Board-Certified Private Psychiatry in Chestnut Hill & Mount Airy | Direct MD Care
For residents of Chestnut Hill, Mount Airy, and the surrounding Northwest Philadelphia communities, mental healthcare should reflect the highest standards of clinical precision, privacy, and personal attention.
Whether you are navigating high-pressure career demands, complex adult ADHD, refractory mood disorders, or major life transitions, Thomas Scary, MD provides direct, board-certified physician care tailored to your specific goals.
As a university-affiliated psychiatrist and Clinical Assistant Professor at Temple University, Dr. Scary offers comprehensive diagnostic evaluations, evidence-based psychopharmacology, and integrated psychotherapy—combining the depth and rigor of academic medicine with the privacy and ease of a direct out-of-pocket practice.
Serving Northwest Philadelphia & Surrounding Hubs
Dr. Scary provides unhurried, direct-access psychiatric care via secure telehealth across Pennsylvania, alongside flexible in-office appointments at nearby regional offices (including Ambler / Lower Gwynedd and Center City Philadelphia) for patients residing in:
Northwest Philadelphia: Chestnut Hill, Mount Airy, Germantown, Wissahickon, Roxborough, Manayunk
Nearby Eastern Montgomery County: Wyndmoor, Erdenheim, Flourtown, Lafayette Hill, Springfield Township, Glenside
Adjacent Suburban Hubs: Ambler, Lower Gwynedd, Fort Washington
Why Chestnut Hill & Mount Airy Families & Professionals Choose Dr. Scary
1. Dedicated Physician Expertise (MD vs. Mid-Level Care)
Your mental health deserves the highest caliber of medical education and clinical judgment. Unlike high-volume clinics where diagnostic evaluations and medication management are delegated to psychiatric nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) or physician assistants (PAs), every consultation at this practice is conducted directly by Thomas Scary, MD—a physician with over eight years of rigorous medical school and residency training, plus current academic appointments
2. Diagnostic Depth for Complex Adult ADHD & Mood Disorders
Adult ADHD frequently presents alongside executive dysfunction, chronic stress, anxiety, or treatment-resistant depression. Rather than relying on superficial questionnaires or automated diagnostic checklists, Dr. Scary conducts thorough, nuanced evaluations to differentiate primary ADHD from mimicking conditions and establish a tailored, evidence-based treatment plan.
3. Absolute Privacy & Out-of-Network Autonomy
For prominent community figures, academics, health system clinicians, and corporate leaders across Northwest Philadelphia, privacy is non-negotiable.
No Public Waiting Rooms: Dedicated virtual consultations and direct physician communication.
Complete Discretion: Operates independently of insurance networks, ensuring your diagnosis and session notes are never submitted to insurance databases or third-party reviewers.
Unhurried Sessions: Extended 60 or 90-minute intakes and dedicated follow-ups designed for deep clinical work.
Services Offered
| Service | Clinical Focus & Structure |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive Adult Psychiatric Evaluation | In-depth 60–90 minute diagnostic assessment covering developmental, biological, and psychological factors. |
| Adult ADHD & Executive Functioning | Differential diagnosis, safe and precise psychopharmacology, and cognitive strategy integration. |
| Treatment-Resistant Depression & Anxiety | Advanced medication management, second-opinion consultations, and regimen streamlining. |
| Integrated Psychotherapy & Med Management | Combining psychodynamic insight, supportive therapy, and targeted pharmacology in a unified session. |
How to Begin Care
A simple, low-friction process designed to respect your time:
Initial Inquiry: Request an initial evaluation through the secure online portal or phone.
Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation: Complete an unhurried, detailed session (via secure telehealth or in-office).
Personalized Treatment Plan: Collaborate on an evidence-based roadmap combining precise medication management, psychotherapy, and lifestyle optimization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept insurance?
Dr. Scary operates a direct-pay, out-of-network practice. This model guarantees complete clinical privacy, unrestricted appointment duration, and personalized care dictated purely by medical necessity rather than insurance company mandates. Comprehensive monthly superbills are provided for patients wishing to seek out-of-network reimbursement.
How are appointments conducted?
Patients can choose convenient, HIPAA-compliant telehealth consultations throughout Pennsylvania, or schedule in-person appointments at regional offices in nearby Ambler/Lower Gwynedd or Center City Philadelphia.