Dr Al Griskaitis

Dr Al Griskaitis is a consultant psychiatrist and Director of Trauma Services at South Coast Private Hospital and is the cofounder of Thepsychcollective.com.

I work as a general psychiatrist and I tend to mostly work with anxiety disorders, occupational PTSD and mood disorders. I do a lot of work with the police military, but I enjoy working with anyone who is open to change. I don't prescribe opioids or benzodiazepines at all. Before medicine I worked in various roles such as a cleaner, a retail assistant, a barman, as a manager, and later in teaching and research. I've had a long standing connection with the Illawarra having studied and worked at the University of Wollongong and Wollongong hospital.

My training in psychiatry was primarily in Sydney, especially at the Anxiety Disorders Clinic (St Vincent's Hospital).

My approach is integrative, meaning I don't limit myself to medications. I prescribe medications with a light hand where appropriate. I like to work closely with people who have had difficulty in reducing medications, as often people find their medications have been ratcheted up and have difficulty reducing them. I advocate the use of lifestyle measures such as physical activity, stress mitigation, psychological skills training, the use of dearousal skills as well as measures to reduce rumination and improve sleep. I'm also interested in integrative approaches to reduce chronic inflammation and its impact on neurotransmitter systems/mood.

Where appropriate, I liaise with psychologists, nutritionists, exercise physiologists and integrative practitioners. I favour integrated approaches try to address root causes, but root causes cannot always be found. Outside of psychiatry, I am interested in human longevity, keeping myself busy with work, family and friends. I'm deliberate about my own health and I work hard to deliberately manage stress and I can help you to do the same. 

Please note that Dr. Griskaitis does not accept new referrals for ADHD assessments or provide medico-legal reports.