Description of Research Expertise

Dr. Kim's field of expertise is in perinatal clinical research. She is the PI for several research studies utilizing non-pharmacologic treatments for perinatal depression. She has contributed over 20 research publications, including several papers in the American Journal of Psychiatry. Currently, Dr. Kim is recruiting for 2 intervention studies and 2 translational/pathophysiology studies.

One of Dr. Kim's intervention studies investigates Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) as a treatment for perinatal depression. This study is funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health.
TMS is an FDA approved treatment for depression. While the device has been FDA approved for medication resistant depression, the purpose of this study is to examine whether TMS is an effective treatment during pregnancy.

The second intervention study examines whether computer-assisted cognitive behavior therapy (CCBT), in which one-on-one therapist time is decreased and is instead supplemented with an interactive computer program, will improve the symptoms of depression in pregnant women.

In addition to her two intervention studies, Dr. Kim is also recruiting for two translational/pathophysiology studies. One of the studies examines how difficult life events experienced during a mother's childhood may impact her child's stress response. The other translational study evaluates the correlation between varying levels of maternal BDNF and birth outcomes.

Description of Clinical Expertise

Dr. Kim specializes in the treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and is internationally recognized as a master clinician in her field. She regularly provides consultation and treatment for psychiatric disorders during the perinatal and postnatal period as a psychiatrist. In addition to providing clinical services, She is also recruiting for several research studies utilizing non-pharmacologic treatments for perinatal depression.

She is boarded in both Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine.

Althoughher clinical focus is on treating pregnant and postpartum women with mental illness, Dr. Kim has extensive experience with treating women with major medical co-morbidities, PMS/PMDD and menopausal issues. She utilizes several treatment modalities including psychopharmacology, psychodynamic therapy, and neuromodulation.

Description of Other Expertise

Dr. Kim is involved in the supervision, teaching, and mentoring of college students, medical students and residents and fellows in women's mental health.

She is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and she speak about her work both locally and nationally.