Meet Your Physician

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Dr. Shikha Verma is triple board certified in General psychiatry, Child & Adolescent psychiatry, and Addiction Medicine. She has extensive clinical experience in managing various mental health disorders, including attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), substance use disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, trauma, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual disabilities. 

She is founder of Synergy Psychiatry Centers. She is a deep believer that healing begins from within and around us. So, she aims to continue working in transforming mental health field by integrating traditional psychiatric and psychotherapeutic approaches with other holistic treatments like ayurveda, mindfulness, yoga-based practices, and lifestyle interventions. 

She passionately advocates for furthering mental health education and tends to vulnerable populations including children, adolescents, women, and individuals with disability. Her philosophy is having a holistic approach, where patient-centered care is primal, it is prudent to address an individual’s larger holding environment (family, friends, school, and work) in their growth and overall well-being.

Dr. Verma strives to make a difference and be a catalyst in mental health by her continued contribution in medicine and education. She envisions touching lives positively and helping individuals build resilience, as they walk the path, we call as life.

She is an active member of complimentary and integrative committee for American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She strongly advocates for inclusion of parallel treatment approaches along with traditional medications and psychotherapy. 

 Dr. Verma received her early medical training at Lady Hardinge Medical College from the University of Delhi in Delhi, India. She completed her residency in Psychiatry at Hennepin-Regions Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota and completed a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. 

 Right after training, she was a practicing psychiatrist for inpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programs at Rogers Behavioral Health in Wisconsin. 

 She also worked in multiple program development in the past including dual diagnosis programs for mental health disorders and substance use treatments, providing medication-assisted treatments and exposure-relapse prevention programs for anxiety disorders and obsessive compulsive disorders. She also supervised cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) based programs for mood and anxiety disorders and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) based programs for severe mood disturbances along with self injuriour behaviors, suicidal thoughts, and personality traits.    

 She is a Medical Director of Northern California and Vice President of Medical Training and Development at Evolve Adolescent Behavioral Health.   

She is an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences at Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in Illinois.  She has a deep interest in teaching and is actively involved in teaching residents and fellows. 

She continues to advance her teaching interests through national, state, and local presentations/talks in various conferences and events.    

 She was recognized as a Distinguished Fellow of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (DFAACAP) by American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) in 2023. She was also recognized as a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association(FAPA) in 2021. She was awarded a Faculty/Teaching award for the year 2018-2019 by the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. 

Dr. Verma is committed to the growth of our society and actively participates in community events. She is a board member in Golden State Obesity Society. 

 1. Awarded Distinguished Fellow of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (DFAACAP) by American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) in 2023.

2. Fellow of American Psychiatric Association (FAPA) in 2021. 

3. Awarded a Faculty/Teaching award for the year 2018-2019 by the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.

4. Featured as Top Psychiatrist, 2020 Top Doctor list, Gurnee, Illinois, 2020

5. The Psychiatry Resident- In- Training Examination 90% + Achievement Award, Hennepin Regions Psychiatry Program, 2010 

1. American Academy of Preventive Medicine, Active

2. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), Active

3. American Psychiatric Association, Active

4. Member, Complimentary and Integrative Medicine Committee, AACAP, Active 

5. Member, IDD subcommittee of Autism and Intellectual Disability Committee, AACAP, Active. 

6. Northern California Regional Organization, AACAP, Active

7. American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, Active 

8. American Associates of Physicians of Indian Origin, Active

Book Chapters

1. Emotions as Metaphors: Critically Reconstructing Psychiatric and Cultural Discourses for Trauma and Healing, Emotions in Cultural Context, KR Priya, S Kukreja, RS Pandey, A Khanna, S Verma, 2024

2. Substance Use Disorders and Role of Complementary and Integrative Medicine/Functional Medicine, Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, Volume 32, Issue 2, 2023, Pages 217-241, Shikha Verma, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2022.08.007. May 2023

3. Neurological Disorders and Imaging Physics, Volume 4: Application to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Pankhuree Vandana, Shikha Verma, Eugene Arnold, December 2020

Articles

1. AACAPs position statement on increased suicide rate among black youth: Behind the scenes of the work on this Statement, AACAP News 2023

2. Impact of COVID-19 on Mental and Physical Health of Individuals with Intellectual Development Disorders, J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2021 Oct;60(10):S37–8. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2021.07.166. Epub 2021 Oct 11. PMCID: PMC8502610.

