Areas of expertise
Stress and stress-related disorders
I have extensive clinical and research experience working with people suffering from stress or stress-related disorders. During my PhD at King’s College London, I developed new technology to measure stress markers and founded a company focused on helping patients better monitor stress levels. My approach to treating stress is based on my clinical insight and research, and I’ve helped many patients find long-term solutions to managing the stress in their lives without relying on medication.
I understand how fragile and exhausted people under high-stress feel. Typically, they struggle with making decisions and completing everyday tasks and suffer from physical pain, poor sleep, and changes in their appetite. Unfortunately, we can’t avoid stress. Most of the time, stress is a normal and healthy reaction to life’s challenges; the real problem is usually how we try to deal with it. My approach focuses on changing how you respond to stress, understanding the triggers, and teaching strategies to change how you react. My research taught me that lifestyle changes are key to managing stress, and building healthy habits will give you the confidence to manage stress independently.
Mood disorders
I’m passionate about helping people with mood disorders (such as depression, dysthymia and bipolar disorder). I gained experience treating these conditions at some of the most prestigious clinical psychiatric institutes and medical centres globally, including the National Affective Disorder Unit at Maudsley Hospital, King’s College London, and the Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona.
My clinical experience has taught me to be cautious about making diagnoses, as complex symptoms can also be due to stressful life circumstances or factors in our environment. Rather than focusing on diagnostic labels, I want to build a holistic understanding of you as a unique individual.
I believe a comprehensive assessment is essential to identify the nature of the problem and the most effective treatment plan for you. If your environment is a contributing factor, I’ll help you to make changes to your lifestyle or routine. My research has taught me that optimising our daily schedule to our body’s natural rhythm can have a profound effect on improving mental health. I understand it can be challenging to do so on your own, but I’ll provide you with advice and strategies tailored to your routine, work, and home life.
My approach to treatment
I understand that you might feel anxious about seeking help and unsure of what to expect. Although seeking treatment from a psychiatrist is often a last resort, I want to reassure you that I’m here to support you and guide you on your journey to recovery. We are both human, and experiencing stress, trauma, or challenges that lead to mental health difficulties is a normal and common part of life. I empathise and understand how distressing these experiences can be, which is why I’m here to listen to your problems carefully without any judgement or prejudice.
I take a collaborative approach, working together as a team throughout your treatment. During the first consultation, I want to hear your story from your perspective and will encourage you to lead the session if you feel comfortable doing so. I find the time we spend talking face-to-face far more valuable than filling out forms or checklists. I want you to feel truly understood, and believe this is the first crucial step in working together. Often, I’ll take my time in providing a diagnosis to ensure it’s accurate, as everyone has a unique history and unique problems.
I always follow the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, but I believe going beyond diagnoses and labels allows us to treat your problems in a more personalised way. My extensive research experience and clinical insight means I can intuitively help you identify and address the causes of your problems. Secondly, I will help you find answers and solutions to these problems with a personalised treatment plan.
I typically integrate the following approaches in personalised treatment plans, depending on the needs and preferences of each individual:
- Medical assessment: diagnosis and assessment of mental health conditions.
- Psychoeducation: psychological education explaining what your diagnoses and symptoms mean and how they fit in the context of your life. Providing clear and digestible information in plain language helps to overcome many patients' concerns, and this understanding will give more meaning to the treatment plan and therapeutic process.
- Psychotherapy: although I’m not a psychotherapist, I have training in psychoanalysis. During treatment, I often integrate strategies from psychotherapy approaches to help you understand yourself better. If I think you’ll benefit from a course of therapy sessions, I can refer you to a qualified therapist to ensure you receive specialist support.
- Medication: the need for medication will be assessed depending on the severity of symptoms and your personal preferences.
- Lifestyle interventions: optimising your daily schedule to your body’s natural rhythm can have a profound effect on improving mental health. I provide evidence-based and personalised advice to improve your sleep, diet, physical activity, and daily routine.
Medication
As a doctor, I believe it’s important to prescribe medication when needed and appropriate. I understand that many people feel uncomfortable taking medications for mental health conditions. Similar to diabetes or high blood pressure, patients with mental health conditions benefit from holistic treatment plans that combine medication with evidence-based interventions, such as therapy or exercise.
Although medication alone is unlikely to treat the cause of the condition, it can significantly alleviate symptoms. The benefit of using medication is that it allows us to focus on addressing the root cause and developing a holistic treatment plan that provides you with the best chance of long-term recovery.
Before prescribing medication, I will discuss my recommendations based on your symptoms and the latest clinical evidence and guidelines. I will also consider your lifestyle and personal preferences, explaining the benefits and any possible side effects.
Education & Training
I’m a General Adult Psychiatrist with over 15 years of clinical experience working in the UK, Chile, and Spain. I’m registered with the General Medical Council (GMC, UK) and affiliated to the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RPsych, UK). In addition to my specialist psychiatry training, I hold a PhD in the Neurobiology of Mood Disorders and an MSc in Psychiatric Research from King’s College London.
I worked as a general adult psychiatrist in the Complex Depression, Anxiety & Trauma (CDAT) Clinic at Camden & Islington NHS Foundation Trust, and in the Forensic Psychiatry team at Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust. I’m also Visiting Lecturer for two of the most prestigious universities in the world, teaching students at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London. Previously, I have worked across a wide range of clinical settings in NHS Trusts, Emergency Psychiatry Clinics in Hospitals, and Specialist Mental Health Services in Barcelona and Chile. I also undertook a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at University College London, working in the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Brain Disease.
Regarding my clinical training, I completed my Clinical Fellowship in General Adult Psychiatry at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust in 2019, one of the global training schemes for psychiatry. I received the Highest Distinction in Postgraduate General Adult Psychiatry from University Psychiatric Clinic at the Universidad de Chile in 2007, completed an Elective in Liaison in Psychiatry at Universitat de Barcelona in 2004, and finished my medical training at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile in 2003.
As part of my academic career, I’ve authored and co-authored over 30 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals, two book chapters on bipolar disorder, and published a book on depression and sexual disorders. My research has been covered by news outlets such as The Guardian, The Statesman, BBC News, and Fox News. I’m also an Editor for two peer-reviewed academic journals, Frontiers in Psychiatry and Brain Science. I enjoy disseminating my research and have spoken at multiple national and international conferences on stress, anxiety, and mood disorders.
I hold the following qualifications and certifications:
- Clinical Fellowship in Psychiatry from South London & Maudsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (2019)
- Affiliated to the Royal College of Psychiatrists (2018)
- Registered medical doctor with the General Medical Council (2017)
- PhD in Neurobiology of Mood Disorders from King’s College London (2016)
- MSc in Psychiatric Research from King’s College London (2012)
- Member of the Chilean Society of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosciences (2007)
- Medical Degree (MBBS) (2004)
- Bachelor´s in Science (1997)
Personal interests
I love cooking and am fascinated by the sociological meaning of food in different cultures. My mother was a great cook, and watching her cook meals for our family in Chile emphasised the importance of sharing food with loved ones. I also love animals, particularly my dogs. Growing up, I originally wanted to be a vet before deciding to become a psychiatrist.
Finally, I enjoy running to keep fit – although I didn’t enjoy it much when I first started! However, I learnt to overcome my initial dislike for running by experiencing its beneficial effect on my mood and physical health.
