Introduction
San Diego native, Dr. Theodore Germanos is a double board-certified psychiatrist specializing in child, adolescent, and adult mental health. His journey to becoming a physician dedicated to mental wellness began early in life, and his commitment to his community is evident in his work and accomplishments. Dr. Germanos’s early affinity towards making a difference in the mental health and well-being of others has allowed him to continue along an astounding path of helping others achieve healing and wellness.
Academic Background
Dr. Germanos’s academic path reflects his dedication to excellence. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from San Diego State University with a B.S. in Biology before attending Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. During his medical school years, he pursued research opportunities at prestigious institutions like Harvard Medical School and Vanderbilt University, demonstrating his commitment to advancing medical knowledge. Dr. Germanos’s research included the investigation of Deep Brain Stimulation and its potential role in rehabilitation for those with Traumatic Brain Injury, as well as neurosurgical implications and treatments for refractory psychiatric illness.
Additionally, Dr. Germanos has always taken an active role in seeking to uplift others, whether it be fellow students, serving as Academic Vice President of his medical school class, or giving back to the local community, volunteering in local free health clinics. Dr. Germanos also started an organization Living Above Addiction to help individuals struggling with addiction and support families navigating substance use treatment. An article on the SDSU website highlights his advice to students, reflecting his ongoing connection to his undergraduate alma mater. https://www.sdsu.edu/news/2016/05/ask-aztec-theodore-germanos
Dr. Germanos completed his General Psychiatry Residency at Meharry Medical College before specializing in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry through a Fellowship at the University of California, San Diego. This specialized training allows him the expertise to work with all ages; he currently sees children as young as five years old through adulthood.
Dr. Germanos emphasizes the importance of bringing together the academic side of medicine with the human connection for each individual. He has given presentations at UC San Diego Grand Rounds and Rady Children’s Hospital surrounding this connection with the topic of Substance Use Disorders and Motivational Interviewing.
Treatment Approach
In specializing his psychiatric treatment approach, Dr. Germanos’s practice focuses on collaboration, working closely with patients and families to identify concerns, diagnoses, and develop comprehensive treatment plans. He addresses a wide range of mental health challenges, including ADHD, autism, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, OCD, behavioral issues, mood disorders, personality disorders, substance use, addiction, and emotional dysregulation. His approach emphasizes a combination of therapy, medication management, and promoting overall emotional well-being and quality of life. As he states on his website, “My goal is to work with each patient and each family as a team.”
Current Work
Dr. Germanos’s expertise is also sought after for commentary on current mental health issues. He contributed insights on managing back-to-school stress in an article published by Bold Health, demonstrating his commitment to educating the community about mental wellness. Dr. Germanos’s continued dedication to conducting research into current mental health issues is just one of several methods by which he anticipates the needs of his patients and is able to formulate the ideal plan of treatment for each and every one. His Psychology Today profile further details his approach and areas of expertise.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/psychiatrists/theodore-germanos-solana-beach-ca/1041869
Outside of his professional life, Dr. Germanos enjoys a variety of hobbies, including anime/manga, traveling, learning about new cultures, playing video games, reading, and watching sports. These interests, among many others, reflect a well-rounded individual with a passion for life, which contributes to his empathetic and understanding approach to patient care.
Dr. Theodore Germanos’s dedication to mental health, combined with his extensive training and community involvement, makes him a valuable resource for individuals and families seeking support and guidance. His commitment to collaborative care and focus on emotional well-being positions him as a leading figure in the field of psychiatry, and has made Dr. Germanos a valuable addition to the Luma Health and Wellness Team. As a part of the Luma family, Dr. Germanos has demonstrated an exceptional level of patient care and dedication to his practice, ensuring a unique and specialized plan of treatment that suits each patient’s individual needs and wellness goals.
Sources
Germanos, Theodore. “Dr. Theodore Germanos, Psychiatrist, Solana Beach, CA, 92075.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 9 Feb. 2025, www.psychologytoday.com/us/psychiatrists/theodore-germanos-solana-beach-ca/10 41869.
Germanos, Theodore. “Handling Back-to-School Stress: Dr. Theodore Germanos.” Bold Health, Bold Health, 24 Aug. 2023, boldhealthinc.com/handling-back-to-school-stress-insights-from-bold-healths-dr-theodore-germanos/.
Germanos, Theodore. “Motivational Interviewing: A Means of Intervention”. University of California, San Diego 25 April. 2023, https://radychildrens.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=3a956e06 -5469-4adf-822a-afef01720edf
Germanos, Theodore. “Adolescent Addiction Management in the Primary Care Setting”. Rady Children’s Hospital. 4 May. 2023, https://radychildrens.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=7e269257 -f387-4185-8029-affc010b6465
Germanos, Theodore. “Theodore Germanos, MD.” Luma Health & Wellness, Luma Health & Wellness Center, 5 Feb. 2025, lumawellnesscenter.com/meet-the-team/theodore-germanos-md/.
Germanos, Theodore. “Theodore Germanos, MD Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist.” Theodore Germanos, MD Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist, Theodore Germanos, theodoregermanosmd.com/. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.
SDSU News Team. “Ask an Aztec: Theodore Germanos.” San Diego State University, San Diego State University, 13 Dec. 2023, www.sdsu.edu/news/2016/05/ask-aztec-theodore-germanos.
