Psychiatrist in West Los Angeles
Double Board-Certified Psychiatrist in West Los Angeles, CA for Children, Adolescents & Adults
L. David Willison IV, MD, PhD operates a private psychiatry practice on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, a short drive east of West Los Angeles. Patients from Sawtelle, Rancho Park, Westside Village, and across the 90025 and 90064 zip codes work with a double-board-certified psychiatrist trained in both child and adolescent psychiatry and general adult psychiatry. Dr. Willison provides integrative treatment that pairs evidence-based medication management with psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention for anxiety, OCD, depression, and insomnia.
Mental Health Care Built Around the Lifespan for West Los Angeles Patients
Finding a psychiatrist who handles complex diagnoses with both clinical depth and a friendly bedside manner is rarely a quick search. The Westside is home to many providers who specialize narrowly, treat only one age group, or rotate patients through brief medication checks. Dr. Willison’s private practice was built as the alternative for West Los Angeles patients who want one psychiatrist who can evaluate, diagnose, prescribe, and provide therapy across the lifespan, a single point of clinical continuity rather than a network of separate referrals.
The patients we see from West Los Angeles range from working professionals navigating panic attacks or insomnia, to graduate students managing OCD or ADHD, to families with a child or adolescent whose anxiety has begun to interfere with school or sleep. Many find Dr. Willison through a primary care referral, a therapist referral, or a recommendation from a neighbor in the 90025 or 90064 area. Each first visit begins with a full 90 to 120 minute evaluation rather than a 15 minute intake, so the treatment plan that follows reflects an accurate picture of what is actually going on.
Reaching Our Wilshire Boulevard Office From West Los Angeles in Minutes
Dr. Willison practices out of Suite 850 at 10850 Wilshire Boulevard, just one block east of the Wilshire Federal Building and immediately adjacent to the 405 Freeway interchange. From the heart of Sawtelle Japantown or the Sawtelle Boulevard corridor, the drive is usually five to ten minutes via Wilshire Boulevard or Santa Monica Boulevard, with on-site building access for patients arriving by car.
That positioning is one of the practical reasons patients across the 90025 and 90064 zip codes find the practice convenient. While the office technically sits on the Westwood side of the Wilshire Federal Building, it functions as a gateway location for West Los Angeles, closer to the West LA border than many providers situated further east. Patients coming in for a Tuesday afternoon medication check, a Friday evening therapy session, or a Saturday adolescent appointment can fold the visit into the same trip as a stop in Sawtelle for ramen, a workout near Bundy, or an errand along Pico Boulevard.
For patients who associate West Los Angeles with the small-business rhythm of Sawtelle, the family pace of Rancho Park and Westside Village, or the cinematic history of the Landmark’s Nuart Theatre on Santa Monica Boulevard, the route to the Wilshire suite reads as a familiar stretch rather than a cross-town trek. Dr. Willison treats every patient driving in from the 90025 or 90064 area as a neighborhood patient first, with appointment hours that respect work schedules, school pickup, and the realities of Westside traffic.
What Sets Dr. Willison Apart for West Los Angeles Patients and Families
Patients and families from West Los Angeles typically reach out only after a long search for a psychiatrist they can trust with sensitive decisions about medication, therapy, and long-term care planning. What they find here is a practice built around accurate diagnosis, integrative treatment, and a psychiatrist who personally handles every visit. The points below capture what most West Los Angeles patients say sets the practice apart.
Double-Board-Certified Credentials
Dr. Willison holds board certification in both child and adolescent psychiatry and in general adult psychiatry, an uncommon dual credential that lets him treat patients across every life stage.
Care Across Every Age
Children, adolescents, and adults all work with the same psychiatrist, so a West Los Angeles family can keep treatment within one practice as everyone’s needs evolve.
CBT with Exposure and Response Prevention
Dr. Willison provides evidence-based cognitive-behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention for anxiety disorders, OCD, depression, and insomnia, rather than referring out for talk therapy.
Integrative Treatment Planning
Every plan combines medication management and psychotherapy in proportions tailored to the patient, instead of defaulting to medication alone or therapy alone.
