Karim Lotfy, MD

In His Own Words

About Dr. Lotfy

From an early age, I learned to see the world through more than one lens.

I was raised in the Middle East, influenced by European culture through education and travel, and later made my life in the United States. Moving between cultures made me curious about our differences, but even more aware of what we share: the need to feel safe, understood, connected, and to find meaning.

It also left me with deeper questions. Why do we continue to suffer even when many of our basic needs are met? What causes us to lose compassion or inner peace? And what allows genuine healing to occur?

These questions drew me toward philosophy, while my fascination with the brain drew me toward neuroscience. Psychiatry became the meeting place between the two: a field concerned not only with biology and mental illness, but also with consciousness, relationships, and meaning.

My medical training and research gave me a profound respect for science. At the same time, I came to see that human suffering cannot always be understood through symptoms, diagnoses, or neural pathways alone. Our histories, relationships, bodies, cultures, values, and spiritual lives also shape how we heal.

My cross-cultural background made me curious about healing traditions that predated modern psychiatry. Many received limited attention within modern medicine, yet some are now being reconsidered through contemporary research, including psychedelic science. This led me to explore non-ordinary states of consciousness and psychedelic-informed approaches with openness and discernment.

Over the past 15 years, my patients have taught me that healing often lives in overlooked spaces: in movement, creative expression, stillness with nature, and moments of genuine human connection.

Centerpoint Integrative Psychiatry grew from the belief that we do not have to choose between science and soul. We can honor both while helping each person move toward greater balance, connection, and meaning.