Skip to main content
Helen Lavretsky, MD, Psychiatry, Los Angeles, CA

Helen Lavretsky MD MS (She/Her)

Psychiatry•Los Angeles, CA

Geriatric Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatry, Psychopharmacology, Integrative Psychiatry

Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA Directs the Late Life Mood, Stress, and Wellness Research Program at the Semel Institute at UCLA Directs Integrative Psychiatry Directs Post-COVID clinic Directs Research integrative Medicine collaborative

Join to view full profile

  • 300 UCLA Medical PlzSte 2200Los Angeles, CA 90095

  • Phone+1 310-794-4619

  • Fax+1 310-206-4399

Dr. Lavretsky is on Doximity

As a Doximity member, you’ll join more than three million U.S. healthcare professionals—including 85+% of physicians, and 2/3 of all NPs and PAs—in a private, secure network.

  • Gain access to free telehealth tools, such as our “call shielding” and one-way patient texting.
  • Connect with colleagues in the same hospital or clinic.
  • Read the latest clinical news, personalized to your specialty.
See Dr. Lavretsky's full profileAlready have an account?

Summary

  • Dr. Helen Lavretsky is a Psychiatry specialist based in Los Angeles, CA, with subspecialties in Geriatric Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatry, Psychopharmacology, and Integrative Psychiatry. She completed her psychiatry residency and geriatric psychiatry fellowship at UCLA. Dr. Lavretsky directs the Post-Covid clinic since 2021 and is experienced in integrative psychiatry, mood and cognitive disorders, neuropsychiatry, and preventive health. Her research includes numerous publications in prestigious journals and clinical trials focusing on geriatrics and mood disorders. She has received several honors, including the CMS Meaningful Use Certification and recognition as a Fellow by the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology and Distinguished Fellow by the American Psychiatric Association.

Education & Training

  • UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine/UCLA Medical Center
    UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine/UCLA Medical CenterFellowship, Geriatric Psychiatry, 1994 - 1996
  • UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine/UCLA Medical Center/VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
    UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine/UCLA Medical Center/VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare SystemResidency, Psychiatry, 1991 - 1995
  • IM Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy
    IM Sechenov Moscow Medical AcademyClass of 1985

Certifications & Licensure

  • CA State Medical License
    CA State Medical License 1992 - 2028
  • Psychiatry
    American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Psychiatry
  • Geriatric Psychiatry
    American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Geriatric Psychiatry

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

  • CMS Meaningful Use Stage 1 Certification EpicCare Ambulatory 2014 Certified EHR Suite, Epic Systems Corporation, 2014, 2016
  • Fellow American College of Neuropsychopahrmacology, 2015
  • Top 10 papers in Psychiatry 2015 New England Journal of Medicine, 2015

Clinical Trials

Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Journal Articles

  • Yoga and Meditation Can Help Improve Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia  
    Helen Lavretsky, MD, The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
  • Neurocognitive Correlates of Resilience in Late-Life Depression  
    Helen Lavretsky, MD, The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry

Books/Book Chapters

  • Complementary and Integrative Therapies for Mental Health and Aging 
    Lavretsky HEditors: Lavretsky H, Sajatovic M, Reynolds CF, EDS.Oxford University Press, New YorkEdition 1,2016

Authored Content

  • Yoga and Meditation Can Help Improve Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment and DementiaNovember 2018
  • Community-Based Acupunch Exercise Program Improves Physical Health and Quality of Sleep in Taiwanese Older AdultsFebruary 2018
  • Community-Based Acupunch Exercise Program Improves Physical Health and Quality of Sleep in Taiwanese Older AdultsFebruary 2018

Press Mentions

  • Groundbreaking Scientific Review Paper Links Air Pollution and Alzheimer's and Offers a Preventive Plan
    Groundbreaking Scientific Review Paper Links Air Pollution and Alzheimer's and Offers a Preventive PlanNovember 6th, 2025
  • 7 Ways to Beat Stress and Lower Your Cortisol Levels After 50
    7 Ways to Beat Stress and Lower Your Cortisol Levels After 50October 6th, 2025
  • UCLA Researchers to Participate in Key Sessions at American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting
    UCLA Researchers to Participate in Key Sessions at American Psychiatric Association Annual MeetingMay 16th, 2025

Grant Support

  • Mentoring and Research in Translational Science of Integrative MedicineUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES2016–2029
  • Remote Tai Chi for Knee Osteoarthritis: an Embedded Pragmatic TrialTUFTS MEDICAL CENTER2023–2028
  • Neurobiological Mechanisms Of Treatment Response In Geriatric DepressionNational Institute Of Mental Health2010–2012
  • Methylphenidate Use To Improve Outcomes In Geriatric DepressionNational Institute Of Mental Health2008–2012
  • Tai Chi Chih: Complementary Use To Achieve Remission In Geriatric DepressionNational Center For Research Resources2010

Committees

  • President, American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry 2023 - Present

Research History

  • ProfessorProfessor of Psychiatry in- Residence, UCLA1999 - Present

Professional Memberships

Other Languages

  • Russian

Viewing the full profile is available to verified healthcare professionals only.

Find your profile and take control of your online presence:

Dr. Helen Lavretsky, Dr. Helen Lavretsky, MD, Dr. H Lavretsky