Sean Ackerman, MD is a psychiatrist who joined the Prairie Ridge Columbus Clinic in Winter, 2022. Dr. Ackerman received a Bachelor of Fine Arts at New York University. He completed medical school at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. He completed a psychiatry residency and fellowship at the University of Vermont in Burlington. He is board certified through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Dr. Ackerman originally wanted to pursue a career in film. “I went to film school but soon after realized I did not want to spend my life in the film industry. I was making independent films and had a job as a one-to-one aid with a boy who had autism. "It changed the way I saw the world. I was inspired by him and wanted to work in the field of autism. I spent a year at the Washington Autism Center. It seemed like it was the psychiatrists that had a role in Autism care that made the most impact."
Dr. Ackerman worked in both an inpatient and outpatient setting before coming to Prairie Ridge Health, where he specializes in child psychiatry. “It is uplifting to do this type of work, because most of the time people get better. It’s a privilege to be able to sit with people during a time that is one of their most difficult times of their life and for them to trust you and be open with you. It’s wonderful to get to know them because in this setting, they give you their true self, which is incredible.”
Dr. Ackerman’s approach to psychiatry is based on the Vermont Family Based Approach, which emphasizes health and positive lifestyle changes. “Children are deeply affected by their environment. You need to do your best to change their lives and the environment around them. While medications are sometimes helpful, they are not everything. Exercise, sleep, screen time, mental health, community involvement and school all play a role in improving emotional and behavioral health.”
Dr. Ackerman met his wife, Dr. Elizabeth Zeeck in medical school. They moved to the Madison area to be closer to family. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outside with his family and watching movies.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ackerman call 920-623-2200.
