Education, Training and Experience:

  • Board Certified in Adult Psychiatry

  • Staff Psychiatrist with Lifestance Health: Providing direct clinical care, supervising Nurse Practitioners, consulting with therapists and Primary Care doctors within Integrated Behavioral Health program

  • Staff Psychiatrist with Palo Alto Medical Foundation: Providing direct clinical care, collaborating with therapists and Primary Care doctors

  • Consulting Psychiatrist: Rainbow Study Treating Depression in Primary Care patients, Palo Alto Medical Foundation

  • Supervising Psychiatrist for New York University Psychiatry residents, NY VA Harbor Healthcare System (2007-2009)

  • Teaching New York University medical students on PTSD clerkship, NY VA Harbor Healthcare System (2007-2009)

  • Chief Resident in Psychiatry (2006-2007)

  • Clinical Instructor of Psychiatry, New York Medical College (2006-2007)

  • Psychiatry Residency: St. Vincent’s Hospital, New York City (New York Medical College)

  • MD from Wake Forest University School of Medicine

    Research Publications:

  • Lv, N., Xiao, L., Majd, M., Lavori, P.W., Smyth, J.M., Rosas, L.G., Venditti, E.M., Snowden, M.B., Lewis, M.A., Ward, E., Lesser, L., Williams, L.M., Azar, K.M., Ma, J. Variability in engagement and progress in efficacious integrated collaborative care for primary care patients with obesity and depression: Within-treatment analysis in the RAINBOW trial. April 21, 2020. PLoS ONE 15(4): e0231743. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0231743

  • Ma, J., Xiao, L., LV, N., Rosas, L.G., Lewis, M.A., Goldhaber-Fiebert, J.D., Venditti, E. M., Snowden, M.B., Lesser, L., Ward, E. Profiles of sociodemographic, behavioral, clinical and psychosocial characteristics among primary care patients with comorbid obesity and depression.  Preventive Medicine Reports. Aug 5, 2017, 8: 42-50. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335517301225?via%3Dihub

My Approach:

I am a Board Certified Adult Psychiatrist with over 16 years of experience treating patients. I emphasize an evidence-based, holistic approach. With a thorough consideration of biological, psychological and social factors, I help my patients consider the treatment options and make informed decisions about their care. I provide medication management and psychotherapy, and believe that a combination of both yields the best results. I take an eclectic approach, having training in various therapy modalities including insight oriented therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD, and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. I am well versed in the latest evidence-based psychopharmacologic treatments. It is my privilege to assist you in reaching your highest state of well being through active listening, empathy, and maintaining a trusted connection.