KRISTINA LOU, PA
Medication Management / Psychiatric Consultation
Kristina is a nationally certified psychiatry physician assistant licensed in the state of California. Kristina performs a thorough assessment by carefully listening to each person's story, asking questions to help identify areas to focus on, explaining the process and answering questions so that each person feels confident in what to expect. She values people's individual priorities and tailors the decision making process to meet each person's unique circumstances.
Kristina enjoys working with people who appreciate an authentic clinician so that they can in turn feel comfortable being authentic themselves. Her style is particularly valuable to those who may be fearful of starting a medication and need someone to help walk them through the process. With the help of the right patient and caring provider, people who were considering medication, but unsure of what to expect will most often say that they wish they'd come in sooner.
Kristina received her Master of Physician Assistant Practice degree from USC, Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics degree from Tufts University School of Medicine, Master of Biomedical Sciences degree from Tufts University School of Medicine, and Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience from Tulane University. She has extensive clinical research experience with and over a dozen peer-reviewed publications.
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If you are wondering what a psychiatry physician assistant is, you are not alone. Essentially, a psych PA manages psychiatric conditions using psychotropic medications and psychotherapeutic techniques. A psych PA works collaboratively with a psychiatrist, and will act as the primary provider for patients by diagnosing psychiatric conditions, starting and maintaining psychotropic medications when appropriate, monitoring treatment progress, and working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to help people get the best results. This often involves working closely with the psychotherapist, as well as other specialists, such as a primary care provider, endocrinologist, or neurologist.