Karen Lai

Karen Lai is a psychiatrist affiliated with Traditions Behavioral Health, a psychological corporation based in California. She has been serving in this role since 2019, focusing on providing psychiatric care to patients with serious mental health issues. Lai's educational background is extensive; she earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from Duke University and holds a Master of Public Health from UCLA. Additionally, she has degrees in Biomechanical Engineering from Stanford University, including both a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science.12

Before her current position, Lai completed her residency and fellowship at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) from 2014 to 2019. She also participated in prestigious fellowships, such as the Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship at UCSF and the Sal Romano Research Fellowship at Rutgers University.1

Lai is actively involved in professional organizations, being a member of both the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the California Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Her work at Traditions Behavioral Health includes a multidisciplinary approach to mental health care, emphasizing the integration of physical, psychiatric, psychosocial, and cultural needs of patients.23

In addition to her clinical work, Lai was recently appointed to the Board of State and Community Corrections in California, reflecting her commitment to improving mental health services at a systemic level.1