Care for Anxiety, OCD, ADHD, and Depression With a Psychiatrist Near Santa Monica, CA

Care for Anxiety, OCD, ADHD, and Depression With a Psychiatrist Near Santa Monica, CA

Patient completing a CBT and ERP thought record in a calm Santa Monica setting, illustrating personalized mental health care from a Psychiatrist in Santa Monica, CA

Last Updated: Sept 16 2026

People who live or work around Santa Monica, including the Water Garden and the broader Silicon Beach area, may seek psychiatric care for anxiety, ADHD, OCD, depression, insomnia, PTSD, or other mental health concerns that are affecting daily life. L. David Willison IV, MD, PhD sees patients at 10850 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 850 in Westwood, east of Santa Monica. Because there is no separate Santa Monica office, patients planning an in-person visit should check current travel conditions along the Wilshire Boulevard corridor before leaving.

Dr. Willison’s practice identifies him as double-board-certified in child and adolescent psychiatry and general adult psychiatry, and he holds both an MD and a PhD. His treatment approach may combine medication management and psychotherapy according to the diagnosis and individual patient. This includes cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure and response prevention for OCD, with other CBT, exposure-based, therapeutic, or medication approaches considered when appropriate for anxiety disorders, depression, ADHD, PTSD, insomnia, and other conditions.

Reserve Your Santa Monica Visit | Call (415) 412-4613

Psychiatric Care Built for the Way Santa Monica Actually Lives and Works

Dr. Willison’s practice combines psychiatric evaluation, medication management when indicated, and psychotherapy according to the patient’s diagnosis, history, preferences, and treatment goals. His MD and PhD training provide both clinical and research perspectives, while treatment decisions remain based on an individualized psychiatric assessment. He discusses the available options with patients so medication, psychotherapy, or a combination can be considered according to the clinical situation.

People seeking psychiatric care from Santa Monica may need help with anxiety, ADHD, OCD, depression, PTSD, insomnia, autism-related concerns, or another mental health condition. That can include adults working near the Water Garden or elsewhere in Silicon Beach, parents seeking child or adolescent psychiatric evaluation, or adults looking for medication management or psychotherapy. Each patient begins with an evaluation so symptoms, history, functioning, and appropriate treatment options can be considered individually.

A Straight Drive East on Wilshire From Santa Monica to Westwood

Dr. Willison does not maintain a separate office in Santa Monica. His in-person practice is at 10850 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 850 in Westwood. Wilshire Boulevard provides a direct geographic corridor between Santa Monica and Westwood, but the best route and travel time vary with traffic, construction, starting point, and time of day. Patients should check current navigation before an in-person appointment rather than relying on a fixed drive-time estimate.

The Wilshire Boulevard corridor provides a direct connection between Santa Monica and Dr. Willison’s Westwood office. Some patients may prefer an in-person location outside their immediate neighborhood, while others may prefer telehealth when it is clinically appropriate and available. Regardless of visit format, questions about confidentiality, communication, records, or office procedures can be discussed with the practice before treatment begins.

Telehealth follow-up appointments may also be available for established patients when clinically appropriate. Dr. Willison’s current practice information indicates that most patients begin with an in-person initial evaluation and may use a combination of in-person and telehealth follow-ups afterward. Confirm the appropriate visit format when scheduling, particularly for a new patient, child, or adolescent.

Why Consider Dr. Willison for Psychiatric Care Near Santa Monica?

When comparing psychiatric care near Santa Monica, patients may consider physician credentials, age groups treated, psychotherapy experience, medication-management capabilities, appointment format, and office accessibility. The points below summarize current features of Dr. Willison’s Westwood practice.

  • Double board certification: Dr. Willison is board-certified in both child and adolescent psychiatry and general adult psychiatry, so one practice can care for a teenager, a parent, or an adult
  • An MD and a PhD: his dual training brings a research-informed, objective, and quantitative lens to diagnosis and treatment, grounded in a PhD in cell biology from UCSF
  • Integrative treatment, not medication alone: care combines medication management with psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention
  • OCD and anxiety treatment: Dr. Willison uses cognitive behavioral approaches including exposure and response prevention for OCD and exposure-based strategies for selected anxiety disorders when clinically appropriate
  • VA anxiety and ADHD experience: he is an attending psychiatrist in the Anxiety Disorders Clinic at the VA Medical Center and was the founding attending psychiatrist of its adult ADHD clinic
  • Westwood office location: in-person appointments are provided at 10850 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood, along the Wilshire Boulevard corridor east of Santa Monica
  • Evening and Saturday appointments: hours run into the evening on weekdays and include Saturdays, which suits working professionals and busy families
  • Telehealth follow-up availability: established patients may be able to use telehealth for follow-up care when clinically appropriate, with visit format confirmed individually

Common Goals of Psychiatric Treatment

Treatment goals depend on the diagnosis, symptom severity, functioning, previous treatment, and the individual patient. Depending on the concern, care may focus on reducing symptoms, improving concentration or sleep, managing intrusive thoughts, supporting relationships, or improving day-to-day functioning. Outcomes and treatment needs vary from person to person.