Research-Grounded Clinical Approach
Dr. Willison earned a PhD in cell biology from UCSF before completing his MD, and that scientific training shapes how he interprets symptoms, evaluates evidence, and explains options.
UCLA-Trained Psychiatrist
Dr. Willison completed his psychiatry residency at UCLA in 2012 and his child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at UCLA in 2014.
VA West Los Angeles Affiliation
in addition to his private practice, Dr. Willison serves as an attending psychiatrist at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center Anxiety Disorders Clinic and was the founding attending psychiatrist of its adult ADHD Clinic.
Friendly, Personable Manner
patients consistently describe Dr. Willison as approachable, calm, and easy to talk to, with the kind of bedside style that helps children and adults relax during sensitive conversations.
Direct Accessibility
Dr. Willison personally responds to patients between appointments by phone or message, so questions about a new prescription or a difficult week do not have to wait.
Core Clinical Priorities for Every West Los Angeles Patient
The practice is organized around a defined set of clinical priorities that get reinforced across evaluations, medication visits, and therapy sessions. The four areas below are what a West Los Angeles patient is actively building each time they walk into the Wilshire Boulevard office.
Accurate Diagnosis and Personalized Evaluation
Most patients driving in from West Los Angeles come to Dr. Willison after at least one prior provider experience, often with a diagnosis they are not sure is correct. Every first visit at the practice runs 90 to 120 minutes and works through the patient’s history, symptoms, and prior treatment responses in detail. The goal at this stage is an accurate, individualized diagnosis that anchors everything that follows, not a quick label drawn from a brief intake.
Medication Management Backed by Research
Dr. Willison’s background in cell biology and clinical research shapes how he selects, dose adjusts, and monitors medication. For West Los Angeles patients on a stimulant for ADHD, an SSRI for depression or OCD, or a non-habit-forming option for insomnia, the goal is a regimen that meaningfully reduces symptoms with the smallest reasonable dose and the fewest side effects. Follow-up visits review what is working, what is not, and what to adjust.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Exposure and Response Prevention
Cognitive-behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention is a central piece of how Dr. Willison treats anxiety, OCD, depression, and insomnia. For West Los Angeles patients who have only ever been offered medication, this layer of structured therapy gives them concrete tools for facing the triggers, thoughts, and routines that keep symptoms in place. The therapy and medication sides of the plan are coordinated within the same practice, by the same physician.
Care for Children, Adolescents, and Families
Dr. Willison’s child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at UCLA, combined with his adult psychiatry training, makes the practice a viable home for a whole West Los Angeles family. Parents bring children for anxiety, ADHD, depression, or autism evaluations, and many later bring themselves in for their own care. Family and couples therapy sessions are also available when the most useful unit of treatment is the relationship rather than the individual.
Psychiatric Services Offered to West Los Angeles Patients at Our Wilshire Boulevard Office
Care at the Wilshire Boulevard office is organized into several core service areas, each tailored to the individual patient and their stage of life. Many West Los Angeles patients begin with a single evaluation and then build a longer plan around medication, therapy, or a combination of both as the relationship develops.
Adult Psychiatry for West Los Angeles Patients
Adult psychiatry covers diagnosis and treatment for anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD, autism, and insomnia. Treatment may include medication management, structured psychotherapy, or both, and is coordinated with primary care or other treating clinicians when appropriate. For West Los Angeles professionals and graduate students, evening appointments on Wednesday and Thursday make ongoing care realistic alongside work and school.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry for West LA Families
Child and adolescent psychiatry includes full diagnostic evaluations and ongoing treatment for anxiety, OCD, ADHD, depression, PTSD, and autism in children and teenagers. For West Los Angeles families, Dr. Willison meets with both the young patient and the parents as part of the evaluation, so the plan reflects what is actually happening at home and at school. Treatment may include medication, therapy, or a combination, with regular parent communication built in.
Family and Couples Therapy
Family and couples therapy sessions are available for West Los Angeles patients whose primary concerns are relational rather than individual. Sessions focus on communication patterns, conflict resolution, parenting alignment, and the impact of mental health symptoms on the family system. Dr. Willison brings the same evidence-based, structured approach to these sessions that he uses in individual treatment.
