Clinician Spotlight: Dr. Janette Leal and the Future of Holistic Psychiatry

At Better U, we believe mental health care should be personalized, compassionate, and designed around the individual, not just a diagnosis.

That philosophy is central to the work of Dr. Janette Leal, Medical Director at Better U and a physician whose background spans traditional psychiatry, integrative mental health, and telepsychiatry care.

With training in both internal medicine and psychiatry, Dr. Leal brings a uniquely comprehensive perspective to mental wellness and whole-person care. (betterucare.com)

A Background in Traditional and Integrative Psychiatry

Dr. Leal completed a combined Internal Medicine and Psychiatry residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics before specializing in Geriatric Psychiatry at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. (betterucare.com)

During her time in both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings, she worked with patients experiencing a wide range of mental health conditions and complex medical needs. (betterucare.com)

Over time, Dr. Leal developed a growing interest in integrative and holistic approaches to psychiatric care, particularly in understanding how lifestyle, physical health, emotional well-being, and personalized treatment planning may all influence mental health outcomes. (betterucare.com)

She later pursued additional training through The Integrative Psychiatry Institute and has expressed a professional interest in innovative and emerging areas of mental health care, including psychedelic medicine research. (betterucare.com)

A Personalized Approach to Mental Health

Dr. Leal’s care philosophy centers around individualized treatment.

Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, she emphasizes the importance of understanding each person’s unique history, symptoms, goals, and lived experiences when exploring mental health support options. (Headway)

At Better U, her work in telepsychiatry reflects a broader shift happening across mental healthcare, one that aims to improve accessibility while creating space for more collaborative and patient-centered conversations. (betterucare.com)

Expanding the Conversation Around Mental Wellness

As interest grows around holistic psychiatry and integrative care models, Dr. Leal has become part of a larger conversation about how mental healthcare may evolve to include broader discussions around:

• Lifestyle and behavioral health
• Stress and sleep
• Emotional resilience
• Medication management
• Integrative psychiatric approaches
• Emerging therapeutic modalities

While research in many of these areas is still developing, Dr. Leal advocates for thoughtful, evidence-informed care that prioritizes safety, individualized assessment, and open patient communication. (YouTube)

Making Mental Healthcare More Accessible

Through Better U’s telemedicine platform, Dr. Leal works to help expand access to psychiatric care for individuals seeking more personalized mental health support from home. (betterucare.com)

For many patients, access, convenience, and feeling heard are important components of the care experience, especially in a healthcare system that can sometimes feel rushed or impersonal.

At Better U, the goal is to support individuals through compassionate conversations, individualized care planning, and evidence-informed treatment options tailored to each person’s needs. Learn more about Dr. Janette Leal here: https://www.betterucare.com/team-members/janette-leal
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Disclaimer: The content on this page is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical or psychiatric advice. It does not create a patient–provider relationship and is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed clinician. Some treatments discussed (including holistic, weight management, sexual health, ketamine or other innovative therapies) may involve off-label or non-FDA-approved uses and are not guaranteed to be safe, effective, or appropriate for you. Always talk with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your care. Better U’s clinical team is available to provide personalized telemedicine appointments to determine which treatments, if any, may be appropriate for your individual situation.

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