Steadier Focus for High-Pressure Silicon Beach Careers

Attention problems, anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and other psychiatric symptoms can affect concentration and organization at work, including for people working near the Water Garden or elsewhere in Silicon Beach. A psychiatric evaluation can help distinguish ADHD from anxiety, mood symptoms, sleep problems, medication effects, and other possible contributors. Treatment may include behavioral strategies, psychotherapy, medication management, or a combination depending on the diagnosis and individual needs.

Relief From the Weight of Depression and Low Mood

Depression can affect mood, energy, motivation, concentration, sleep, relationships, and enjoyment of activities regardless of a person’s surroundings. Treatment may include psychotherapy, medication, or both depending on severity, previous treatment, medical history, and patient preference. The goal is to reduce symptoms and improve functioning, but response and treatment timelines vary from person to person.

Calmer Days With Fewer Intrusive Thoughts and Compulsions

OCD can involve intrusive thoughts and compulsions that interfere with ordinary routines, including activities such as spending time at Palisades Park. Exposure and response prevention is a specialized form of cognitive behavioral therapy with strong evidence for OCD and works by helping patients face triggers while reducing compulsive responses in a structured therapeutic setting. Medication may also be considered depending on the diagnosis and individual case, and treatment response varies.

More Restful Sleep and a Calmer Nervous System

Insomnia can occur on its own or alongside conditions such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Evaluation should consider sleep patterns, psychiatric symptoms, medications, substances, medical conditions, and other possible contributors. For chronic insomnia, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, or CBT-I, is recommended as a first-line treatment for adults, while medication may be considered in selected cases. PTSD follows a separate diagnosis-specific treatment plan rather than treating sleep disturbance alone.

How Dr. Willison Structures Care for Santa Monica Patients

Care is organized into a few connected areas so patients can understand how an evaluation may develop into a treatment plan. In-person care is provided at the Westwood office. Telehealth follow-up may also be available for established patients when clinically appropriate, with the appropriate visit format confirmed individually.

Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation and Diagnosis

Care begins with a psychiatric evaluation that considers current symptoms, psychiatric and medical history, medications, development, family history when relevant, functioning, and the broader context of the patient’s life. Dr. Willison’s research background informs an evidence-oriented approach, but diagnosis is based on the full clinical assessment and may sometimes require follow-up, additional information, or coordination with other clinicians. He then explains the working diagnosis and available treatment options in understandable terms.

Medication Management for Adults, Teens, and Children

As a physician, Dr. Willison can evaluate the medical side of mental health and manage medication when it is part of the plan. He tailors medication choices to the individual and monitors them over time, adjusting carefully rather than prescribing on autopilot. Medication is used thoughtfully, often in combination with therapy rather than as a stand-alone answer.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy With Exposure and Response Prevention

Cognitive behavioral therapy includes several structured approaches tailored to different conditions. Exposure and response prevention is particularly well established for OCD and involves gradual exposure to triggers while reducing compulsive responses. Exposure-based CBT can also be appropriate for selected anxiety disorders, but the specific method should be matched to the diagnosis, symptoms, age, and individual treatment plan.

Child, Adolescent, Family, and Couples Support

Dr. Willison completed fellowship training in child and adolescent psychiatry and treats children, adolescents, and adults. He also offers family and couples psychotherapy. When a child or adolescent is being treated, parent or caregiver participation may be incorporated when clinically appropriate, with the structure of treatment determined by the patient’s age, diagnosis, confidentiality needs, and treatment goals.

The Conditions and Services Santa Monica Patients Come In For

  • Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and diagnosis
  • Medication management for all ages
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention
  • In-person visits in Westwood and telehealth follow-up appointments for established patients when clinically appropriate

About Dr. Willison, the Psychiatrist Behind Every Santa Monica Visit

Care is provided directly by Dr. Willison, whose training and experience span child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry.