Clinical Approach & Integrative Treatment
Across every service category, Dr. Willison’s approach is integrative, scientific, and individualized. Medication, psychotherapy, parent guidance, and lifestyle adjustments are weighed together rather than in isolation. That integration is the operational principle behind how every West Los Angeles patient’s care plan is built, reviewed, and adjusted over time.
Psychiatric Conditions and Treatments Available to West Los Angeles Patients
- Adult psychiatric evaluation and ongoing treatment
- Child and adolescent psychiatric evaluation and ongoing treatment
- Anxiety disorder diagnosis and treatment
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) evaluation and treatment
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for OCD, anxiety, depression, and insomnia
- Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy
- Depression evaluation and treatment
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) evaluation and treatment
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) evaluation and treatment
- Insomnia evaluation and treatment
- Autism spectrum evaluation and treatment in children, adolescents, and adults
- Family and couples psychotherapy
- Medication management for psychiatric conditions
- Coordinated medication and psychotherapy planning under one provider
- Telehealth follow-up visits for established West Los Angeles patients
- Coordination with primary care physicians, therapists, & other clinicians across the Westside
The Psychiatrist Caring for West Los Angeles Patients at Our Wilshire Boulevard Office
The psychiatrist below personally delivers every appointment at the practice. A brief credential summary appears here, with full background information available on the Dr. Willison website.
L. David Willison IV, MD, PhD, Double-Board-Certified Psychiatrist
L. David Willison IV, MD, PhD is double-board-certified in child and adolescent psychiatry and in general adult psychiatry, an uncommon dual credential that lets him treat patients of every age at his Wilshire Boulevard practice. His treatment approach combines medication management with psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention for anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, and insomnia.
Dr. Willison earned his bachelor of science degree in biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi, after transferring from Lafayette College and completing earlier studies at Moorestown Friends School. He then relocated to the Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of California, San Francisco, where he earned a PhD in cell biology in 2005 and a medical degree in 2008. His psychiatry residency and his child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship were both completed at UCLA, in 2012 and 2014 respectively.
In addition to his private practice serving West Los Angeles patients, Dr. Willison is an attending psychiatrist at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center in the Anxiety Disorders Clinic and was the founding attending psychiatrist of its adult ADHD Clinic. His research background continues to shape how he diagnoses, prescribes, and monitors, with an emphasis on accurate evaluation, individualized planning, and outcomes that hold up over time. Children and adults alike describe him as friendly, accessible, and easy to talk to.
Quick Answers for Patients Coming From West Los Angeles
Do you have a separate psychiatry office inside West Los Angeles?
No. All care is delivered at our Wilshire Boulevard office at 10850 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 850, on the Westwood side of the Wilshire Federal Building. The suite is positioned at the gateway between Westwood and West Los Angeles, a short drive from across the 90025 and 90064 zip codes.
How long does the drive typically take from Sawtelle, Rancho Park, or Westside Village?
Most patients coming from Sawtelle, Sawtelle Japantown, Rancho Park, or Westside Village reach the office in roughly five to ten minutes via Wilshire Boulevard or Santa Monica Boulevard, depending on time of day. The front desk can help schedule appointment windows that work around Westside traffic and your own commute.
Does Dr. Willison see children and adolescents from West Los Angeles, or only adults?
Dr. Willison is board-certified in both child and adolescent psychiatry and in general adult psychiatry, so he treats patients of every age. West Los Angeles families regularly use the practice for evaluations and ongoing care for children, teenagers, parents, and adults under one roof.
