Mental Health Providers
This page is provided to assist in finding mental health referrals, primarily in the Los Angeles area. Listing here does not constitute a specific endorsement of a particular provider for a particular individual. Please consult your doctor if you have any questions about the appropriate treatment for you.
California’s health insurance exchange, developed under the Affordable Care Act, is now open. For more information on whether you may be eligible for subsidized insurance or to compare insurance plans, visit www.coveredca.com or call (800) 300-1506.
Psychiatry Clinics in West LA
UCLA Neuropsychiatric & Biobehavioral Health Services Access number: mainly for individuals who are already established patients of a primary physician affiliated with UCLA Health Care. 310-825-9989.
UCLA-NPI Women’s Life Center does consultations on reproductive aspects of psychiatry, including concerns around psychiatric medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Low-Cost & County Mental Health Clinics
This organization list is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, legal advice or professional counseling services. Provision of this information is not intended to create, and receipt does not constitute, a physician-patient, attorney-client or counselor-patient relationship. This information does not constitute endorsement or oversight by UCLA Health Systems. Always call to verify the accuracy of this information.
• Airport Marina Counseling Services - Westchester (310) 670-1410
• California Graduate Institute Counseling Center- Los Angeles (310) 208-4240
• Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Westwood (310) 208-4240
• Didi Hirsch provides mental health and substance abuse services to those in need, regardless of ability to pay. Services are available at multiple locations around Los Angeles.
• Edelman Westside Mental Health Center: 11080 W Olympic Blvd Los Angeles, California 90064-1937 - phone (310) 966-6500
• Family Service of Santa Monica - Santa Monica (310) 451-9747
• Jewish Family Services - Los Angeles (877) 7275-4537
• Jewish Family Services - Santa Monica (310) 231-9228
• Jewish Family Services - West L.A. (323) 761-8800
• The Maple Counseling Center - Beverly Hills (310) 271-9999
• Pepperdine Psychological and Educational Clinics - Culver City (866) 396-8970
• The Saturday Center – Santa Monica (310) 829-7997
• UCLA Psychology Clinic - Westwood (310) 825-2305
• Venice Family Clinic provides a variety of health services including mental health care.
• Wright Institute Los Angeles - Los Angeles (310) 277-2796
Private Practice Psychiatrists in Los Angeles
Psychiatrists listed here may or may not currently take insurance. It is generally a good idea to discuss this when making the initial appointment.
Kelly Foster, MD, adult psychiatry in Brentwood, CA. Expertise in women’s mental health and complementary & integrative psychiatry.
John Kelleher, MD, adult psychiatry in Beverly Hills, CA.
P. David Leviadin, MD FIPA and Institute for Biobehavioral Medicine
Jason E. Schiffman, MD, MS, MBA, expertise in addiction and anxiety disorders.
Edward Spencer, MD, adult psychiatry in Beverly Hills, CA.
Somatic Therapies: ECT and TMS/rTMS
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy (TMS) and its variant Repetitive TMS (rTMS) are non-invasive approaches to change brain function. They are relatively new therapies. Although they were recently approved in the US for chronic depression that has not responded to other treatments, not all insurance plans cover them. UCLA has a TMS consult service. Information about it can be found here: http://www.tmslosangeles.com.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), sometimes called “shock therapy”, has a controversial reputation based on overuse and poor understanding of the physiological mechanisms back in the middle of the 20th century. Currently, ECT is a very effective and generally safe treatment for depression and bipolar disorder. It is typically considered in three types of situations:
• Severe depression or mania in order to get a rapid improvement in symptoms.
• Depression or bipolar disorder that have not responded to several adequate trials of medication.
• Depression or bipolar disorder in patients who cannot tolerate side effects of antidepressant or mood-stabilizing medications, or who have a medical reason not to take such medications (such as pregnancy).
The following are providers of ECT services in Los Angeles:
UCLA Semel Neuropsychiatric Institute
ECT is very closely regulated in California. This link describes your rights if you are considering ECT.
Other Psychotherapists in Los Angeles
General strategies for finding a psychotherapist:
Obviously, a referral from your current physician or other provider is a good start and may indicate that your physician has worked with a given therapist before.
Psychotherapists listed here may or may not currently take insurance. It is generally a good idea to discuss this when making the initial appointment.
If you do not have a referral from your health care provider or are unaware of therapists in your area who take your insurance, often a good first step is to go to your health insurance company’s website. Most health insurance providers these days have a readily available list of mental health providers near you. However, be aware that inclusion on a list does not mean that a given provider currently is currently taking new patients; another exception is that many providers who work part-time for a university medical center will be listed, although they count as “in network” only for services provided through the medical center and not in their private practice.
Psychology Today has a search funtion for psychotherapists that can help locate a psychotherapist near you. They have some information on which therapists take which insurance plans, if any, though it may not always be current.
David Plotkin & Associates – CBT for anxiety disorders and other psychological problems. Phone: 310-285-8355
J. Greg Serpa, PhD, psychotherapy in West Hollywood, expertise in both CBT and psychodynamic therapies for LGBT issues, HIV, addiction, trauma & PTSD. 450 N. Robertson, West Hollywood, CA. (310) 343-3459
New Center for Psychoanalysis – Psychoanalytic & psychodynamic psychotherapies
Renewed Freedom Center – specializing in CBT for anxiety disorders, primarily in children & adolescents but also see adult patients.
UCLA Family Commons is an innovative project that provides workshops, parent & family education, mind-body training in martial arts & yoga, and summer camps—all designed to improve the functioning of healthy families.
Westwood Institute for Anxiety Disorders – specializing in CBT for anxiety disorders, primarily in adults, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, and phobias.