How Dr. Jeffrey Ditzell Went From the U.S. Army to Building a Lasting Practice

Growing a business on referrals and reinvested revenue sounds slow. For Dr. Jeffrey Ditzell, it turned a solo psychiatry practice into a growing New York City operation with a full clinical and administrative team, all without a dollar of outside funding.

In this interview, he breaks down the decisions that got him there. You’ll see why he leaned into telepsychiatry before most practices took it seriously and what it actually takes to build the kind of trust that turns patients into advocates.

Tell us about yourself and your business.

I’m Dr. Jeffrey Ditzell, psychiatrist and founder of Jeff Ditzell Psychiatry in New York City. I’ve spent my career helping people improve not only their mental health but their overall quality of life. Before opening my private practice, I served as a psychiatrist in the U.S. Army, including a deployment to Iraq as a Division Psychiatrist. That experience shaped how I approach mental health, looking at the whole person and recognizing that resilience, purpose, and connection are just as important as diagnosis and treatment.

Today, my practice provides personalized psychiatric care for adults struggling with conditions such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and addiction. We also offer innovative treatments, including ketamine therapy and telepsychiatry, to make high-quality mental healthcare more accessible. My philosophy has always been to combine evidence-based medicine with compassionate, individualized care that helps patients thrive rather than simply manage symptoms.

How does your business make money?

Our practice generates revenue through psychiatric evaluations, medication management, psychotherapy, telepsychiatry appointments, and specialized treatment programs. We also provide advanced treatment options, including ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant depression and other qualifying conditions.

Our goal is to create long-term relationships with patients by delivering comprehensive, personalized care. By offering both in-person and virtual services, we’re able to serve patients throughout New York while making mental healthcare more convenient and accessible.

What was your inspiration for starting the business?

Throughout my career, I noticed that many patients struggled to find psychiatric care that felt personal, accessible, and comprehensive. Too often, people felt rushed through appointments or viewed as a diagnosis rather than as individuals.

I wanted to build a practice that prioritized listening, collaboration, and evidence-based treatment while embracing newer therapies and technologies that could improve patient outcomes. Mental health is incredibly personal, and every treatment plan should reflect that.

How and when did you launch the business?

After years of practicing psychiatry in both military and civilian settings, I established my private practice in New York City to create a more patient-centered model of care.

The practice has continued to grow over the years by expanding both in-office services and telepsychiatry, allowing us to reach more patients while maintaining the personalized attention that has always been central to our mission.

How is the business funded?

The practice has been bootstrapped from the beginning. Growth has been fueled primarily through patient demand and reinvestment into expanding clinical services, technology, and staff.

By focusing on sustainable growth rather than outside investment, we’ve been able to maintain our independence and prioritize patient care above all else.

How did you find your first few clients or customers?

Like many healthcare providers, the earliest patients came through professional referrals, physician networks, and word of mouth. Building trust within the medical community was incredibly important.

As the practice grew, online visibility, patient reviews, educational content, and a strong reputation for compassionate care became major drivers of new patient inquiries. Today, referrals continue to be one of our strongest sources of growth.

What was your first year in business like?

Launching a medical practice involves much more than seeing patients. The first year required balancing clinical responsibilities with building operational systems, hiring staff, managing compliance, and creating efficient workflows.

Like many entrepreneurs, I wore multiple hats. There were long days focused not only on patient care but also on learning the business side of healthcare. While challenging, those early experiences created the foundation for sustainable growth.

What strategies did you use to grow the business?

One of our biggest priorities has always been delivering exceptional patient care. When patients feel heard and supported, they naturally become advocates for the practice through referrals and positive reviews.

We also embraced telepsychiatry early, allowing us to improve access to care while offering greater flexibility for patients with busy schedules or transportation challenges.

Education has been another important growth strategy. By sharing information about mental health, reducing stigma, and discussing new treatment options through media interviews, speaking engagements, and online content, we’ve been able to connect with people who may not otherwise seek help.

Finally, we’ve continued investing in innovative treatment options while maintaining a personalized approach. Healthcare continues to evolve, and staying current allows us to provide patients with the best possible care.

What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome?

One of the biggest challenges has been keeping up with the increasing demand for quality psychiatric care while maintaining a high standard of personalized treatment. Mental healthcare needs have grown significantly in recent years, making accessibility a major issue.

Balancing growth with quality has always been a priority. We’ve focused on expanding thoughtfully so every patient continues to receive the attention and individualized care they deserve.

What have been the most significant keys to your business’s success?

Building trust has been the foundation of everything we’ve accomplished. Mental health treatment requires patients to be vulnerable and earning that trust is something we never take for granted.

Another key has been remaining open to innovation while staying grounded in evidence-based medicine. Whether through telepsychiatry, newer treatment options, or simply improving the patient experience, we’re always looking for ways to better serve our community.

Tell us about your team.

Our team includes psychiatrists, therapists, clinical support professionals, and administrative staff who work together to deliver coordinated, compassionate care.

While every team member has a different role, we’re united by the same mission: helping patients improve their mental health and overall well-being through personalized, evidence-based treatment.

What was the turning point when you knew your business was successful?

The turning point was seeing patients consistently refer their friends and family because they trusted the care they received. That level of confidence is incredibly meaningful in psychiatry.

As the practice continued to grow through referrals and long-term patient relationships, it reinforced that we were building something that truly made a difference in people’s lives.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned growing the business?

Healthcare is ultimately about relationships. Clinical expertise is essential, but listening carefully, building trust, and treating each patient as an individual are what create lasting impact.

Success follows when patient outcomes remain the highest priority.

What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs?

Focus on solving real problems and never lose sight of the people you’re serving. Growth should never come at the expense of quality.

Be willing to adapt as technology and your industry evolve but stay true to your core mission and values. Building trust takes time, but it’s the most valuable asset any business can have.

What are your future plans for the business?

Our goal is to continue expanding access to high-quality psychiatric care while incorporating innovative treatments supported by scientific research. We’ll continue investing in technology, improving the patient experience, and educating the public about mental health.

Ultimately, we want to help reduce stigma around mental illness and make compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric care accessible to more people.