seeking psychatrist in the Los Angeles area
February 18, 2004 10:51 AM   Subscribe

A relatively shy MeFi member (and you know I'd admit it if it was me) is looking for advice on finding a good psychatrist in the Los Angeles area. More interested in talking therapy than medication, though not ruling anything out.

Private responses can be sent to SHRINKatWENDELLWITdotCOM.
posted by wendell to Health & Fitness (8 answers total)
 
Talisman, Fred R - Talisman Institute
(310) 374-0372

He's in Marina Del Rey. Good for personal issues and couples counseling. Not a MD, but good for easy talking therapy.
posted by Argyle at 10:59 AM on February 18, 2004


I've never been to him but I've read his books and benefited from them. He's anti-medication. William Glasser is in Chatsworth California. I have no idea if that is near LA or not.
posted by dobbs at 11:20 AM on February 18, 2004


Does the person in question have experience with a shrink outside of LA? It would be worth asking for a reference from someone s/he already knows; I would think that would offer a somewhat better chance of compatability.
posted by o2b at 11:27 AM on February 18, 2004


Sounds like what is wanted is a clinical psychologist. Psychiatrists these days mostly diagnose, prescribe and manage the meds. Of course I know this from personal experience.

If meds do turn out to be required it is still usually really important to have a therapist as well as a pdoc.

Altho it is a great idea to try to get by without meds if possible, I don't really recommend going to someone who is rabidly antimed. If it turns out meds are really necessary you have wasted time and money-and also may be further wounded by the process.


If you or the shy Mefi person wants to ask me anything privately, I have an email addy in the profile (be patient-I check that one only once every day or two.)
posted by konolia at 11:55 AM on February 18, 2004


Explorer user, huh?
posted by matteo at 12:39 PM on February 18, 2004


FWIW, my old roommate was/is a psyche MD at UCLA. The 3rd & 4th year residents have to see patients privately as part of their program; and since it's a school-sponsored program, they charge, like, ten bucks a session. Mental health can be expensive and is (sometimes) under-covered by traditional medical plans. Might be worth looking into, as these docs do both cognitive and prescriptive treatments. You'll get an hour of therapy a week, the ability to have your therapist write a prescription should you need it, it won't cost you an arm and a leg, and UCLA medical center is one of the best in Southern California.
posted by herc at 1:35 PM on February 18, 2004


I'd like to find someone in the Cincinnati area who is accepting of homosexuality. Any ideas?
posted by benjh at 7:28 PM on February 19, 2004


Do you mean a psychatrist or just a Cincinnatian?
posted by milovoo at 11:47 AM on February 20, 2004


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