L. David Willison IV, MD, PhD: Double-Board-Certified Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist

Dr. Willison is double-board-certified in child and adolescent psychiatry and general adult psychiatry and holds both an MD and a PhD. He earned a bachelor of science in biology from MIT, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi, then completed the Medical Scientist Training Program at UCSF, earning a PhD in cell biology in 2005 and his medical degree in 2008. He completed psychiatry residency at UCLA in 2012 and child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship there in 2014. His practice website also identifies him as an attending psychiatrist in the Anxiety Disorders Clinic at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center and as the founding attending psychiatrist of its adult ADHD clinic. His research and medical training inform an evidence-oriented approach to evaluation, psychotherapy, and medication management.

Santa Monica Neighborhoods Dr. Willison Welcomes Patients From

Dr. Willison’s Westwood office is positioned to serve people seeking psychiatric care from Santa Monica and nearby Westside communities. Relevant Santa Monica neighborhoods, business areas, and corridors include:

Common Questions Santa Monica Patients Have Before a First Session

Is Dr. Willison's office located in Santa Monica?

No. Dr. Willison’s office is in Westwood at 10850 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 850. There is no separate Santa Monica office. Wilshire Boulevard provides a direct geographic corridor between Santa Monica and Westwood, but travel time varies with traffic, construction, starting point, and time of day, so check current navigation before an in-person appointment.

Telehealth follow-up may be available for established patients when clinically appropriate. Dr. Willison’s current practice information indicates that most patients begin with an in-person initial evaluation at the Westwood office and may use telehealth for selected follow-up visits afterward. Confirm the appropriate format when scheduling, particularly for a new patient, child, or adolescent.

Yes. Hours run into the evening on weekdays and include Saturday, which makes it easier for busy Santa Monica professionals and families to schedule around work and school. The office is closed Sunday and Monday.

Fitting Mental Health Care Into a Santa Monica Schedule

Mental health symptoms can affect concentration, sleep, relationships, work, and ordinary routines regardless of setting. That may include a workday near the Water Garden or elsewhere in Silicon Beach, time spent walking through Palisades Park, or commuting along the Wilshire Boulevard corridor between Santa Monica and Westwood. Dr. Willison provides in-person psychiatric care at his Westwood office, with telehealth follow-up available for some established patients when clinically appropriate. Current appointment times and visit format should be confirmed directly with the practice.

What Dr. Willison's Patients and Families Share

These reviews describe individual patient experiences. Diagnosis, treatment recommendations, medication response, therapy progress, and results vary from person to person.

“Dr. David Willison has been an incredible support to our family for the past five years. His care, compassion, and thoughtful approach have made a lasting impact on all of us. He’s been there through both challenging moments and joyful milestones, always offering not only medical expertise but genuine kindness. It’s hard to put into words how grateful we are for everything he’s done. We feel so fortunate to have him as our doctor — he truly goes above and beyond.”

- YVETTE NAVARRO

“Dr. Willison is a knowledgeable and caring physician. I have had the privilege of being under his care for the past 10 years, and he also provided care for my son for three years. In my experience, Dr. Willison consistently goes above and beyond in offering guidance, and he always takes the time to provide clear information and options to help me make informed decisions about my health.”

- Meredith Chinn

“Dr. Willison is straight forward, yet very compassionate. He listened to our concerns, and was able to SEE our son and provide hope.”

- Norma Lazcano

Booking a First Visit From Santa Monica Is Simple

Call (415) 412-4613 or request an appointment online to contact Dr. Willison’s practice. The office can explain what to expect from an initial psychiatric evaluation, confirm whether an in-person visit or telehealth follow-up is appropriate, and review current appointment availability. Patients travelling from Santa Monica can check current conditions along the Wilshire Boulevard corridor before an in-person visit.

  • Address: 10850 Wilshire Blvd Ste 850, Los Angeles, CA 90024
  • Website: https://ldavidwillisonmdphd.com/
  • Hours: Tuesday and Friday, 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Wednesday and Thursday, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Saturday, 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Closed Sunday and Monday.

Call (415) 412-4613 | Reserve Your Santa Monica Visit

David Willison IV, MD, PhD 10850 Wilshire Blvd Ste 850, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Frequently Asked Questions for a Psychiatrist in Santa Monica, CA

What triggers anxiety disorders?

Anxiety disorders do not have one universal trigger or cause. Genetics, temperament, stressful or traumatic experiences, medical conditions, medications, substances, and environmental factors can all contribute differently from person to person. Stress may worsen symptoms in some people, but a psychiatric evaluation is needed to understand the individual pattern and rule out other possible contributors.

Yes. Avoiding feared situations can provide short-term relief while reinforcing fear over time for some anxiety disorders. Exposure-based therapy addresses this cycle gradually and in a structured way. Other factors such as poor sleep, substance use, or excessive caffeine may also worsen symptoms for some people, so treatment should focus on the individual diagnosis and pattern rather than one universal habit.

