How to find a good psychiatrist in LA??

May 4, 2008 9:39 AM

I am looking for a competent psychiatrist in Los Angeles, CA area. My sister has serious emotional and alcohol issues. She had a bad experience with an incompetent psychiatrist. I am very worry about her. I need to get a name of a good psychiatrist that can change her attitude about psychiatry. Any referral or recommendations?
posted by toofan to health (3 comments total)

A few questions that might help you get better answers:

Does your sister specifically need a psychiatrist (i.e., someone who can prescribe medication), or would a psychologist work? Can you explain a bit what the problem was with the previous psychiatrist? Does she need to stay within a certain health insurance network?
posted by scody at 10:49 AM on May 4

If she has issues with alcohol, I'd recommend looking for someone who specializes in such issues (alcohol dependence/substance abuse), whether you choose a psychologist, psychiatrist, or MFT.
posted by chicainthecity at 2:16 PM on May 4

Please let your sister know that you can have a bad experience even with a competent therapist. Personal style makes a big difference. Just because one (or two or three) don't work doesn't mean that nothing will - it so important to keep trying because she can feel better and the life she wants, she just needs the right team to help her.

I can't make any specific recommendations but in California, usually therapy is done by psychologists, MFT or licensed social workers. Psychiatrists are so expensive, they are usually used mostly for medication management. There are also organizations that offer full service treatment for addictions/alcoholism although again, two different people may have very different reactions to the same threapist/treatment.

Finally, you need to know that you can't make your sister get better. It is great to help by locating the resources that she needs but there is a chance that she might not be ready to take advantage of them at this stage. If you find that you want her recovery far more than she does, then you may want to look into resources for yourself such as Al-Anon that help people find the most effective way to deal with a loved one's addiction.
posted by metahawk at 7:29 PM on May 4