Psychiatrist
With training that spans osteopathic medicine, a psychiatry residency caring for veterans, and a fellowship in forensic psychiatry, Dr. Bryan DeFelice, DO, brings a calm, down-to-earth presence to every patient he sees. He's glad to be back in the Phoenix area, where he attended medical school, and it means a great deal to him to care for patients in the community that helped train him.
Education and Background
Dr. DeFelice's interest in mental health began when he studied psychology as an undergraduate. He earned his medical degree from the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University in Glendale, where osteopathic training emphasizes the whole person: how physical health, emotional health, lifestyle, and environment all interact. He completed his psychiatry residency at East Tennessee State University, where much of his training involved caring for veterans, followed by a forensic psychiatry fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina.
Throughout that training, he saw again and again how strongly mental and emotional health shape a person's overall well-being. Psychiatry drew him because it brings together the biological, psychological, and social sides of each patient while letting him get to know them as an individual.
Care Philosophy
Compassion, respect, honesty, evidence-based care, and shared decision-making guide Dr. DeFelice's approach. He believes treatment should be comprehensive and individualized, with a clear discussion of benefits, risks, alternatives, and how each option fits your goals. His work with veterans and in forensic settings has given him experience connecting with people from a wide range of backgrounds and life circumstances. He listens carefully, asks thoughtful follow-up questions, and summarizes what he's heard to make sure he understood you correctly.
Personal Interests
Outside of work, Dr. DeFelice enjoys hiking, mountain biking, trail running, and photography, and he makes the most of Arizona's desert landscape and sunshine. At home, he spends time with his wife and their orange cat, Teddy. During medical school, he worked with people experiencing homelessness and joined Phoenix-area service projects, from food drives and neighborhood cleanups to painting homes, and he's looking forward to finding new ways to give back now that he's home.
What to Expect
In sessions with Dr. DeFelice, patients can expect a thoughtful conversation about what brought them in, their history, their daily life, and their goals for care. He'll share his initial impression, talk through the options with you, and build a plan together that is evidence-based and realistic. Finding the right approach can take time, and throughout it, you can expect him to be caring, engaged, and honest.