About Dr. Cara Erkut | Board-Certified Psychiatrist & Psychoanalyst | Mercer Island Seattle

Dr. Cara Erkut MD - Board-Certified Psychiatrist

Board-Certified Psychiatrist & Psychoanalyst

Cara J. Erkut, M.D.

Name: About Dr. Cara Erkut Psychiatrist
Rating: 4.7

Top Rated Seattle And Mercer Island Psychiatrist Specializing in Treatment Resistant Depression And Comprehensive Psychiatric Care.

Mayo Clinic Trained UW Chief Resident Former TMS Program Director Clinical Instructor, UW

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The Person Behind the Practice

Raised in a military family, I learned early that true service requires both discipline and heart. Today, I blend that grounded nature with Mayo Clinic rigor. Whether I’m raising my daughter, riding my horse, or sitting with you, I value authentic, human connection above all else.

My Commitment to You

I know the frustration of leaving a doctor’s office feeling like a ‘number’ rather than a person. Of being rushed, dismissed, or told you are ‘out of options.’ My practice is the antidote to that experience. If you have felt judged for your struggles or hopeless because standard treatments failed, I do not give up on complex cases. We will face this together, with patience and respect.

Education & Training

A foundation built on excellence at the nation’s leading institutions

Mayo Medical School

Doctor of Medicine

Rochester, MN | 2006 – 2010

$64,000 Merit Scholarship

University of Washington

Psychiatry Residency

Seattle, WA | 2010 – 2014

Chief Resident

Seattle Psychoanalytic Society & Institute

Psychoanalytic Training Program

Seattle, WA | 2012 – 2018

Full Psychoanalytic Training

UC Berkeley

B.A. Psychology & Integrative Biology

Berkeley, CA | 2002 – 2006

Distinction in General Scholarship

Clinical Experience & Appointments

Leadership roles across Seattle’s premier healthcare institutions

🧠

Former TMS Program Director, Psychiatrist & Psychoanalyst

Center for Anxiety & Depression | Mercer Island, WA

July 2024 – Present

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Clinical Instructor, Psychiatry

University of Washington & Harborview Medical Center

2024 – Present

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Active Community Staff

Seattle Children’s Hospital

March 2024 – Present

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Clinical Instructor

Fred Hutch Cancer Center

May 2025 – Present

Areas of Expertise

Specialized training in advanced psychiatric treatments

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TMS Therapy

FDA-cleared NeuroStar treatment for depression and anxiety

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Psychoanalysis

Deep, insight-oriented therapy for lasting change

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Psychodynamic Therapy

Understanding patterns that drive symptoms

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Medication Management

Precision psychiatric medication optimization

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Complex Cases

Treatment-resistant depression and anxiety

Research & Publications

Peer-reviewed contributions to psychiatric education and practice

Academic Psychiatry, 2021

Supplementing Psychiatry Resident Training with a Tiered Psychotherapy Pathway

Academic Psychiatry, 2015

Teaching an experiential mind-body method to medical students to increase interpersonal skills: a pilot study

Academic Psychiatry, 2012

Shorter psychiatry clerkship length is associated with lower NBME psychiatry shelf exam performance

Anatomical Sciences Education, 2009

Assessing the integration of audience response system technology in teaching of anatomical sciences

Honors & Awards

Recognition for excellence in teaching and clinical leadership

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Excellence in Teaching

Seattle Psychoanalytic Society & Institute, 2016

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Advanced Psychotherapy Studies

University of Washington, 2014

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Outstanding Teacher Award

Mayo Outreach to Students & Teachers, 2007

⭐

$64,000 Merit Scholarship

Mayo Medical School, 2006-2010

Professional Affiliations

Active member in leading psychiatric organizations

Clinical TMS Society American Psychiatric Association Washington State Psychiatric Association Seattle Psychoanalytic Society & Institute

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Whether you’re seeking help for depression, anxiety, or exploring advanced treatments like TMS therapy, I’m here to help you find your path forward.

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