Earl A. Burch, Jr, M.D.

Dr. Burch has been practicing psychiatry for 33 years and has been Board Certified in Adult Psychiatry for 31 years.

He has a distinguished academic career, having been on the faculty of three different medical schools. At Tulane Medial School in New Orleans, Dr. Burch achieved the rank of professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology and Adjunct Professor of Pharmacology. His research, lectures, teaching and publications have been in psychopharmacology. He has 67 publications and 7 monographs/book chapters. While at Tulane, he was a nationally known lecturer in the areas of depression, anxiety, geriatrics, and psychiatric treatment of those with physical illness.

Concurrently, during his academic career, Dr. Burch achieved a 29 year career in three different VA Medical Centers. His experience includes the following positions: Psychiatric Director of a detox unit, Medical Director of an inpatient substance abuse rehab unit, Director of Mental Health twice (in New Orleans and Columbia, SC). He also treated veterans with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by combat in the following wars: Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, the Panama Canal, Vietnam, Korea, and World War II.

Following his retirement from the VA, Dr. Burch joined Midlands Psychiatry in April 2011. He currently treats outpatients, including the elderly, provides consultation at nursing homes and at a facility with adults who have developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries.

He is certified in operating Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation equipment. This non-medication treatment directs a magnetic beam into the area of the brain to stimulate brain cells to release chemicals that counteract depression. As opposed to electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) patients remain alert without sedation and drive to and from treatment. Likewise, no memory loss occurs as in ECT.

Dr. Burch also voluntarily serves as the assistant to his Church's Bishop (non-paid ministry) and he and his wife run a 12 step spiritual Addiction Recovery Program designed by their Church. Dr. Burch respects and supports his patient's individual spiritual beliefs and when patients request, offers prayers.