Care Philosophy: “I like to think my health care philosophy adapts and grows the more I learn from experience, education, and patients. At the core though, is the value of listening. Patients have a lot of wisdom, unique to each individual. I strive to listen for that wisdom and help a patient recognize and appreciate their own wisdom about their health and mind. I hope to help them find and hone the tools and skills they need to build a meaningful and fulfilling life for themselves.”

Dr. Villarreal specializes in psychiatry. Her medical interests and expertise include the practice of psychotherapy in both individual and group settings as well as the treatment of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. “I am a big proponent of psychotherapy and am always curious about new ways of engaging with people, both individually and in group settings,” says Dr. Villarreal. “I spent two years as a resident learning more about group psychodynamic psychotherapy and find it a powerful modality for change.” Dr. Villarreal earned her medical degree and completed her post-graduate residency at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She is board-certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. During her residency, she received the 2019 Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Award and the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching by House Staff. She also received the University of Pennsylvania’s PGY2 Medical Student Teaching Award in 2017.

She first came to Mount Desert Island for a two-week elective rotation in rural psychiatry at the MDI Behavioral Health Center, available to Penn Medicine residents through a partnership with MDI Hospital. In those two weeks, she found something here that she wasn’t expecting. “There was a real sense of community here that I hadn’t realized I was missing,” says Dr. Villarreal. “Like in Philadelphia, providers were working hard for patients, doing their best, facing challenges daily, but here on MDI, I noticed that the providers felt more connected to the people they cared for because they shared the same island, the same restaurants, the same national park, even the same lobster pounds.”

Outside of work, Dr. Villarreal and her husband are avid travelers and look forward to globe-hopping as much as they can. They are excited that Maine offers so much to see and explore and are already busy planning trips around the state. Art is also something that they actively seek out, and you can often find them visiting galleries and museums throughout the year. Hiking and swimming are favorites for Dr. Villarreal as well, and she enjoys reading and crafting when time allows. Now that her residency is completed, she’s hoping to take up knitting and crocheting again, perhaps have the time to finish a few novels or even get a loom and explore weaving. She’s also hoping to find an opportunity to try horseback riding again, which is one of her favorite activities.