3. Treatment Directions for Sexual Trauma and PTSD in Individuals With Intellectual Developmental Disorder, Shikha Verma, DOI link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2022.07.155

4. Opioid use disorder in adolescents: An overview. Shikha Verma. Current Psychiatry. 2020 February;19(2):12-14,16-21 https://mdedge-files-live.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/files/s3fs-public/CP01902012.PDF February 10, 2020

5. Pediatric Tourette’s Syndrome. Shikha Verma. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/289457 May 29, 2020

6. Screening for Adolescent Substance use. Response to letter to Dr. Kevin Simon. Current Psychiatry. May 2020

7. Struggles of International Medical Graduates Amid COVID-19 Pandemic. Clinical Psychiatry News. https://www.mdedge.com/psychiatry/article/225178/coronavirus-updates/international-medical-graduates-facing-challenges-amid?channel=52 July 9, 2020 

8. Demographics and Hospital Outcomes in American Women with Endometriosis and Psychiatric Comorbidities. Chris A. Robert, Emmanuelle J. Caraballo-Rivera, Sasank Isola, Kosisochukwu Oraka, Sabiha Akter, Shikha Verma, Rikinkumar S. Patel. Cureus. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.9935 August 22, 2020

9. Development of Children and Adolescent Tele-Partial hospitalization Program (Tele-PHP) In Response to COVID-19 Pandemic. The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders. Raman Baweja, Shikha Verma, Meenal Pathak, and James G. Waxmonsky https://doi.org/10.4088/PCC.20m02743 October 15, 2020 

10. Recreational Cannabis Use and Risk of Prescription Opioid Overdose: Insights from Pediatric Inpatients. Amaya Pankaj, Kosisochukwu Oraka, Emmanuelle J. Caraballo-Rivera, Munazza Ahmad, Shaheer Zahid, Sadaf Munir, Gayathri Gurumurthy, Onose Okoeguale, Shikha Verma, Rikinkumar S. Patel. Cureus. doi:10.7759/cureus.11058. October 20, 2020

11.  Dilemma of Treating Psychosis Secondary to Stroke. Agrawal R, Verma S, Vatsalya V, et al. Cureus 13(1): e12763. doi:10.7759/cureus.12763. January 18, 2021

12. Lasting effects of childhood trauma: How trauma evolves in adulthood and treatment options. Current Psychiatry. Shikha Verma and Ruchita Agrawal. Current Psychiatry 20(18-19):24-28 DOI: 10.12788/cp.0101. March 2021

13. Vaping: From Public Health Crisis to Impacting SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic. DOI: 10.37871/ajeph.id47. March 2021

14.  Measuring the Effectiveness of Benzodiazepine Prescriptions Control in Community Setting Using Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). Agrawal, R., Verma, S. & Halappanavar, M. Community Ment Health J 57, 920–925 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-020-00686-5  July 2021

15.  Psychotropic Medication Adherence in Children and Adolescents. Verma S, Agrawal R. South Med J. 2021 Jul;114(7):388-394. doi: 10.14423/SMJ.0000000000001276. PMID: 34215889. July 2021

16. Incorporation of Telepsychiatry for Patients with Developmental Disorders into Routine Clinical Practice—A Survey of Specialty Clinics Adapting to Telepsychiatry During the COVID-19 Pandemic Verma, S., Vandana, P., Soda, T. et alJ Autism Dev Disord (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-022-05593-0.  May 2022

Posters 

1. Incorporation of Telepsychiatry for Patients with Developmental Disorders into Routine Clinical Practice-A Survey of Specialty Clinics Adapting to Telepsychiatry During the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Society for Autism and Research. May 2022 

2. Cannabis use as Medication assisted treatment for OUDs. Approved for APA 2020, Conference cancelled due to COVID 19 pandemic.

