In his work with patients, Dr. Williamson takes a special interest in the mind-body connection and emphasizes the importance of physical health for mental well-being. He is vigilant in investigating potential co-morbid medical problems that could exacerbate psychiatric symptoms. For example, depression, poor concentration, anxiousness, poor sleep, fatigue, and low energy are non-specific symptoms that may be associated with a major depressive disorder and obstructive sleep apnea. He believes that it is of paramount importance to screen for co-morbid physical disease states that can worsen psychiatric symptoms.

Dr. Williamson sees his role as that of expert consultant. He wants his patients to be fully informed about their options for treatment and, especially, what risks are associated with available treatments. Each patient has unique values and goals for treatment, and he wants to put them in a position to make the best decision for them.

Having treated patients with severe and complicated forms of depression, he has seen the limitations of pharmacotherapies. Sometimes patients do not respond well, even to multiple medications at high doses. Medications, even when they do work, can cause troublesome side effects. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) has proven to be effective for many people and is not associated with the side effects that sometimes limit the use of medications. Moreover, there is promising clinical research for the use of TMS in treating psychiatric conditions other than depression.