AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Anxiety and Depression
At Armonk Integrated Psychiatry, we understand the unique pressures that living in Fairfield and Westchester counties, and surrounding areas, can bring. While you may have great success in some areas of life, anxiety or depression may still occur, and you may not be sure why. Crises may be upsetting the balance in your life, and it may be difficult to ask for help when on the outside it can seem like “you have it all”. We know that living in this competitive environment has its own consequences and can contribute to strained marriages, anxious adolescents, stressed and unhappy parents.
Maybe you have been feeling burned out, defeated, and as though the joy has gone out of life. Whether you are suffering from a temporary sense of feeling overwhelmed or have had a lifelong struggle with significant depression or anxiety, we use a variety of treatment methods to help. We will do a thorough evaluation to help determine the cause of the problem, including assisting in referral for neuropsychological testing when needed.
We offer short term evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) informed psychotherapy, as well as other problem focused approaches such as parent coaching. These treatments are oriented towards getting you back to peak functioning as quickly as possible. For those who would like a deeper understanding of the issues that interfere with their goals, we offer longer term psychodynamic psychotherapy as well.
When needed, our doctors will also prescribe medication as an adjunct in treatment.
Eating Disorders
Armonk Integrated Psychiatry specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder. We also treat those suffering from disordered thinking or behavior but who do not have a formal eating disorder. This includes people who are unhappy with their relationship with food, or their bodies, and would like some help to feel more in control of their eating and feel greater satisfaction with their bodies.
Dr. Harris was formerly the director of the world-renowned inpatient eating disorders unit at New York Presbyterian Hospital. While there, Dr. Harris received extensive experience treating a wide variety of eating disorders, including the most complicated and severe cases and oversaw a multidisciplinary treatment team.
In her over 25 years of private practice, Dr. Harris has helped hundreds of eating disordered patients heal and reclaim their lives. She has worked extensively with clinicians in the community and is happy to coordinate with them to provide you with the best possible care. Eating disorders can be notoriously hard to treat, but Dr. Harris has a proven track record of success.
Dr. Harris takes a practical, results-oriented approach, utilizing research supported treatment methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), medication and nutrition therapies to facilitate progress. The family is integrated into treatment for adolescents and for adults when appropriate. If a patient is already involved in treatment elsewhere, Dr. Harris is happy to work in collaboration with his or her existing treatment team.
Above all, care is delivered in an atmosphere of compassion and understanding. Many times, patients with eating issues feel that treatment with Dr. Harris is the first time they feel truly understood.
Women's Health
Dr. Harris has spent over 20 years with a particular focus on the pressures that women face and how these evolve through the various phases of life, from puberty, to childbirth, to menopause.
Adolescence
Navigating the challenges that a girl faces as she goes through puberty and the teen years are significant. The social pressures, including navigating dating, drug and alcohol use, the desire to meet a certain beauty standard and getting accepted to a top college, are enormous. As a result, many girls begin to feel stressed, anxious, overwhelmed or depressed. This is a time when eating disorders often first appear. Having extensive training and experience in treating eating disorders, depression and anxiety in adolescents, Dr. Harris is uniquely suited to address this tumultuous time for girls.
Reproductive Years
The childbearing years can also be very challenging for women. Difficulty conceiving can be an extremely stressful time psychologically, when emotional and often physically painful events, such as hormone treatments, in vitro procedures or miscarriages can dominate daily life. This time period can place inordinate stress on couples and at times cause financial pressures as well. Often, women facing the challenge of infertility feel isolated, alone and unable to discuss these issues with their friends who all appear to be conceiving effortlessly.
Pregnancy, while being a time full of eager anticipation, can also be a difficult time when underlying depression or anxiety can worsen. Having a safe, understanding space to process the physical and emotional life changes inherent in having a baby, can help during this time of preparation. Having extra support post-partum can ease the transition to motherhood; this is a time of significant hormonal, physical and emotional highs and lows, and a comforting, supportive therapist can be a lifeline.
Menopausal Transition
Transitioning into menopause is a particularly challenging time for women. Psychological symptoms can start years before the actual cessation of menstruation. Often, these changes are not recognized as being related to the perimenopausal hormone fluctuations that have begun. This can be compounded by hormonal changes causing sleep to become more interrupted, especially if hot flashes make sleep even more difficult.
Suddenly, a woman can feel like she is experiencing something akin to puberty in reverse, where her body and her emotions feel unfamiliar and out of her control. To make matters worse, this transition often hits at a time when she has many other obligations such as children to take care of, a career that may be in full swing and possibly aging parents to care for. The result can be an overwhelming mix. Dr. Harris understands the biologic changes that a woman is going through, can coordinate with your gynecologist regarding hormone replacement therapy if desired and can help you to understand and manage this time of transition.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
If you’ve been through something traumatic and you're still feeling the effects, you're not weak — you're human. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a real and treatable condition that can happen after experiencing or witnessing something deeply distressing.
This might include:
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A serious accident or injury
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Physical or sexual assault
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Combat or military service
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Emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
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Natural disasters
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Sudden loss or life-threatening events
You don’t have to live in survival mode. At Armonk Integrated Psychiatry , we create a safe, supportive space to help you work through what happened — at your own pace.
Substance Use Disorder
Dr. Vicki Kalira brings dual board certification in General Adult Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry, with extensive training in treating substance use disorders involving alcohol, opioids, stimulants, and behavioral addictions. She offers compassionate, evidence-based care that addresses the complex relationship between addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and trauma. Her integrated approach combines medication management, psychotherapy, and recovery support tailored to your individual needs.
Psychedelic Medicine
Dr. Vicki Kalira is at the forefront of psychedelic-assisted therapy, bringing both clinical expertise and deep commitment to this emerging field. She has completed specialized training through the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy and is a subject matter expert in psychedelics at the VA nationally. Dr. Kalira offers evaluations and preparation/integration support for ketamine and other psychedelic modalities, approaching this work with the same evidence-based, trauma-informed philosophy that guides her broader practice. Whether you're exploring psychedelic medicine as part of your healing journey or seeking guidance on preparation and integration, Dr. Kalira provides knowledgeable, compassionate support.
Dr. Kalira is not condoning the use of illicit substances, offering harm reduction.