Neal Stolar, MD, PhD

Neal Stolar, MD-PhD, serves as the psychiatrist for the Center. He received his MD in 1990 and his PhD in Biological Psychology in 1992, both from the University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign. He completed his psychiatry residency program in 1995 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He has worked in private practice since 1996, using psychotherapy in combination, when needed, with medication management. He has worked in community mental health centers and residential programs as staff psychiatrist and sometimes as Medical Director as well. Along with his work at Drexel, he currently works in the Crozer Psychotherapy Services, and is a Clinical Associate Professor at the Department of Psychiatry of the University of Pennsylvania. He has participated in research there in both basic and clinical aspects of schizophrenia and has co-authored publications there and elsewhere about these subjects as well as psychophysiology.

Neal's true passion is the practice of psychotherapy – ‘talk therapy’ – of which he utilizes many modalities in his work outside the Center. His view of psychiatric medications is that they can be beneficial as a supplement to the important practice of psychotherapy. He tries as best possible to keep their use to the safest minimal level, emphasizes avoidance of side effects, and encourages students to participate in the decision-making process of choosing which, if any, medications might be preferable. Natural supplements and diet adjustments can also be part of the treatment approach. Health habits, including exercise, relaxation techniques, socialization, leisure activities, proper limitations of caffeine and other substances, and sleep hygiene are also assessed and evaluated. Neal participates in weekly meetings with the other clinical staff to coordinate care of Drexel students.