Expert Psychiatric Care Across California
Welcome to Leo Psychiatry. Discover the strength you’ve always held through expert, evidence-based mental health care. I offer individualized psychiatric evaluations and medication management, providing both face-to-face appointments and convenient telehealth sessions for patients anywhere in California.
Hello;
I am Dr. Nadia Barati, M.D, a psychiatrist, certified by American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN).
My Path to Psychiatry
My journey to psychiatry was inspired by a lifelong love of art. Growing up in a family of creatives-painters,calligraphers and poets-I developed a keen eye for detail and a passion for creating harmony. As a portrait painter since childhood, I learned to observe subtle nuances and strive for balance.
Initially, I was drawn to the precision of plastic surgery, viewing it as a way to craft outward beauty. However, my interest shiftted as I began exploring my sister’s library of psychology books, including the works of Freud and Sartre. I realized my true calling was not to alter physical body, but to tend to the human mind.
Today, this background gives me a deep understanding of psychosomatic presentations-how our subconscious struggles can translate into physical symptoms, and conversely, how physical health impacts our mental well-being. Having worked in a variety of settings with patients from diverse cultures and backgrounds, I bring a broad, inclusive perspective to my practice.
Resilience Through Experience
Coming from a background marked by revolution, war,and severe restrictions, I learned early on that life is rarely a smooth sail. Experiencing these challenges firsthand gave me a profound, personal understanding of trauma.
However, my journey was defined not by what was lost, but by the power of resilience and the pursuit of meaning and purpose in spite of adversity. My passion is to walk alongside my patients as they find their own paths from survival to thriving, ultimately becoming the best version of themselves.
Clinical Background & Expertise
Residency: University of Connecticut Health Center, Psychiatry Residency
Medical School: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
Board: Certified by American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
I started medical school at 17 and received my MD at 24 years of age. I accumulated a decade of widespread medical experience before deciding to specialize in psychiatry in the USA. My clinical background includes specialized work across various complex presentations:
Trauma & PTSD: Extensive experience in dedicated PTSD clinics, using targeted medication management and trauma-informed care.
Student Mental Health: My award-winning specialized work with medical, dental, and PhD students, focusing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and medication management tailored to high-stress academic environments.
Mood Disorders: Comprehensive research-based treatment for Bipolar Disorder and Depression.
Anxiety & OCD: Targeted therapeutic and pharmacological interventions for severe anxiety-related conditions.
I have deep interest and a huge research and studies in personality disorders, especially pathologic narcissistic personality disorders.
Leveraging my background in award-winning research into adult ADHD, I offer multi-step diagnostic evaluations for complex focus concerns and executive dysfunction. This service is designed for individuals seeking deep diagnostic accuracy and holistic management, rather than fast-tracked medication pathways.
Fluent in English and Persian (Farsi)
I know it requires immense self-awareness and courage to see a psychiatrist for the first time, or to give treatment another chance after disappointing experiences in the past.
Dr. Nadia Barati
One of my works when I was 12 years old