Laura Burdette, M.D.

Board-Certified General Psychiatrist
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Licensed to Practice Medicine in South Carolina
- South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners
Member of the American Psychiatric Association (APA)
Member of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (AAPL)

My Why

My fascination with the field of psychiatry began long ago. It was apparent to me that I had a keen interest as to why people are the way they are. Early in my medical training, I learned that I care deeply for the psychological aspects of my patients, not just their physical ailments. It seemed to me that even the healthiest person could feel pain and the most ill could experience joy, with the common denominator being their mental health.

Throughout residency, fellowship, and my diverse clinical experiences, my love for this field has continued to grow. The relationships I have built with my patients have allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the human condition and have taught me about my preferred treatment style. I find that I work best as a psychiatrist and a therapist so that I can provide comprehensive care many patients desire. I have a passion for helping people feel like their best selves and I look forward to guiding my patients on their journey to a happy and heathy life.

My Story

I was born and raised in Charleston, West Virginia. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Doctor of Medicine degree at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Having spent most of my younger years in the mountains, I was looking for an exciting change, which led me to move near the beaches in Charleston, South Carolina for psychiatry residency.

I completed residency training at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). During my fourth year of residency I was selected by my peers and faculty as a Chief Resident. In my role as a Chief Resident, I was responsible for scheduling clinical rotations and functioning as the resident liaison for the Charleston-Dorchester Mental Health Center. After graduating from residency I entered the MUSC Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship Program. During fellowship, I conducted court-ordered and private forensic evaluations, served as a Designated Examiner at Berkeley and Charleston County Probate Courts, and provided medication management services at the South Carolina Department of Corrections and the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice. These experiences honed my diagnostic skills and provided me a unique perspective into the intersection of psychiatry and the law.

I have worked in various clinical settings, including but not limited to, inpatient psychiatric units (e.g., Acute Care, Child and Adolescent, General Adult, Geriatric), Women's Mental Health, and the PTSD Clinical Team (PCT) at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. I provided counseling and medication management services for MUSC students in the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) clinic and therapy services for MUSC employees in the MUSC Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Through these experiences I gained proficiency in Supportive Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy.