A Mindful Friendship

In the United States, approximately 24 percent of adults experienced mental illness last year, with one in seven youths ages 6 to 17 experiencing a mental health disorder, according to the National Alliance on Mental Health. Upper Makefield Township is lucky to have the expertise of two renowned psychiatrists specializing in this important field.

Barbara Wingate, MD, is the medical director of her own private practice, where she sees adult patients for all mental health issues. In 2000, she was named one of the Top Doctors in Psychiatry by Philadelphia Magazine. Ruth Rosenberg, MD, also has a private practice, where she specializes in child, adolescent, adult, and family psychotherapy. She has been named to the Best of Bucks list for her important work. Both doctors took different paths to attain their careers, but they share the same intention: to help people achieve their therapy goals.

Discovering Their Passion

Dr. Wingate initially majored in political science, then, after earning her master’s degree in social work, decided she wanted to go to medical school at the age of 32. While completing her residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in psychiatry, she underwent special training in eating disorders. She later became the medical director of the Renfrew Center for Eating Disorders in Florida. Eventually, Dr. Wingate moved back to Philadelphia and started her private practice.

She says she is known for her integrative care of complex medical cases, enhanced by her years working at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania as a consult liaison psychiatrist. She also earned her board certification in holistic medicine and is certified in Kundalini yoga.

“I’ve always had a longstanding interest in listening to people’s stories with empathy as they develop positive and holistic plans for health, which resonates with many looking for a little humility,” she says.

Dr. Rosenberg attended the University of Pennsylvania for her undergraduate education and received her medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine. She trained at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as a pediatric resident and adolescent psychiatry fellow and then at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for general psychiatry.

After moving to New Mexico for nine years working in psychiatry with children, adolescents, and adults, she relocated to Upper Makefield Township with her family and started her own private practice. She says she remains most passionate about the family dynamic work she does.

“I think I was always destined to be a psychiatrist,” Dr. Rosenberg says. “I have always thought a lot about people’s thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and motivation. I also feel things very deeply. It feels good to know I’ve helped other people feel better.”

Two Paths, One Destination

Drs. Wingate and Rosenberg met at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania when Dr. Wingate was Dr. Rosenberg’s residency supervisor. When Dr. Rosenberg moved back to the Philadelphia area from New Mexico, she reached out to Dr. Wingate to let her know she was living nearby again. During their conversation, they realized they were both residing in the same town.

Dr. Wingate moved to Upper Makefield Township in 1998, and Dr. Rosenberg in 2003.

“I moved here because I knew there was a need for a child and adolescent psychiatrist, and I could work from my home,” Dr. Rosenberg says. “Upper Makefield Township is also the most beautiful place I’ve ever lived. It’s bucolic.”

Dr. Wingate says she has built strong relationships within the community over the years and frequently supports local businesses, including Washington Crossing Animal Hospital and Heritage Pharmacy. However, being a well‑known local doctor comes with some challenges.

“Over the years, people know who I am and what I do, and they want to be seen by me,” she says. “I’ll say okay, but I tell them there’s a zone of privacy, so if I run into them in public, I’ll smile and say hi, but we’ll only have a professional, cordial relationship.”

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

January marks the end of the holiday season and the beginning of winter, a time when many people experience seasonal affective disorder. Dr. Wingate says that if someone is aware of this tendency, they should plan a trip to a sunny or stimulating location, make time to be with people they enjoy, and prioritize exercise, which is considered a natural antidepressant.

Many people wonder when the right time is to seek help for depression, anxiety, or trauma. In adults, signs of depression can include no longer finding joy, losing interest, or isolating oneself. In children and adolescents, signs can be more gradual, such as declining grades, reduced social interaction, erratic sleep patterns, and changes in appetite.

According to Dr. Rosenberg, anxiety has increased over the last decade due to social media, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the increasingly fast pace of life. She stresses the importance of removing stigma around psychiatric care.

“It breaks my heart to know that something is treatable and someone is suffering when they don’t need to,” she says. “The goal of therapy for my patients is to learn skills to be able to continue their psychological growth trajectory, to be part of society, feel good about friendships and family relationships, and feel they are meeting their goals.”

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, both doctors work with patients via telehealth as well as in person. Dr. Rosenberg has an office in her home, and Dr. Wingate maintains office space in Newtown. When meeting with new patients, both conduct comprehensive initial evaluations to assess psychiatric diagnoses and develop appropriate treatment strategies. As psychiatrists, they are able to prescribe medication when needed.

“It’s important to educate a person about what to expect from medication,” Dr. Rosenberg says. “There are certain individuals who are blocked in their movement and sometimes must use medication to get out of that spot—and sometimes they need to be on medication indefinitely. But you should not take medication without therapy.”

At some point in the therapeutic process, patients may experience a breakthrough or no longer require professional help, which can be an adjustment for both patients and physicians.

“It’s happiness, and you want to applaud them, but then you also miss them,” Dr. Wingate says. “I get to know things about people that other people don’t. I feel so honored that people trust me with that.”

Continuing to Be a Light

Both doctors emphasize the importance of having passions outside of work. Dr. Wingate volunteers with HomeFront NJ, an organization dedicated to ending homelessness in Central Jersey. Dr. Rosenberg enjoys photography and has captured many images throughout Upper Makefield Township. She also started a walking group a few years ago that meets at Washington Crossing Historic Park, which she invited Dr. Wingate to join.

The two women continue their professional relationship through peer consultations, discussing emerging medications and seeking advice on complex cases. They share a strong mutual admiration for one another.

“Barbara is holistic in her approach, which I like,” Dr. Rosenberg says. “She’s bright and works hard to think of different approaches to help her patients, and she’s very creative.”

Dr. Wingate has known Dr. Rosenberg from her residency years through her current success as a psychiatrist.“Ruth is a superstar,” she says. “She is smart, caring, and detail‑oriented. When you pull all of that together, she’s someone you can rely on.”

Neither physician plans to retire. They continue to love their profession because they are trusted with their patients’ most personal stories and can help them work through challenges in a safe and private environment. Both doctors stress that it is important to reach out for help at any age, because there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

SIDEBARS

How to Encourage Good Mental Health

Sleep is paramount. Do not allow phones in bed and use the bed only for sleep.
Eat healthfully with a proper balance of proteins and carbohydrates.
Maintain good water intake.
Exercise regularly for both physical and psychological well‑being.
Plan and attend events with family and friends.

Additional Advice for Parents

Have family meals together without phones.
Use positive talk at the dinner table.
Spend one‑on‑one time with your children.
Let children take the lead during play.

Finding Support

For children and adolescents:
Contact your pediatrician.
Contact your school district.
Use the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry as a resource (www.aacap.org).

For adults:
Contact your primary care physician.
Contact your insurance company.

Dari Kotzker resides in Bucks County with her husband and four kids. She has worked as a reporter in television news and print media since 2001.

Photograph by Jennifer Janikic Photography