3. Rosavin- An Adaptogenic Compound-Induces PARP Activity and Cell Death in H9C2 Cells, Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Todd Pierce, Shikha Verma, Ravi Sundersan, Mahesh Gupta, August 2007

4. Effects of Emotional or Physical Trauma during Childhood on Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi, India. Sept 2006 

Guest Speaker/ Grand Rounds/ National or International Conferences

1.  Inclusivity Across Identities: Navigating Needs of Individuals With Intellectual Developmental Disorder (IDD) Within the LGBTQ+ Community   Verma, S. (2024). 35.4 Inclusivity Across Identities: Navigating Needs of Individuals With Intellectual Developmental Disorder (IDD) Within the LGBTQ+ Community. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 63(10), S51.    

2.  Trauma in the Intellectual Developmental Disorder Spectrum: Empowerment Through Awareness.  
Yeh, Lisa C.Verma, Shikha et al.Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Volume 63, Issue 10, S11.   10.1016/j.jaac.2024.07.079 

3. CE webinar, Substance Use Assessment and Utilizing Residential Treatment: An ASAM Dimensions Approach, June 2023 

4. Diagnosis and Assessment: Substance-Related Disorders, Evolve Treatment Centers, April 2023

5. Substance Intoxication, Withdrawal, and Evolve Protocols, Evolve Treatment Centers, May 2023

6. CEU event, Substance Use Assessment and Utilizing Residential Treatment: An ASAM Dimensions Approach, Scheduled June 2023

7. Clinical Perspective: Sexuality in Individuals with Intellectual Developmental Disorders: Development, Gender, and Vulnerability. AACAP 2022

8. Treatment Directions for Sexual Trauma and PTSD in Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disorders. AACAP 2022

9. Laughter Therapy (Hasya Yoga) and Gratitude: Steps Toward Wellness. Accepted AACAP 2022

10. Psychotropic Medications- I, Evolve Treatment Centers, May 2022

11. Psychotropic Medications- II, Evolve Treatment Centers, July 2022. 

12. Challenges and Lessons Learned in Establishing Tele-Partial Hospitalization Programs (Tele-PHP) During the Recent Pandemic AACAP 2021

13. Clinical Perspective: Early Identification of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), Trauma, Preparedness, Accurate Diagnosis, and Treatment in Children With Intellectual Development Disorders (IDDS). AACAP 2021

14. Sharing Long-Term Trauma Perspective and Struggles in Children With Intellectual Disability. AACAP 2021

15. Promoting Wellness: Mental and Physical Healing Through Meditation, Hasya Yoga, and Zumba. AACAP 2021

16. Impact Of COVID-19 on Mental and Physical Health of Individual with Intellectual Developmental Disorders. AACAP 2021

17. CEU event: Exposure-Based Treatment for Anxiety Disorders and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, 2021

18. Sexual Knowledge Assessment and Targeted Interventions in Intellectual Developmental Disorders. AACAP 2020

19. Grand Rounds on Exposure Based Treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science August 6, 2020

20. Wisconsin School Counselor Association 55thAnnual Conference: Anxiety- When does it become a hinderance? Feb 2020

21. Transsexualism and Sex Reconstructive Surgeries. Hennepin- Regions Psychiatry training program, January 2011

22. Hair Pulling in Youth, Medical College of Wisconsin and Affiliated hospitals, March 2012

Television

1. https://cbs58.com/news/dealing-with-social-isolation-during-the-covid-19-pandemic March 18 2020

Newspaper

1. Interview on Live Hindustan epaper:

https://m.livehindustan.com/health/story-lockdown-adversely-affecting-the-health-of-children-parents-should-take-care-of-them-3419116.html, August 14, 2020

Radio

2. Kenosha chambers podcast on adolescent mental health, Nov 22, 2019

3. Happening Q and A, mental health disorders in children and adolescents, Jan 7, 2020 

4. Expert Comments in Smart Reader Magazine and Happening Q and A (WLIP 1050): Providers insight about teen's risk for depression Tribune Content Agency, Feb 6, 2020

5. WLIP Interview on COVID 19 Pandemic, May 8, 2020 

6. Podcast: Substance use disorders and Medication Assisted Treatments, August 20, 2020

7. 1050 WLIP, Happening Q and A: Children and adolescents, school and Covid 19: August 28, 2020 

Outside her clinical work, Dr. Verma enjoys spending time with her family. She studies a classical Indian dance form, Kathak, through the I-Radha foundation and takes pleasure in hiking, yoga, and painting.