DRA. SARA MARÍA VÉLEZ PARRA

«It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.» -Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Saint-Exupéry

I am a mother and wife. In love with nature, trails and the ocean. I enjoy reading a good book, going to the movies, doing yoga and running. I love to continue studying and taking on new academic and professional challenges. I believe in continuous medical education, scientific research and the challenge of staying updated. My passion for Psychiatry came thanks to the mentoring of wonderful teachers during my training that transmitted the love for mental health, in addition to teaching me team work and be part of the integral therapeutical process of the patients, thus to understand the social and human impact that mental health has in all of us.

I offer my services in Spanish and English.

Education:

  • Doctor of Medicine and Surgery. Columbus University (2012)
  • Master’s Degree in Pharmacology. Universidad de Panama (2017)
  • International Course on Clinical Neuropsychiatry. Instituto Fleni (2019)
  • Course in Brief Intervention Techniques in approach addictions. Cruz Blanca Panameña (2021)
  • Training in research on Dual Pathology. Sociedad Española de Patología Dual. España (2022)
  • Dual pathology course in the context of neurosciences and precision psychiatry. Sociedad Española de Patología Dual (2022)
  • Specialization in Psychiatry. Hospital Santo Tomás. Accredited by Universidad de Panama (2023)
  • Diploma in Third-Generation Cognitive Behavioral Therapies. Instituto Superior de Estudios Psicológicos. España (2024)

Work experience:

  • Research assistant and collaborator. Centro de Investigación e Información en Medicamentos y Tóxicos, en la Universidad de Panama (2014 -actualidad)
  • First year of medical internship. Hospital Santo Tomás (2017)
  • Second year of medical internship. Hospital Nicolás A. Solano (2018)
  • Resident doctor of Psychiatry. Hospital Santo Tomás (2019-2023) 
  • Training on Dual Pathology (Mental disorders with addictions).Hospital Provincial Castellón, España (2022)

You may reach me at: info@holisticmindsteps.com