Psychiatrist
With a career that spans ten years of work overseas, community mental health, private clinics, and leadership as a medical director, Dr. Neil Wilkey, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist who brings a broad, thoughtful perspective to every patient he sees. To him, psychiatry is the art of balancing the biology of thought, behavior, and emotion with everything else that makes us human: our personal history, current circumstances, relationships, and beliefs.
Education and Background
Dr. Wilkey is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He spent ten years working overseas with people from 50 countries, and his work in the U.S. includes community mental health, private clinics, and serving as medical director of a substance use treatment center.
His path into psychiatry was shaped by great mentors with backgrounds in philosophy, theology, and psychodynamic training. They showed him the importance of treating the whole person, not just "the patient," and that lesson still guides how he practices today.
Care Philosophy
Dr. Wilkey believes people are shaped by their biology, history, beliefs, and circumstances, and that understanding gives him genuine empathy for whatever you're going through. He makes sure you feel heard by summarizing what he understands you to be telling him and asking whether he's gotten it right. His focus stays on the goals you identify for your treatment, while he brings a professional perspective to help the two of you decide on a course of action together.
Personal Interests
Dr. Wilkey loves the outdoor lifestyle that comes with living in the greater Phoenix area. He and his wife enjoy boating, hiking, and fitness, and they love caring for their dog and two cats. They also have three adult children.
What to Expect
In sessions with Dr. Wilkey, patients can expect a first visit focused on getting the full picture: your health, your history, and your life today, along with your goals and expectations for treatment. He takes the time to understand where you're coming from, then works with you on a plan built around what matters most to you.