Hi, I’m Russell Lim, MD. I was born and raised in California. I was a Health Science Clinical Professor at UC Davis for 21 years, and I am a graduate of the UC San Francisco Psychiatry program where I was Chief Resident at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, and of the UC San Diego School of Medicine, and was also on faculty at UCLA prior to UC Davis. I am a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), and received the Kung Po Soo Award from the APA in 2015 for contributions to understanding Asian American patients with mental health issues. I have presented at regional, national, and international medical and scientific conferences on Cultural Competence and Culturally Appropriate Assessment.
I specialize in Cultural Psychiatry, and I am the editor of the Clinical Manual of Cultural Psychiatry, First and Second Edition. I believe in a holistic approach, combining physical wellness, life planning, psychotherapy, including cognitive therapy, and medications if necessary through an empathic, mutually respectful, and empowering collaboration with the patient, and other members of the treatment team, including family members, an approach I learned as a medical director at a community mental health clinic. I believe that the doctor patient relationship is in and of itself therapeutic and I strive to create an environment where patients feel safe, knowing that their individual stories, experiences, needs, beliefs, and concerns will be heard and treated with respect. I enjoy building lasting therapeutic relationships. My patients are extremely loyal to me, and I appreciate that level of trust that they have given to our work together.
I have over 27 years of experience in office and community based practice, and your goals are my priority in your treatment and I will work with you to find strategies that suit your needs. I will do what it takes to help you to feel better and cope with your life problems. I welcome all identities, faiths, orientations, and beliefs. It would be my privilege to assist you with anxiety, depression, mood swings, compulsions, and other psychiatric problems. I also treat those who have life stressors and relationship or work life change issues in a caring and trusting manner helping the individual to learn more about themselves, improve their relationships, develop healthy coping skills, and make decisions that promote their overall well-being.
