Winn Healthy Alliance Coalition recently had the opportunity to meet Dr. Gene Robichaux Jr., MD, Board Certified General and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Behavioral Health Director for Trinity Community Health Centers. His presentation was at the museum in Winnfield.
Dr. Robichaux says, “psychiatry is the medical practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental health problems.” Explaining further, he states, “A psychiatrist can prescribe medications but would first carefully evaluate the individual since a medical health problem can actually present itself as a psychiatric condition. A psychiatrist is first and foremost a physician, focused on promoting general health and well-being.”
Dr. Robichaux is a native of Alexandria and a graduate of ASH who graduated from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., in 2012. He returned to Louisiana where he received his doctorate of medicine from LSU Health Science Center in Shreveport in 2016. It’s not a quick process, for his next five years were spent in residency and fellowship training in general psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry.
In 2021 he worked with a small private practice before moving on to the Central Louisiana Human Services District (“Caring Choices”), which operates clinics in Alexandria, Jonesville, Leesville and Marksville.
“But the state began cutting funding, and I saw the need to look for additional work. My wife, Carmen Marie, and I have six children. The opportunity for the position of Trinity’s Behavioral Health Director came about. We talked, I interviewed, and they offered me the job. Trinity is absolutely 100% of my practice.”
Dr. Robichaux is based at Rapides Academy School-Based Behavioral Center in order to serve children enrolled in Rapides Parish public schools. He also sees patients at Winn Community Health Center, Rapides Community Health Center, and South Grant Community Health Center in order to serve children in the wider community.
Trinity Community Health Centers’ program focuses on a variety of concerns. “We first evaluate and rule out medical causes of symptoms. We clarify immediate concerns, while seeking to understand the child’s difficulties in the context of their family, school, and other relationships. Then we pursue a wide range of treatments, including counseling, academic interventions, and/or medication, when necessary.”
Areas of the abnormal conditions he mentioned include anxiety, mood instability, disruptive behavior, developmental disorders, and psychosis.
Asked about other aspects of his life, Dr. Robichaux says, “It would be worthwhile to mention that we are actively involved in our church. I am a professional organist and serve as the director of music at St. Rita Catholic Church. It’s our longtime family church, and I’m happy to be there.”