Board-certified General and Adult Psychiatrist

Hometown: Kailua, Hawaii

​About:

Dr. Ritson was born and raised in Kailua, Hawaii. She attended New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study and majored in Music Cognition. Her studies of music processing in the brain sparked an interest in music therapy, and ultimately medicine. Dr. Ritson returned home to Hawaii after college and earned her medical degree at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. She continued at this institution to complete her general psychiatry residency. After residency Dr. Ritson has worked as a locum tenens psychiatrist providing telehealth services to clients on the Big Island and adolescents in a Residential Treatment Program in California. As a mom and physician, she understands the challenges and joys that arise in parenthood, especially as they impact mental health. Dr. Ritson is grateful to recently join the Kahala Clinic for Children & Family and serve the diverse people of Hawaii. With an appreciation of the inseparable ties between physical and mental health, Dr. Ritson takes a holistic approach to optimize care.  She tailors her treatment to the unique goals of her patients and strives to help them thrive in life. Her approach includes the use of medication when indicated and incorporates various psychotherapeutic modalities including CBT and mindfulness. When life challenges throw mental health out of tune, Dr. Ritson aims to assist individuals in restoring rhythm and harmony to their lives. In her spare time Dr. Ritson enjoys playing music, spending time in nature, and crafting.

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Education:

BA, New York University

MD, University of Hawaii John A Burns School of Medicine

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Specialty areas: 

Music therapy, integrative medicine, traditional healing practices, mindfulness

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Honors & Recognition:

Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society

Richard J. Koppenaal Award for Distinguished Interdisciplinary Study