Helen Lavretsky, M.D.
Professor
UCLA Semel Institute and Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital
Los Angeles, CA
Helen Lavretsky, MD, is a professor of psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at UCLA and the Semel Scholar in Integrative Mental Health. She directs a research program in late-life depression, stress, and wellness at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA. Dr. Lavretsky is a recipient of the career development and other research awards from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), and other research grants. Her current research interest is in developing mind-body approaches to the treatment and prevention of mood and cognitive disorders in older adults using medications, memory training, exercise, Tai Chi, yoga, and meditation.
After receiving her medical degree from the Moscow Medical Institute, Dr. Lavretsky performed her residency in psychiatry at the UCLA-San Fernando Valley Residency Program, followed by the UCLA Fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry and the national VA Research Fellowship in Neurosciences. She received her degree of Master of Science in Clinical Research from UCLA in 2004. She is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology with added geriatric qualifications and by the American Board of Holistic and Integrative Medicine. Furthermore, she is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a Fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology.