Dr. Geralyn Datz is President and Clinical Director of Southern Behavioral Medicine Associates. She is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in behavioral medicine. Dr. Datz is also a licensed Medical Psychologist in Louisiana.
Dr. Datz completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at SUNY Stony Brook in Long Island, NY, a program which ranks in the Top 50 Graduate Schools in the US. She specialized in behavioral medicine during her residency at the New Orleans Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and during fellowship at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University. Pennington is recognized for its scientific contributions to understanding metabolic syndromes, weight gain, and lifestyle change, and is ranked as one of the Top 10 Postdoctoral Fellowships in the country. Dr Datz completed her Masters of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology (MSCP) at Alliant University in June 2020. The MSCP allows psychologists to prescribe in certain states such as Louisiana, Illinois, Idaho and New Mexico. Dr. Datz is a licensed Medical Psychologist in Louisiana.
Dr. Datz provides assessment and treatment of physical and mental health problems. She is also a recognized forensic expert and provides Independent Medical Opinions. Her specialties include treatment of chronic pain, opioid dependence, trauma, panic, anxiety, and adjustment disorders. Personal injuries and chronic illnesses are special populations that she treats. She has treated patients with complex challenges such as traumatic brain injury, complex regional pain syndrome and catastrophic injuries.
Dr. Datz is Clinical Director of the Pain Rehabilitation Program, a 20-day intensive rehabilitation program for injured workers that teaches people how to return to work and daily activity after injuries that result in chronic pain. By treating the “whole person” interference associated with pain and emotional distress is reduced or eliminated. A strong focus is placed on eliminating or replacing opioids and other pain medications, and teaching pain sufferers how to self-manage their symptoms with other proven methods.
Dr. Datz is Past President of the Southern Pain Society. She is active in several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM), Society for Behavioral Medicine (SBM), Southern Pain Society (SPS), American Psychological Association (APA), Louisiana State Bar Association and conducts educational programs for Workers Compensation and industry professionals.
Dr. Datz is a nationally recognized speaker. She has spoken at PainWeek, WCI360, RIMS, American Pain Society, Southern Pain Society, American Academy of Pain Medicine, Mississippi Psychiatric Association, and the MS Workers Compensation Educational Association. She has been interviewed and quoted by the National Pain Report, Women’s Day, Health24.com, QuantiaMD, PainWeek, Health.com, Medscape, PainEDU, Clarion Ledger, Hattiesburg American, and WDAM.
Southern Behavioral Medicine Associates is composed of an interdisciplinary staff of healthcare providers. All of SBMA's staff are licensed, trained in evidence based treatments and are passionate about helping clients recover and return to life.
Staff include:
Sandy Adams, PsyD
Melanie Monk, LCSW
Monica Harper, LPC, NCC, CRC, MAC, CCS
Erica VanOverloop, MA
Roxanne Watts, MA
Jacqueline Stroud, MA
Rachel Lawrence, MA
Lisa Pigg, LMSW
Lisa Williams, LMSW
Psychologists and clinical therapists provide group and individual psychotherapy and assessment and are credentialed under major insurance carriers. Specializations include trauma, grief, depression, bipolar, PTSD, panic and anxiety, adolescents, eating disorders, fit for duty, disability and return to work assessments.
The Pain Rehabilitation Program has a diverse staff including a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Board Certified Physical Medicine Physician (DO), clinical therapists (LCSW), Registered Nutritionist (RD), Registered Yoga Therapist (RYT), and a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT).
