Patricia Gerbarg, M.D.

Patricia L. Gerbarg, M.D., Assistant Clinical Professor in Psychiatry, New York Medical College, graduated from Brown University (1971), Harvard Medical School (1975), Beth Israel Psychiatry Residency program in Boston (1979), and the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute (1992). Dr. Gerbarg has lectured and taught about a wide range of topics in psychiatry, psychoanalysis, women’s issues, trauma, neurobiology, natural treatments (herbs, nutrients ), and the integration of mind-body practices in psychotherapy for the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Meetings and many other conferences, academic centers, and community organizations. She serves on the APA Caucus on Complementary and Integrative Psychiatry and is a board member of the American Botanical Council.

Dr. Gerbarg practices Integrative Psychiatry, combining standard and complementary treatments. Her research focuses on mind-body practices for reducing the effects of stress and trauma, particularly in survivors of mass disasters, including the Southeast Asia Tsunami, 9/11 World Trade Center attacks, 2010 earthquake in Haiti, war in Sudan, Gulf Horizon Oil Spill, veterans, and stress-related medical illnesses.

With Dr. Richard P. Brown she has co-authored over 40 scientific articles, book chapters, and health books on complementary and integrative treatments. In The Rhodiola Revolution, they present the scientific basis for the health benefits of an adaptogen herb in the context of a five-step holistic approach to reducing stress and maintaining energy. Their award-winning books include, How to use Herbs, Nutrients, and Yoga in Mental Health Care (WW Norton 2009), Non-Drug Treatments for ADHD (WW Norton 2012) and The Healing Power of the Breath. Using the CD included with The Healing Power of the Breath book (Shambhala, 2012) readers can learn simple techniques to reduce stress and anxiety, enhance concentration, and balance emotions. Dr. Gerbarg’s chapter, “Yoga and Neuro-Psychoanalysis,” appeared in Bodies in Treatment: the Unspoken Dimension (Analytic Press 2007). Mind-Body Practices for Recovery from Sexual Trauma in A Guide to Recovery and Empowerment was published in 2011 (Rowman & Littlefield). Her most recent book chapters, being published in 2014 include: “Mind-Body Practices and the Neuro-Psychology of Well-being” by P.L. Gerbarg, L. Gootjes and R.P. Brown in Religion and Spirituality Across Cultures (Springer); “Nutrients, Phytomedicines, and Mind-Body Practices for Substance Abuse” by P.L. Gerbarg and R.P. Brown in Textbook of Addiction Treatment: International Perspectives; and Rhodiola Rosea by P.L. Gerbarg, P.A. Illig, and R.P. Brown in Traditional Herbal Medicines for Modern Times.

In addition to her clinical practice of psychiatry, Dr. Gerbarg provides consultation and clinical supervision and facilitates the development of research projects on the health benefits of mind-body practices. Her interest is the integration of psychiatry, standard medicine, mind-body treatments, nutrients and medicinal herbs to promote healthy living, disease prevention, and more effective treatments for stress, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.