Christine Bilbrey, MD, PC
Holistic Psychiatry & Psychotherapy in California
Boutique Telehealth
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” - Mary Oliver
Compassionate & Holistic Psychiatry in California
At Christine Bilbrey, MD, PC, therapy is more than a treatment — it’s a path toward deeper self-awareness and lasting emotional well-being. Led by Dr. Christine Bilbrey, a board-certified psychiatrist based in San Francisco, the practice offers a compassionate and comprehensive approach to mental health that integrates science, empathy, and the art of healing.
Dr. Christine Bilbrey provides holistic psychiatry and psychotherapy services throughout California Her approach blends evidence-based medicine with integrative psychiatry, helping patients uncover the root causes of emotional distress and empowering them to lead more fulfilling, balanced lives.
Personalized Therapy for Every Stage of Life
Dr. Christine Bilbrey specializes in working with successful professionals, healthcare workers, teachers, graduate students, and parents who are seeking meaningful change in their personal and professional lives. Her sessions offer a safe space to explore challenges, gain self-understanding, and develop the tools to live with greater clarity and purpose.
Whether you are struggling with anxiety, navigating life transitions, or searching for the best treatment for anxiety and depression, Dr. Christine Bilbrey tailors every treatment plan to your unique needs. She believes true healing involves addressing the whole person — mind, body, and lifestyle — through a combination of psychotherapy, nutritional guidance, mindfulness, and, when appropriate, medication management.
Expert in Anxiety and Mood Disorders
Anxiety can affect anyone — from high-performing professionals to new mothers adjusting to parenthood. Dr. Christine Bilbrey offers treatment for a wide range of conditions, including:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Panic Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder / Social Phobia
Performance Anxiety
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Postpartum Anxiety and Postpartum Depression
She also provides compassionate care for women experiencing perimenopause and postmenopause-related mood changes, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), and adjustment disorders. Her warm, collaborative approach helps patients find emotional stability, clarity, and renewed confidence.
Holistic Psychiatry That Treats the Whole Person
Unlike traditional approaches that focus only on symptoms, holistic psychiatry at Christine Bilbrey, MD, PC, looks at every aspect of a person’s well-being — biological, psychological, social, and spiritual. Dr. Christine Bilbrey integrates lifestyle interventions, nutrition, mindfulness, and evidence-based therapy to promote long-term mental wellness.
Patients seeking integrative psychiatry appreciate her balanced perspective, which bridges medical science and the power of human connection. Dr. Christine Bilbrey helps her patients achieve lasting balance and inner peace by combining modern psychopharmacology with holistic practices.
Support for Postpartum Women and Working Parents
Dr. Christine Bilbrey has extensive experience supporting postpartum women facing anxiety, depression, and emotional overwhelm during the transition to motherhood. Her approach emphasizes gentle and supportive therapy and, when appropriate, medication support to ensure emotional health and stability.
She also works closely with working parents and caregivers to create sustainable strategies for managing stress, improving emotional resilience, and restoring balance between personal and family life.
A Career Rooted in Science and Empathy
Dr. Christine Bilbrey earned her undergraduate degree in Biochemistry with a minor in Philosophy from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and over time she has developed a deep appreciation for both the scientific and humanistic sides of practicing medicine.
She completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Vermont, where she received training in psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based therapy. Her expertise in psychopharmacology allows her to skillfully integrate medication management with therapy for optimal outcomes.
Following residency, Dr. Christine Bilbrey joined the faculty at Cornell Medical College/New York-Presbyterian Hospital and she had an outpatient practice in New York City focused on psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral therapy. She later continued her work at Kaiser Permanente in Sonoma County and San Francisco, specializing in psychopharmacology, women’s mental health, postpartum mental health care, and goal-focused psychotherapy.
Begin Your Path Toward Healing
Whether you're in Santa Monica seeking holistic anxiety treatment, a Palo Alto professional managing performance stress, an artist in Marin County looking for deeper self-understanding, or a new mother in Santa Barbara navigating postpartum challenges, Dr. Christine Bilbrey provides the compassionate, expert care you deserve.
We Proudly Serve the Following Areas
Santa Monica, CA
Santa Barbara, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Atherton, CA
Palo Alto, CA
Menlo Park, CA
Marin County (Sausalito, Mill Valley, Larkspur), CA
San Francisco Bay Area
True healing happens when we understand what we're feeling and why we're feeling it. Together, we'll explore the depths of your experience and create lasting change from within. Your journey toward wellness and self-understanding begins with a single conversation.
FAQs
What should I expect during my first visit?
Your initial consultation is a comprehensive 60 minute session. We'll explore your concerns, health history, family background, and personal goals together. This is the beginning of a collaborative therapeutic alliance focused on understanding your unique needs and creating a treatment plan that truly fits your life.
Do you accept insurance?
We are out of network but are able to provide detailed superbills that you could submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
How does telepsychiatry work, and is it as effective as in-person therapy?
All sessions are conducted through secure, HIPAA-compliant video platforms from the comfort of your own space. You'll need a private area, reliable internet, and a device with video capabilities. Research consistently shows that telepsychiatry is equally effective as in-person care, and many clients find it more convenient and comfortable, especially for ongoing therapy sessions.
Do you prescribe medication?
Yes, when clinically appropriate and beneficial. However, our philosophy prioritizes addressing root causes first. We take a conservative approach to medication, focusing on options that support long-term wellness rather than creating dependency. We do not prescribe controlled substances like stimulants or benzodiazepines given this is a small telehealth practice but also because we believe in sustainable, non-dependency-forming solutions.
What types of clients do you work with best?
Our boutique practice is particularly well-suited for thoughtful, introspective individuals who value depth in their mental health care. We work excellently with creative professionals, successful business professionals, teachers, healthcare providers, graduate students, and new mothers. Our clients typically appreciate philosophical discussions and are interested in understanding the deeper patterns in their lives.
What conditions do you NOT treat?
For your safety and to ensure you receive optimal care, we recommend that clients with severe depression, acute suicidal ideation or other self harm, active psychosis, severe eating disorders, schizophrenia, severe bipolar disorder, or those at risk of hospitalization or intensive outpatient treatment be seen in academic centers, community mental health centers or larger clinical settings that are better equipped for intensive, crisis-level care. This allows us to focus on providing excellent care for individuals who can benefit most from our boutique approach.
How often will we meet, and how long does treatment typically take?
Initially, we typically meet weekly, depending on your needs and preferences. As you progress and develop stronger coping strategies, sessions may become less frequent. Some clients find significant relief in a few months, while others prefer ongoing support for continued growth and maintenance. Treatment length is always individualized based on your goals, progress, and personal preferences.
What makes your approach different from other mental health providers?
Our boutique practice offers several unique advantages: personalized attention in a small practice setting, integration of wellness and lifestyle factors, deep psychodynamic exploration rather than surface-level symptom management, and a particular affinity for working with creative and philosophical minds. We provide concierge-level care with the clinical expertise of board-certified psychiatry.