Sudha Prathikanti, MD

Dr. Sudha Prathikanti is a psychiatrist and ayurvedic practitioner who supports patients coping with serious illnesses, chronic pain, interpersonal losses, or life cycle transitions related to pregnancy or infertility. In her practice, she uses a variety of techniques to help patients find emotional balance, including Ayurveda, yoga, meditation, herbs and Jungian dreamwork. She considers many factors that may impact healing and wellness, including psychosocial, cultural and spiritual influences.

Prathikanti's research focuses on treating depression with yoga. She is also interested in studying other holistic mental health interventions that are accessible to vulnerable populations from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

Prathikanti earned her medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School. At UCSF, she completed a residency in adult psychiatry and a fellowship in the psychiatric care of women throughout the life span.

Prathikanti founded the integrative psychiatry service and Ayurveda consultation service at the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health. She serves as medical director for primary care adult psychiatry at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, where she collaborates with other doctors to research, develop and implement holistic approaches to healing that have value for the populations served by the city's community health system.