Welcome to Fort Bend Psychiatry

Dr. Shannon Sniff, M.D.

Fort Bend Psychiatry

is a Missouri City Psychiatric Clinic dedicated to providing quality care for children, teens, and adults. Dr. Shannon L. Sniff, M.D., founded Fort Bend Psychiatry with the mission to provide individualized, effective, and empathetic evaluation and treatment for patients 4 years of age and older. Dr. Sniff is Board Certified in both General Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. She has extensive experience across a variety of ages, demographics, and settings. Dr. Sniff draws upon that knowledge to arrive at the best treatment plan for each of her patients.

At Fort Bend Psychiatry, we understand that the circumstances that often lead to seeking psychiatric help may be sensitive in nature. One of our primary goals is to provide a thorough evaluation, educational materials, and answers to many of your questions. We hope to make your experience at our clinic a positive one.

As a leading Missouri City Psychiatrist, Dr. Sniff has expertise in treating the following psychiatric conditions:

  • Anxiety: Generalized Anxiety, Panic Disorder, OCD
  • Mood Disorders: Bipolar Disorder, Depression
  • ADD/ADHD
  • Postpartum Anxiety and Postpartum Mood Disorders
  • Autism Spectrum Disorders, including Asperger’s Syndrome
  • Trauma: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Tourette’s Syndrome
  • Sleep Disorders

What is a Psychiatrist?

Psychiatrists are physicians who completed college and then attended medical school to obtain a Doctor of Medicine degree. All physicians are required to receive the same general medical training during medical school. They must then complete a residency and/or fellowship in a particular field, such as Psychiatry, Pediatrics, or Family Medicine. Child Psychiatrists, like Dr. Sniff, have completed at least 3 years of residency in General Psychiatry, and then 2 years of specialized training in a Child Psychiatry fellowship. Child Psychiatrists are experts in treating children, adolescents, and adults. As a Missouri City psychiatrist, Dr. Sniff aspires to provide the highest quality of care to her patients in the Missouri City, Sugar Land, Houston, and surrounding areas. During her training, Dr. Sniff completed rotations in pediatrics, internal medicine, family medicine, adolescent medicine, neurology, pediatric neurology, inpatient psychiatry (child, adult, and geriatric), forensic psychiatry, residential treatment, addiction psychiatry, emergency psychiatry, outpatient psychiatry (child, adult, and geriatric), developmental disorders, school consultation, and psychotherapy.

What are the differences between a Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Therapist, and Counselor?

  • Psychiatrists are medical doctors, as described above, who diagnose psychiatric conditions, manage medical issues, prescribe medications, and provide psychotherapy. The practice of using medications to treat psychiatric conditions is referred to as “psychopharmacotherapy.” Because they are also medical doctors, psychiatrists may order lab work or other tests to monitor progress. Psychiatrists also collaborate with other medical doctors, such as pediatricians, neurologists, endocrinologists, and family medicine doctors, in order to provide the best medical care.
  • Psychologists have also completed post-graduate training, but in a different setting than psychiatrists. They have completed a doctoral program that is non-medical. Psychologists often specialize in administering specialized diagnostic testing as well as therapy in a variety of settings. They do not prescribe medications, but their services are very important.
  • Therapists / Counselors have usually completed post-graduate training in a Master’s program, and there are a variety of licensures that can be obtained. The terms “therapist” and “counselor” are often used interchangeably. Therapists and counselors typically focus on providing psychotherapy, or counseling, to individuals, families, couples, or groups, in a variety of settings and specialties.
  • The most important thing to understand is that Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and Therapists all provide an integral service to those who seek their help. They are all considered mental health professionals. Oftentimes, an individual is best served by working with a combination of all three, since medication, diagnostic testing, and therapy may each be necessary. In most cases, an individual can start by seeking help from one type of professional and then be referred to another professional if indicated.