About

Education and Training

IMG_1741Dr. Applegate entered Bucknell University intending on becoming a psychotherapist. At this time he grew an interest in the biological aspects of behavior and so decided to pursue training as a psychiatrist. He graduated from Bucknell magna cum laude with a double major in Psychology and East Asian Studies, with honors in Psychology. He went to Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, where he served as the class representative for the psychiatry course. He did his psychiatry residency at the University of Pennsylvania and received the resident’s award for psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Treatment Approach

Dr. Applegate believes that everyone has a unique life story, and it is impossible to help someone without taking the time to understand the details of that personal history. Dr. Applegate has been trained in various psychotherapeutic approaches (such as cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, existential, to name a few) which aim to help relieve emotional pain, but Dr. Applegate views these as possible tools and not therapeutic dogma. Likewise, Dr. Applegate has a sophisticated knowledge of psychiatric medications and their application but reserves their use for situations when it is clearly appropriate and the benefits of these tools outweigh the risks. An individualized treatment approach must be developed by you together with Dr. Applegate, wisely tailoring helpful treatment elements to the specifics of your story.

Experience and Expertise

Dr. Applegate has been in private practice in Philadelphia since 2005. He also holds an appointment at the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center where he has seen thousands of patients in the outpatient mental health clinic. He teaches medical students from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, holds an appointment as Clinical Associate with the University of Pennsylvania Department of Psychiatry and provides supervision for psychiatric residents-in-training learning psychotherapy. Dr. Applegate also provides psychiatric services for the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Student Health and Counseling Center. Due to these varied practice venues, Dr. Applegate has particular competence in the treatment of Anxiety Disorders (e.g. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder), Mood Disorders (e.g. Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder), Attention Deficit Disorder, Psychotic Disorders, Sleep Disorders, and Personality Disorders. Dr. Applegate does not treat Substance Use Disorders, Eating Disorders, or psychiatric disorders occurring in children and adolescents below 16 years of age.