Howard Ilivicky, MD
Howard Ilivicky, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist who has more than 30 years of experience treating a wide range of conditions in patients as young as 8 years old to those in their 90s. Dr. Ilivicky provides compassionate and collaborative care to those struggling with the effects of mood and anxiety disorders, including bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and OCD.
More about Dr. Ilivicky
Dr. Ilivicky truly values patients’ input into their treatment plans. He recognizes the courage it takes for mental health patients to pursue change, especially when it’s challenging. His collaborative approach takes shape as he provides treatment options, giving counsel while also encouraging patients to do their own research and discussing their own thoughts with him.
He says, “We are in this together. I provide treatment options, but I never dictate to patients what they should or should not do.” He encourages anyone seeking mental health care to always feel that they can reach out to their care team with any questions they may have, or particularly if they are in crisis.
For the past 15 years, Dr. Ilivicky has focused primarily on the treatment of mood disorders both through traditional psychotherapy methods and the use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS therapy. Having contributed to the initial research into Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the late 1990s, he offers a vast knowledge base of both clinical expertise and the ongoing trends in the latest developments for treating psychiatric illnesses.
In fact, Dr. Ilivicky’s expertise includes research of TMS at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and, shortly after, starting his own TMS practice in St. Louis in 2017, later going on to joining a larger TMS practice. He was also involved in the pivotal trials leading to the approval of nasal spray Esketamine by the FDA, which has aided him significantly in treating treatment-resistant depression.
As long as he can remember, Dr. Ilivicky has always wanted to help people in some way. He has always been interested in how the brain works, the fascinating connections of internal neural networks, and how they can be modulated to more actively help people. His ultimate goal is to leverage his increasing knowledge of the brain to treat mood disorders, and a range of other neuropsychiatric disorders. The mental health field has allowed him to pursue both his passion for helping others in need and his interests with the inner workings of the brain.
His mission has always been to provide high-quality care to those in need and to those who are often misunderstood. He feels he will be able to accomplish this goal at Mindful Health Solutions and is impressed with the caliber of care we offer our patients. He looks forward to joining our community of providers and to continuing to provide cutting-edge services to patients in need.
Personal Interests
Having just moved from St. Louis, where he raised his three children, to Seattle, Dr. Ilivicky and his wife are enjoying being empty nesters! They are excited by both the city life and getting outdoors to explore the beautiful scenery surrounding Seattle. To Dr. Ilivicky, family is the most important thing in his life. He and his wife live for family vacations and the opportunity to be together whenever or wherever they can.
In addition, they enjoy various outdoor activities together, like hiking, skiing, and experimenting with stand-up paddleboarding. As a former tennis player, Dr. Ilivicky has also greatly enjoyed pickleball. Together, he and his wife dream of taking sailing lessons soon here in Seattle.
Education & Experience
Following obtaining his medical degree from Washington University, School of Medicine in St. Louis Missouri, Dr. Ilivicky completed multiple psychiatric residencies in Durham, North Carolina, at Duke University’s Medical Center. There, he served as chief resident in psychiatry for a year before completing his Electroconvulsive Therapy Certification.
In 1993, he began teaching as an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, while also serving as the attending psychiatrist at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in West Philadelphia. These years were busy as Dr. Ilivicky kickstarted his career helping to treat veterans and teach residents, while running an inpatient dual-diagnosis unit for psychiatric issues and chemical dependency, in addition to running the ECT service, all while participating in TMS research.
Later, Dr. Ilivicky moved to St. Louis and joined a private practice, where he treated children, adolescents, and adults, both as inpatients and outpatients. While at this practice, he participated in FDA research of most of the psychotropic medications that are now currently on the market. Soon after, Dr. Ilivicky started his own practice that solely offered TMS therapy, while also volunteering with a local clinic that addressed the underserved populations’ psychiatric needs. He also co-founded a clinical and research practice in the suburbs of St. Louis that has treated up to 9,000 patients.
After participating in more than 250 clinical trials, and serving as Principal Investigator or Sub-Investigator in clinical pharmaceutical drug trials for the past 25 years, Dr. Ilivicky can be considered an expert on the subject of modern and interventional psychiatric treatments.
Now, Dr. Ilivicky is excited to continue making a difference in our Seattle communities and beyond.
Certifications & Memberships
- As Seen on Psychology Today
- The Washington Department of Health, License Number MD61660624
- Board-Certified Psychiatrist – American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN), Certificate Number 40104
- Member, American Psychological Association (APA)
Locations
Seattle Mental Health Clinic
115 NE 100th Street, STE 300, Seattle, WA 98125
P: 425-522-8520 F: 206-737-0180
E: intake@mindfulhealthsolutions.com