#SameHere Psych
Expert Profile - Jennifer Roberts
Dr. Jennifer Roberts
MD, Integrative Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist
Board Certified in Adult Psychiatry and trained in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Completed specialized training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) at UCLA Medical Center
Trained in Integrative Medicine with the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine
Acting Medical Director roles for Clearview Women’s Center, a residential DBT program in Venice, CA, and Newport Academy, a residential dual diagnosis adolescent treatment center in Northern California
Consulting psychiatrist to Evolve Treatment Center and Clear Recovery Centers, both dual diagnosis treatment programs for adolescents
Currently accepting patients in California based virtual private practice
Dr. Jennifer Roberts’ Bio:
Dr. Jennifer Roberts is a board certified psychiatrist who embraces a holistic approach, and believes that every patient benefits from psychotherapy and mindfulness, in addition to pharmaceutical treatment. She enjoys helping her patients in creative ways, including walking sessions, yoga practice, guided meditations, and using written exercises and art when appropriate.
Dr. Roberts began her research career at Children’s Hospital in Oakland and earned her medical degree at the prestigious Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. She completed her psychiatry residency training at Los Angeles County USC Medical Center, where in addition to working with diverse populations and gaining expertise in psychopharmacology, she excelled in psychotherapy, including expert training in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) at Harbor UCLA Medical Center. She also completed training in child and adolescent psychiatry at Cedars Sinai Medical Center, and in using evidence-based complementary medicine with the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine.
Dr. Roberts has presented research internationally, and enjoyed teaching medical students and residents as adjunct faculty at USC Keck School of Medicine. In addition to building her private practice, she has worked as acting Medical Director of Clearview Women’s Center, a residential DBT program in Los Angeles, and of Newport Academy, a dual diagnosis residential treatment program for adolescents in Northern California.
What life events or challenges that you’ve experienced (could be minor, could be major) – whether you’ve experienced them directly or via someone close to you, have had any type of impact on your desire to pursue a career in psychiatry?
I grew up a star soccer player from the age of four and my life was turned upside down by an injury when I was sixteen. I was forced to pick up the pieces at a young tender age and this was the first of the many bumps along the road I have experienced in my life. I’ve learned so much from my journey. I’ve been working on self improvement since I was a teenager, and in addition to the expertise I have acquired in training, I love to share my knowledge and tools for healing with others.
How did those events impact you emotionally/morally? How, if at all did those events impact the way you view how our current system teaches us to treat patients with mental health challenges?
I have had hard times just like anyone else. I know that there are times when things feel unbearable, and I’ve crawled out from those dark places. We all have feelings, and some of us are better regulated or programmed differently than others. It is how we deal with situations that helps us move through them. Everyone needs support during tough times. This process is not exclusive.
When and why did you decide to actually focus on practicing Integrative Psychiatry, specifically, and how was your decision shaped by the experiences above?
I have always been interested in spirituality, and the mind-body connection. Those of us who know, know there is more than Western medicine and the current constraints of our medical system. Wellness is so much more than a list of symptoms. We are all individuals with our own needs and desires, which range through all different modalities and practices. As an integrative psychiatrist, I have the opportunity to help people use more than medication to achieve wellness. I love to explore wellness therapies and use my intuition to help my patients create their life worth living.
What methods or practices do you utilize to help individuals get/feel better?
We start with a comprehensive review of your mental health and medical history to review what your brain and body have been through. This includes lifestyle review and suggestions. In treatment, I offer medications when necessary at the lowest effective doses and for the minimum amount of time required. I provide psychoeducation and psychotherapy, including teaching mindfulness exercises, grounding techniques, meditation practice, yoga, exercise and tools to help you achieve joy. I offer supplement review and recommendations, and referrals to my personally reviewed network of wellness providers.
How did people react when you share this Integrative/Holistic approach with them – whether it be patients or other doctors?
My patients love it! Truth is, I have never fit in with the general medical community.
Contact:
Organization: Jennifer Elle Roberts, M.D., APC
Location: Orinda, CA 94563 (practicing virtually to California residents)
Telephone: (415) 715-9499
Email: dr.roberts@drjenroberts.com
Website: www.drjenroberts.com
