About MARAT SHPOLYANSKY
I was born in Odessa, Ukraine in 1975, while it was still part of the Soviet Union. In 1978, I immigrated to the United States with my parents and older brother. My parents were children of Holocaust survivors. Trauma and depression were very much prevalent in my family and community. However, the stigma of mental illness prevented any of my family members from seeking help. I grew up seeing the effects of trauma that resulted in dissolution of marriages and various addictions. I was always interested in these stories and initially thought my role was to tell them. I later realized my interests lie more in helping people reshape their stories and empower them to transform their lives.
EXPERTISE
Adult and Adolescent Psychiatry incl. Mood Disorders, Psychotic Disorders, Addiction
CREDENTIALS
PMHNP-BC (Family Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Nationally Certified through ANCC) AGPCNP (Adult Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner)
TRAINING INSTITUTIONS
Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapist (Certified through The Integrative Psychiatry Institute of Colorado) Masters of Science in Nursing (California State University, Los Angeles) Bachelor of Arts in Child Development & Biology (California State University, Northridge)
WHY DID I CHOOSE THE FIELD OF MENTAL HEALTH?
I watched people I care about struggle with depression, anxiety, addiction. I wanted to help people overcome the stigma of mental health and help them get the care they need. I believe this field of medicine is severely underserved and want to help people live the best version of their lives.
SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT ME
I have a Master’s in Fine Arts and started my adult work life in the film industry.
WHAT MADE ME WANT TO JOIN THE HOPE TEAM AND PRACTICE IN THIS MODEL?
I appreciate the holistic approach to mental health that this practice offers. Our mental health system is broken and we need to be open to new ways of understanding the problems rather than just treating the symptoms.