Dr. Maya Smolarek is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who provides comprehensive psychiatric care for adults navigating a wide range of mental health concerns. She combines medication management, psychotherapy, and a holistic understanding of emotional well-being to help patients better understand themselves and move toward meaningful change.
Her approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that psychiatric care should address not only symptoms, but also personal experience, identity, relationships, and purpose.
Before entering medicine, Dr. Smolarek studied Religious Studies at UC Berkeley, where she developed a deep interest in meaning, personal narrative, and the internal experiences that shape people’s lives. Although she initially pursued medicine with the intention of working in end-of-life care, she ultimately found psychiatry to be the ideal intersection of science, psychology, and human experience.
Throughout her career, she has remained committed to helping patients understand themselves more fully while providing thoughtful, evidence-based psychiatric treatment.
Conditions Treated
In-Depth Training
Approach to Care
Dr. Smolarek believes psychiatric care should be both scientifically grounded and deeply human.
She recognizes that mental health symptoms exist within the larger context of a person’s relationships, life experiences, identity, values, and goals. Her approach seeks to understand not only what symptoms are present, but also how those symptoms fit within the broader story of a person’s life.
She works collaboratively with patients to create individualized treatment plans that support symptom relief, self-understanding, resilience, and long-term growth.
Academic Background
Approach to Care
Academic Background
During residency, Dr. Smolarek co-founded the Women in Psychiatry group to advance education surrounding issues affecting women in medicine and psychiatry.
She also:
Dr. Smolarek is committed to providing affirming, respectful care for patients from diverse backgrounds and identities.
LGBTQ+ affirming.
Patient Experience
No need to decide alone.
Choosing a psychiatric provider is an important decision, and many patients are unsure where to begin.
You do not need to select the “perfect” provider before contacting Adelpha.
Our team can help determine which physician or therapist may be the best fit based on:
The goal is to connect you with the provider who is most appropriate for your situation.
Adelpha provides thoughtful, comprehensive psychiatric care for patients and families who want clear guidance, qualified support, and care that sees the whole person.
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