Integrative Psychiatry for Weight Management and Emotional Health in California

Whole-person care for mind, metabolism, and mood

Are you struggling with your weight and mental well-being?

You’re not alone – and it’s not a personal failing. As an integrative psychiatrist in California, I understand that physical health and mental health are deeply connected.

Issues like weight gain, emotional eating, depression, anxiety, and trauma often fuel each other in a difficult cycle. Research shows that treating obesity can reduce symptoms of depression, and conversely, improving mental health can aid weight loss.

That’s why I offer comprehensive, nonjudgmental care that integrates medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, and innovative treatments — helping you achieve a healthy weight and a healthy mind.

Understanding the Weight–Mental Health Connection

Weight concerns and mental health challenges often go hand-in-hand. Feeling depressed or anxious can trigger emotional eating — and gaining weight can in turn worsen self-esteem, mood, and energy.

Trauma, stress, and emotional pain can drive compulsive or binge eating patterns. Many people use food to self-soothe — especially during difficult times. It’s not weakness. It’s human.

The good news? When we treat the emotional and biological causes together, that cycle breaks. With an integrative plan, you can heal your relationship with food, body, and self — one step at a time.

Medication Management with a Holistic Perspective

Medication can be a helpful tool — not a standalone solution. In my integrative approach, we use medications when appropriate, always in combination with therapy, lifestyle changes, and emotional support.

GLP-1 Medications: Semaglutide and related drugs can aid weight loss and may reduce depression and anxiety in some patients.
Psychiatric Medications: When depression or anxiety contributes to weight issues, we treat both together — carefully choosing medications that support your overall goals.
Dual-Effect Options: Some medications, like bupropion-naltrexone (Contrave), help with both mood and appetite control.
Personalized Support: We monitor for emotional side effects and adjust medications based on your unique biology, using genetic testing when helpful.

My goal is always to find the gentlest, most effective combination for your mind and body — and to adjust it as you grow.

Psychotherapy and Lifestyle Coaching for Lasting Change

True transformation comes from combining insight with action. In our work together, you’ll gain emotional clarity, new coping skills, and sustainable lifestyle routines — all rooted in compassion.

Trauma-Informed Therapy

CBT, ACT, and EMDR to heal emotional wounds, reduce food-based coping, and reframe self-worth.

Sleep & Mood Support

Poor sleep affects appetite and energy. We build a restful routine that supports both weight and well-being.

Movement as Medicine

Gentle, enjoyable movement to boost mood, regulate stress hormones, and reconnect with your body.

Stress & Structure Coaching

Daily routine planning, stress reduction, and accountability so you can build momentum — one habit at a time.

Coaching + therapy = lifelong skills. You’ll create lasting change without shame — just clarity, structure, and support.

Nutritional Counseling, Therapeutic Diets, and Herbal Medicine

Nutrition isn’t just about weight — it shapes your mood, hormones, and energy. Together, we’ll create an eating style that works for your body and mind.

Anti-Inflammatory Focus: Mediterranean-style foods to support metabolism, mood, and gut health.
Therapeutic Diets: Low-glycemic, elimination, or high-protein plans adapted to your needs — never one-size-fits-all.
Herbal Support: Adaptogens (ashwagandha, rhodiola), omega-3s, or gentle botanicals for mood, cravings, and stress.
Practical Coaching: Easy swaps, meal structure, and supplement guidance — without restriction or shame.

Food can heal — and herbs can gently support you along the way. We’ll use both, with a plan that’s realistic and effective.

Advanced Testing: Hormones, Gut Health, and Genetic Insights

If standard approaches haven’t worked, we go deeper. These personalized tests uncover hidden factors that influence your weight, energy, and mood — so we can treat the root, not just the symptoms.

Hormonal Testing

Thyroid (TSH, Free T3, Free T4, antibodies)
Cortisol & adrenal profiles for stress patterns
Reproductive hormones (estrogen, testosterone)

Gut & Metabolic Health

Stool testing for microbiome imbalances
Vitamin/mineral status (B12, D, iron, omega-3s)
Markers of inflammation and insulin resistance

Genetic Testing

Pharmacogenomics for medication response
Gene-based nutrition + metabolism insights
MTHFR, FTO, and other variants that affect care

We’ll choose the right tests together — and use the results to guide precision treatment that works for your body, mind, and biology.

Mind-Body Medicine and Stress Reduction

These practices calm your nervous system, lower cortisol, and reduce emotional reactivity — giving you tools to manage stress, cravings, and mood swings with compassion and control.

Mindfulness Meditation

Reduces binge eating and emotional reactivity. Enhances self-awareness and calm.

Breathwork

Simple, structured breathing lowers cortisol and regulates mood in minutes.

Yoga and Gentle Movement

Combines exercise and mindfulness. Boosts mood, body awareness, and metabolic balance.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Releases tension, enhances body-mind connection, and supports sleep and digestion.

Guided Imagery & Visualization

Retrains mental habits and helps shift patterns of stress eating or inner criticism.

Biofeedback & Calm Tech

HRV, apps, and smart tools for training your nervous system in real-time.

These skills empower you to feel safer in your body — and more in control of how you respond to stress, cravings, and emotion.

Integrating Psychedelic Experiences (Ketamine and More)

Psychedelic therapies are gaining ground as powerful tools for depression, trauma, and emotional healing. I offer safe, ethical support for ketamine therapy and post-journey integration.

Ketamine-Assisted Therapy: Rapid relief for depression, PTSD, or emotional inertia — coordinated with trusted local clinics.
Integration Support: If you’ve undergone a legal psychedelic experience, we help translate insights into grounded healing and action.
Psychedelics & Emotional Eating: Some clients report reduced cravings or renewed self-compassion — we explore this gently and thoughtfully.
Safe, Trauma-Informed Care: No hype, no pressure — just an invitation to explore your experience in a supported space.

Psychedelics aren’t a magic bullet — but they can open meaningful doors. If you’ve walked through one, I’m here to help you walk the rest of the way with clarity and care.

Compassionate, Personalized Care for Your Journey

You deserve care that sees the whole you — body, mind, metabolism, emotion, and spirit. In this solo practice, you’re not just another case. You’re a person, and you will be met with compassion, curiosity, and respect.

If you're ready to explore a more integrative approach to weight and mental health, I'd be honored to walk with you. Together, we’ll build a plan that actually works — for your biology, your lifestyle, and your life.

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