About Me

Hi, my name is Dr. Serena, and I am a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist. I am also board-certified in adult psychiatry, and a diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine. I treat both adults and children, and look forward to working with you in the future.

Biography

I grew up in the beautiful Napa Valley, and came to Southern California to attend medical school at Loma Linda University, where I also did my residency training in adult psychiatry. I became interested in child and adolescent psychiatry as a medical student. I found it rewarding to work with young people, and the emphasis on family systems and focus on development provided a unique perspective on my work with adults. I did my fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at UC Irvine. Prior to joining Kaiser, I had the wonderful opportunity to work for several years with Orange County Mental Health in Juvenile Hall.

About my practice

I think a good treatment plan starts with taking the time to understand an individual's story. From there, we can decide together whether medicines might be helpful. Frequently, effective treatment involves collaboration with an interdisciplinary team.

How I thrive

Life balance is important to me. For relaxation, I love going to the beach, catching up with my girlfriends, and losing myself in a great novel.