Yes. Psychotherapy can be an effective treatment for many anxiety disorders, and medication is not required for every patient. Cognitive behavioral and exposure-based therapies are among the evidence-based approaches used for selected anxiety conditions. Medication may be considered depending on symptom severity, diagnosis, previous treatment, medical history, and patient preference.

It helps to avoid patterns that overload an already-taxed attention system, such as chronic sleep deprivation, unstructured multitasking, and excessive screen time late at night. Skipping routines and leaving tasks unstructured also tends to make symptoms harder to manage. A treatment plan often pairs practical strategies with medication when appropriate.

Poor sleep, high stress, and disorganized environments can all amplify ADHD symptoms, and untreated anxiety or depression frequently makes focus and follow-through worse. Substance use and irregular routines are common aggravators as well. Addressing these alongside core treatment usually improves day-to-day functioning.

ADHD that is not recognized or adequately managed can interfere with school, work, organization, relationships, driving, and emotional wellbeing, although the degree of impairment varies. ADHD can also occur alongside anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and other conditions. A psychiatric evaluation can determine whether ADHD is present and what combination of behavioral strategies, medication, psychotherapy, or other support may be appropriate.

Insomnia can affect people across age groups. Risk can be higher in people experiencing stress, chronic pain, medical conditions, anxiety, depression, PTSD, other sleep disorders, or disrupted schedules. Because insomnia can have several contributors, evaluation should focus on the individual sleep pattern and possible underlying causes rather than assuming it is primarily related to occupation or lifestyle.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, often abbreviated CBT-I, is widely regarded as a first-line treatment and addresses the thoughts and behaviors that keep sleep disrupted. Medication may be used in some situations, usually as a shorter-term or complementary measure. The best plan depends on what is driving the sleeplessness in the first place.

PTSD is not necessarily permanent. It is a treatable condition, and many people experience meaningful improvement with evidence-based therapy and, when appropriate, medication. Recovery looks different for each person, but effective treatment can substantially reduce symptoms and their impact on daily life.

PTSD symptoms can intensify in response to trauma reminders, ongoing stress, poor sleep, substance use, or other individual triggers. Avoidance of trauma reminders is also a common feature of PTSD itself. Treatment should be individualized according to symptoms, history, co-occurring conditions, previous treatment, and patient preference.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) who can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medication, and many also provide therapy. A psychologist holds a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) and provides therapy and psychological testing but generally cannot prescribe. A therapist is a broader term for licensed professionals who provide talk therapy. Dr. Willison is a physician, so he can address both the medical and therapeutic sides of care.

Yes. Because a psychiatrist is a medical doctor, Dr. Willison can evaluate the medical aspects of mental health, prescribe and manage medication, and rule out physical causes of symptoms. He often combines medication management with psychotherapy rather than relying on medication alone, tailoring the approach to each patient.

Dr. Willison is a private-pay practice and is not a participating member of any insurance panel. He can provide a detailed invoice, sometimes called a superbill, that you may submit to your insurance for possible out-of-network reimbursement, and he accepts major credit cards and health savings account cards. The office can walk Santa Monica patients through the details when you schedule.

Exposure and response prevention, or ERP, is a specialized form of cognitive behavioral therapy best established for obsessive-compulsive disorder. During ERP, patients gradually face thoughts, situations, or triggers that provoke obsessions while learning to reduce compulsive responses. Exposure-based CBT can also be used for certain anxiety disorders, but the exact approach depends on the diagnosis and individual treatment plan.

Yes. Dr. Willison completed fellowship training in child and adolescent psychiatry and treats children and teenagers as well as adults. In-person appointments are provided at the Westwood office. Telehealth follow-up may be available for established patients when clinically appropriate, but the office should confirm the appropriate format for a child or teenager, especially for an initial evaluation.

Dr. Willison’s practice is not an emergency or crisis service. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, or another mental health crisis, call or text 988 for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Compassionate, Evidence-Based Psychiatry Within Reach of Santa Monica

If you want a psychiatrist who will take the time to truly listen, walk you through the medication and therapy options in language that makes sense, and build a plan that supports both how you feel day to day and how you function at work and at home, Dr. Willison offers exactly that kind of care. Reach out whenever you are ready, and the office will help you take the first step from just down Wilshire in Santa Monica.

Take the First Step Toward Feeling Like Yourself Again

Reserve Your Santa Monica Visit | Call (415) 412-4613

David Willison IV, MD, PhD 10850 Wilshire Blvd Ste 850, Los Angeles, CA 90024

https://ldavidwillisonmdphd.com/

Hours:

  • Tuesday: 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
  • Thursday: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
  • Friday: 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
  • Saturday: 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
  • Sunday and Monday: Closed