Who I Am

I am a double board-certified child and adult psychiatrist, and debut author on pillars for positive parent-child experiences.

My Timeline

  • I was a Kid-to-Kid advice columnist for my county’s major newspaper, and revealed aspirations to become a child psychiatrist and writer.

  • I completed my Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship and over two decades served as Contra Costa County Lead Child Psychiatrist, taught child psychiatry trainees as UCSF Volunteer Faculty, and practiced psychiatry for patients at every developmental stageall in the parenting trenches myself.

  • I recorded my findings on what worked, as a parent and child psychiatrist in parallel.

  • Today, I have become increasingly interested in sharing knowledge on the intersection of parent-child development, to promote positive experiences and optimize health of the next generations.

Training & Certifications

  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship:

    University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)

  • General Psychiatry Residency:

    University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)

  • Medical School:

    University of California, San Diego (UCSD)

  • Undergraduate:

    University of California, San Diego (UCSD)

    Summa cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Regents Scholar

  • American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN)

    Certification in General Adult Psychiatry

    Certification in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

  • American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)

  • Northern CA Regional Org of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (NCROCAP)

  • CA Medical Board, Physician’s License

  • Continuing Medical Education focus on Reproductive & Maternal Mental Health

In The Media

Parents Magazine interview on tween development with Dr. Raphael

Imperfect Love podcast episode featuring Dr. Raphael

Aired Sept 12, 2025 on Spotify, Apple podcasts, and YouTube