Dr. Venu Karapareddy
Psychiatrist, Founder & Director
MBBS, MSc (Psych), MRCPsych (UK), FRCP(C), MBA (Health Exec), Diplomat of ABAM
Specializing in Addiction Psychiatry, Occupational Psychiatry, PTSD, ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, and Chronic Pain
Bio
Dr. Venu Karapareddy is the Founder, Director, and Psychiatrist at BrainStim, specializing in addiction psychiatry, occupational psychiatry and comorbid conditions. He is a physician leader passionate about developing innovative care solutions for individuals with mental health, addiction, pain, and cognitive issues. Trained in the UK, Dr. Karapareddy holds membership in the Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK) and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. With over 20 years of experience in mental health and addiction treatment, he has worked in both the UK and Canada.
During his time as a Consultant Addictions Psychiatrist with Mersey Care NHS Trust in Liverpool, he managed inner-city community and inpatient detox services for drug and alcohol rehabilitation. After moving to Vancouver, he applied his expertise in concurrent disorders at Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver Daytox and Detox, and BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS) under Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).
Academics and Research
Dr. Karapareddy is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the founding director of the Concurrent Disorder Fellowship in Vancouver. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Addiction Medicine and serves on the BC Psychiatric Association Executive Committee. His research focuses on improving care models for individuals with addiction, mental health disorders, and comorbid conditions.
To advance mental health care, he founded Actum Health, integrating experts in mental health, addiction, pain, and concussion treatment to enhance recovery and return to normal functioning.
Current and Past Roles
- Founder & Director – BrainStim
- Founder – Actum Health
- Co-founder – Chakra Health Integrated Clinic, Vancouver, BC
- Co-founder – Welmind Health Solutions
- Regional Concurrent Disorder Medical Lead – Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)
- Executive Member & Addiction Representative – BC Psychiatric Association (BCPA)
- Co-chair – Provincial Concurrent Disorder Technical Panel, BC
- Chief Medical Lead – PTSD Centre of Excellence, Veterans Village, Surrey, BC
- Clinical Associate Professor – University of British Columbia (UBC)
- Physician/Addiction Psychiatrist – Vancouver General Hospital (VGH)
- Founding Director – Concurrent Disorder Fellowship, Vancouver, BC
- Co-chair – Integrated Quality Care Committee (IQCC), Vancouver Acute (Previously held)
- Committee Member – College Methadone Committee (Previously held)
- CPSBC Prescription Review Panel Committee Member (Previously held)
- Medical Manager – Concurrent Disorder Unit, Vancouver General Hospital (Previously held)
- Addiction Psychiatrist – BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS)
- BCCSU Guidelines Committee Member – Opioid Use Disorder Guidelines
Clinical Expertise
- Independent medical assessments for occupational and personal injury cases related to mental health and addiction
- Assessment and treatment of PTSD, ADHD, depression, anxiety, alcohol use disorders, chronic pain, and cognitive issues
- Supporting return to work and functionality for individuals with mental health conditions
