therapy called exposure therapy. A good anxiety therapist would be able to help structure some interventions that could help gradually reduce that fear. READ MORE

  • Difference in treatment between a psychiatrist and psychologist?

    A psychiatrist is a physician. The approach to care would depend on the individual. A psychiatrist would likely also want to make sure there were not a medical cause of difficulty with mood. Some psychiatrists focus more on medication care while others mostly psychotherapy or some a mixture. A psychologist would likely approach treatment through psychotherapy. READ MORE

  • I am feeling very depressed, and have not had success with medication. What can be done to help me?

    Medications are a tool for treatment of certain conditions such as major depressive disorder. Psychotherapy is another tool that is often underutilized. Exercise and diet can be very important as well and in some situations work as well as medications. There are more invasive treatments for people that find themselves treatment resistant, but these decisions are best made with a trusted physician. READ MORE

  • How can I help my son cope with social anxiety?

    Look for a therapist who is trained in play therapy or filial therapy that can help with identifying strategies to work on separating. This is often a process that takes time and lots of work and help with reassurance as it will be uncomfortable for both of you at times. In some situations, depending on his age, medications can be useful. READ MORE

  • Are there any natural remedies or medications that will help with anxiety and depression?

    Healthy diet and exercise can be very effective. Minimizing processed foods seems to be helpful for certain people. The other tool that seems to be underutilized is a good psychotherapy. READ MORE

  • Is my back pain psychological?

    Pain is perceived in the brain which is a very complicated organ with different levers that can amplify or diminish sensations. Even with pain that comes from an identifiable source, it can be helpful to learn ways to manage or cope with pain. Anxiety can also release hormones and neurotransmitters that cause muscles to tighten and feel painful. READ MORE

  • Will prozac use lead to weight gain?

    It is dependent upon you as an individual. Generally, I do not expect significant weight gain on fluoxetine and there are others who may lose weight or have appetite suppression. This may partially depend on the dose you take. READ MORE

Professional Memberships

  • American Psychiatric Association  
  • Texas Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists  
  • American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry  
  • Texas Medical Association  
  • Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians  

Phillip Balfanz's Practice location

Live Oak Psychiatric Services

123 Commerce St. A -
Kerrville, TX 78028
Get Direction
New patients: 830-538-0127
Fax: 830-521-4061
https://www.liveoakps.com/

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PETERSON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTERl

551 HILL COUNTRY DRIVE KERRVILLE TX 78028

Head southwest on Commerce Street 655 ft
Turn left onto Junction Highway (TX 27) 1.2 mi
Continue straight onto Main Street (TX 27) 708 ft
Turn right onto Francisco Lemos Street (FM 394) 2957 ft
Turn left onto Thompson Drive (Loop 98) 1086 ft
Make a sharp right onto Wesley Drive 903 ft
Turn left onto Hill Country Drive 27 ft
Turn right 427 ft
You have arrived at your destination, on the left

2.5 miSee direction

HILL COUNTRY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL INCl

1020 SOUTH STATE HIGHWAY 16 FREDERICKSBURG TX 78624

Head southwest on Commerce Street 655 ft
Turn left onto Junction Highway (TX 27) 1.2 mi
Continue straight onto Main Street (TX 27) 3055 ft
Turn left onto Sidney Baker Street (TX 16) 2.4 mi
Continue straight onto Sidney Baker Highway (TX 16) 20.9 mi
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25.3 miSee direction

CUMBERLAND SURGICAL HOSPITALl

5330 NORTH LOOP 1604 WEST SAN ANTONIO TX 78249

Head southwest on Commerce Street 655 ft
Turn left onto Junction Highway (TX 27) 1.2 mi
Continue straight onto Main Street (TX 27) 3055 ft
Turn left onto Sidney Baker Street (TX 16) 2.3 mi
Take the ramp on the right 1636 ft
Merge left onto I 10 46.9 mi
Take the ramp on the right towards Frontage Road 3047 ft
Go straight onto Interstate Highway 10 Frontage Road 2636 ft
Turn left onto North Loop 1604 West 2861 ft
Turn right 174 ft
Turn left 224 ft
Turn right 43 ft
You have arrived at your destination, on the right

53.2 miSee direction