Nelae DeChurch is a National Board Certified Physician Assistant with a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Psychiatry from the NCCPA. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science and her Master of Physician Assistant Science degree from ARC-accredited Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania. She was born and raised in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and relocated to southern California to advance her career in medicine.
As an OCPAM Physician Assistant, Nelae works closely with Dr. Karimkhani. She has had extensive training and experience treating adolescents and adults with substance abuse and complex psychiatric issues. She is able to perform initial and follow up psychiatric evaluations, provide a diagnosis, treat with medication, and refer for psychotherapy.
She works to establish relapse prevention offering Vivitrol and providing injections in our office. Nelae has given a variety of lectures at True North Recovery Services Intensive Outpatient Program and other treatment programs providing education to her patients with addiction and mental illness.
She has interests in natural and alternative medicine and was a 2011 recipient of the Natural Medicine Comprehensive Database Recognition Award, an award that recognizes those with a dedication to evidence based uses of natural medicine.