Kavitha Kolappa, MD
Psychiatrist
She/Her
Kavitha Kolappa, MD, MPH, is a board-certified Adult psychiatrist specializing in the public health implications of brain/body medicine. A North Carolina native, Dr. Kolappa has lived and worked abroad in several contexts including Cuba, India, Tanzania, South Africa, and Switzerland. She has worked in various capacities with the Global Health Council, International Rescue Committee, Médecins Sans Frontières (aka Doctors Without Borders), and Universities Allied for Essential Medicines. She has also consulted extensively for the World Health Organization’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Use. Most recently, she was the lead author of WHO's seminal position paper, "Optimizing brain health across the life course," which was released in 2022.
Dr. Kolappa was a Robertson Scholar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she received a BA in International Studies. She received her MD from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and her MPH from the Harvard School of Public Health. She completed her psychiatry residency training at the Massachusetts General and McLean Hospitals, and her academic interests include the brain/body interface, evolutionary neuropsychiatry, and the social determinants of health.
Qualifications
Areas of Focus
Dr. Kolappa has extensive experience working in global mental health, both on the systems and the individual level. In particular, she has expertise in the interconnectedness of the body and the mind and how these manifest in individuals, including through conditions labeled as depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and PTSD and trauma-related disorders. Dr Kolappa’s additional areas of interest and focus include stress management, conflict resolution, mindfulness, stress and burnout related to international development and intergovernmental work, and intergenerational trauma and resilience.
Training and Education
- Psychiatry residency (Massachusetts General Hospital, McLean Hospital)
- Doctor of Medicine (Johns Hopkins)
- Masters in Public Health (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health)
- Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
Areas of Focus
Dr. Kolappa has extensive experience working in global mental health, both on the systems and the individual level. In particular, she has expertise in the interconnectedness of the body and the mind and how these manifest in individuals, including through conditions labeled as depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and PTSD and trauma-related disorders. Dr Kolappa’s additional areas of interest and focus include stress management, conflict resolution, mindfulness, stress and burnout related to international development and intergovernmental work, and intergenerational trauma and resilience.
Training and Education
- Psychiatry residency (Massachusetts General Hospital, McLean Hospital)
- Doctor of Medicine (Johns Hopkins)
- Masters in Public Health (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health)
- Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
Being Health Questions
What should a new client know about working with you?
I believe in an integrated, whole-person approach to mental health, which means that in our work together we will use a wide variety of tools (including psychotherapy, mindfulness, emphasizing the brain/body connection, and when needed, medications). I look forward to working with you in a safe, non judgmental environment that focuses on your own personal goals for yourself and your life.
Do you have experience working with any specific types of patients?
I have worked in a wide variety of mental health care settings, and as such have experience managing common mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, and trauma-related conditions. I also have experience working in brain/body medicine addressing the mental health of people with physical health conditions.
What do you find most interesting about Being Health's integrated care model?
I am thrilled to be working in a place that doesn’t just pay lip service to integrated mental health care, but makes it all happen under one roof. I think the treatment model at Being Health is the future of mental health care.
What services does Dr. Kolappa offer at Being Health?
Dr. Kolappa provides virtual psychiatric services at Being Health via Being Health’s secure telemedicine platform. She does not provide in-person visits.
Does Dr. Kolappa provide medication management for controlled substances?
When indicated, Dr. Kolappa prescribes evidence-based medications such as antidepressants like SSRIs (e.g. Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro), SNRIs (e.g. Cymbalta, Effexor) and other non-controlled substance medications. However, Dr. Kolappa does not prescribe control substance medications, such as stimulants (e.g. Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta, Vyvanse), sedatives (e.g. Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin) or any other controlled substances.
What’s your favorite thing to do for self care?
Yoga and meditation.
What are Dr. Kolappa’s rates?
Dr. Kolappa offers initial psychiatry consultations and follow up psychiatry sessions. Rates are below:
- Psychiatry, Initial Consultation (60 min): $550
- Psychiatry Session (45 min): $450
- Psychiatry Session (30 min): $325
