Catalina Villa, MD

Catalina Villa, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist with almost 20 years of experience advancing the well-being of psychiatric and internal medicine patients, and furthering the education of medical professionals. Dr. Villa has worked in a wide variety of settings, from internal medicine outpatient services to psychiatric outpatient clinics, and from hospital inpatient services to psychiatric emergency units.

In addition to her extensive psychiatry expertise, Dr. Villa’s cultural dexterity; community psychiatry background; experience with youth and older adults; and deep understanding of internal medicine and pharmacology make her a professional uniquely qualified to serve in settings that integrate mental and general health.

A native speaker of Spanish, Dr. Villa is also English-fluent. Among the conditions she treats include: adjustment disorders, anxiety, depression, grief and bereavement, mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, personality disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and psychotic illnesses.

She earned her Doctor of Medicine and Surgery degree from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, School of Medicine in Bogotá, Colombia. Her internship and residency training were at Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. Dr. Villa also has extensive experience as a researcher, and this work has appeared in several peer-reviewed publications.

Dr. Villa, a mom of one who loves reading, hiking and going to the theatre, is happy to be a part of the Washington Township Medical Foundation community. She has long been known as a passionate volunteer of her time and expertise, and has participated in many medical missions, including the Depression International Project and Operation Smile, respectively, in her native Colombia.

Her philosophy of care is simple. “Through psychiatry, I am able to help a person rather than treat an illness,” she explained. Acquainting herself with various aspects of her patients’ lives helps her address their problems more fully. “My goal is to treat the whole person. This can lead to the great satisfaction of seeing my patients improve, and knowing I have helped them makes it all worthwhile.”

Work Experience

• June 2013–December 2019 Alameda Health System — Consult and liaison psychiatrist
• June 2013–present John George Psychiatric Pavilion, Oakland — Emergency & Inpatient Psychiatrist
• June 2011–June 2013 Oakland, CA La Clinica de La Raza, Oakland — Medical Director, Behavioral Health
• Oct. 2011–March 2012 Forefront Telecare, Oakland — Telepsychiatry Services
• July 2009–May 2011 Tulare County Health and Human Services — Outpatient Psychiatrist
• In addition, Dr. Villa has served positions in internal medicine and surgery, and both inpatient and outpatient care, in her native Colombia.