Dr. Edison de MelloMD, PhD
Functional Medicine
at Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine — Santa Monica, CA
About
Edison de Mello, MD, PhD, founded the Akasha Center in 2002 and serves as its Chief Medical Officer. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he credits his grandmother, Nana, as his first integrative medicine teacher. Her use of herbal teas and natural remedies sparked his early passion for whole-person care.
Dr. de Mello earned a BA in Psychology from the University of North Texas in 1982, followed by an MA in Psychology and a doctoral degree in Health and Human Services with a focus in Clinical Psychology. He spent 13 years in Community Clinical Psychology before completing his medical degree. He holds board certification as an Integrative Physician through the American Board of Physician Specialties and board certification as a Psychotherapist through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. His clinical work integrates functional medicine, preventive medicine, and internal medicine with each patient's unique life history. He co-authored a National Institute of Mental Health-funded grant on mental health intervention for Head Start families. He is passionate about teaching evidence-based integrative medicine and helping patients understand the deeper signals their bodies send.
Education & Training
Undergraduate
University of North Texas, BA in Psychology, 1982
Medical School
Medical degree (MD)
Additional Training
MA in Psychology; Doctoral degree in Health and Human Services with a focus in Clinical Psychology
Certifications
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. de Mello right for?
Dr. de Mello is a strong fit for patients who want their mental and physical health addressed together. Adults navigating chronic conditions, hormonal imbalances, or stress-related illness benefit from his dual background in clinical psychology and integrative medicine. He works well with patients whose symptoms have resisted conventional diagnosis. His depth of training suits those who want a thorough, evidence-based explanation for what their body is doing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. de Mello treats a wide range of conditions through the lens of functional, preventive, and internal medicine. He addresses hormonal imbalances, chronic illness, mental health concerns, and stress-related conditions. His background in clinical psychology allows him to treat patients whose physical symptoms have psychological dimensions as well.
Yes. Dr. de Mello holds board certification as an Integrative Physician through the American Board of Physician Specialties. He also holds board certification as a Psychotherapist through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. That dual certification reflects his training in both medicine and mental health.
Dr. de Mello earned a BA in Psychology from the University of North Texas, followed by an MA in Psychology and a doctoral degree in Health and Human Services with a focus in Clinical Psychology. He then completed his medical degree. Before medical school, he spent 13 years practicing Community Clinical Psychology.
Dr. de Mello builds each care plan around a patient's unique life history. He integrates functional medicine, preventive medicine, and internal medicine into a single, coherent approach. He believes that understanding the deeper signals the body sends is central to effective, lasting treatment.
Yes. Dr. de Mello co-authored a National Institute of Mental Health-funded grant focused on mental health intervention for Head Start families. He remains passionate about evidence-based integrative medicine and its role in both clinical practice and education.
Dr. de Mello credits his grandmother in Rio de Janeiro as his first integrative medicine teacher. Her use of herbal teas and natural remedies sparked his early interest in whole-person care. That passion guided his career from clinical psychology into medicine and eventually led him to found the Akasha Center in 2002.
Yes. Dr. de Mello holds board certification as a Psychotherapist through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. He regularly works with patients whose physical symptoms intersect with mental health. His 13 years in Community Clinical Psychology give him a strong foundation for treating both dimensions of a patient's health.
Doctor profile last updated March 21, 2026