West Los Angeles Neighborhoods We Welcome Patients From
We regularly see patients from neighborhoods across West Los Angeles and the wider 90025 and 90064 area. Common origin points for patients commuting to the Wilshire Boulevard office include:
- West Los Angeles, CA (90025)
- West Los Angeles, CA (90064)
- Sawtelle Japantown
- Sawtelle Boulevard corridor
- Rancho Park
- Westside Village
- Cheviot Hills
- Century City border
- Mar Vista border
- Pico Boulevard corridor
- Santa Monica Boulevard corridor
- Federal Avenue
- Bundy Drive corridor
- VA West Los Angeles Medical Center area
- Landmark's Nuart Theatre area
- Wilshire Federal Building border
Fitting Psychiatric Care Into the Rhythm of West Los Angeles Life
West Los Angeles is a community defined by quiet residential streets, walkable commercial pockets like Sawtelle Japantown, and a steady professional and academic population pulled in by Westwood, the VA, and the broader Westside economy. The patients we see organize their weeks around school drop-off in Westside Village, evening sushi or ramen on Sawtelle Boulevard, weekend errands near Pico, and the constant background of the 405 Freeway nearby. Appointment hours at the practice were chosen with that rhythm in mind: late afternoon and evening blocks on weekdays, daytime hours on Friday and Saturday, and an unhurried 90 to 120 minute initial evaluation that respects the time a West Los Angeles patient is willing to invest in getting their care right the first time.
Voices From Patients of Dr. Willison's Practice
“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.”
“Dr Willison is well-versed in the latest trends in medication, collaborative and open-minded. He is accessible and easy to talk to. Great doctor!”
“He is by far one of the most knowledgeable and empathetic psychiatrists out there. He’s a life saver (literally) when he was counseling my son. I thank him every time I see him and I highly recommend him.”
Begin Psychiatric Care From West Los Angeles With a First Conversation
Call (415) 412-4613 or schedule online to start a consultation conversation with the L. David Willison IV, MD, PhD team. The front desk will walk you through new patient paperwork, the fee structure for an initial 90 to 120 minute evaluation, and help you plan timing around the short drive in from West Los Angeles, including options for a Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday daytime slot if afternoons and evenings are difficult.Call (415) 412-4613 or schedule online to start a consultation conversation with the L. David Willison IV, MD, PhD team. The front desk will walk you through new patient paperwork, the fee structure for an initial 90 to 120 minute evaluation, and help you plan timing around the short drive in from West Los Angeles, including options for a Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday daytime slot if afternoons and evenings are difficult.
- Address: 10850 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 850, Los Angeles, CA 90024
- Phone: (415) 412-4613
- Website: https://ldavidwillisonmdphd.com/
- Hours: Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
- Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
- Closed: Sunday and Monday.
L. David Willison IV, MD, PhD 10850 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 850, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Frequently Asked Questions About a Psychiatrist in West Los Angeles, CA
How much does a psychiatrist cost in Los Angeles?
Psychiatric pricing in Los Angeles varies based on the length and complexity of the visit and whether the visit is an initial evaluation or follow-up. At Dr. Willison’s practice, the initial 90 to 120 minute evaluation is $1,700, follow-ups of 40 to 55 minutes are $850, and shorter 20 to 25 minute follow-ups are $550. Dr. Willison is out of network with insurance plans but provides a superbill on request for possible reimbursement.
What is the #1 most diagnosed mental disorder?
Anxiety disorders are the most commonly diagnosed mental health condition in the United States, affecting roughly one in five adults each year. Within that category, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder are among the most frequent diagnoses. Anxiety is also a primary focus of Dr. Willison’s practice, with both medication management and CBT with exposure and response prevention available.
What are 5 early warning signs of mental illness?
Common early warning signs include persistent changes in sleep or appetite, increased social withdrawal, loss of interest in activities that used to feel important, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, and noticeable mood changes such as ongoing sadness, irritability, or anxiety. None of these is diagnostic on its own, but together they often warrant a professional evaluation. Catching these patterns early generally leads to better long-term outcomes.
Can you recover from mental illness?
Yes. Many psychiatric conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, and PTSD, respond well to evidence-based treatment when the diagnosis is accurate and the plan is followed consistently. Recovery often looks like meaningful, sustained reduction in symptoms and a return to school, work, relationships, and the activities that matter. Some conditions are managed long-term rather than cured outright, and the practice plans for both possibilities.
What are 7 symptoms of long-term stress?
Long-term stress commonly produces ongoing sleep difficulties, frequent headaches or muscle tension, gastrointestinal issues, difficulty concentrating, increased irritability or low mood, weakened immune function with more frequent illness, and changes in appetite or weight. Stress can also drive unhelpful coping behaviors such as increased alcohol use or social withdrawal. A psychiatric evaluation can help distinguish chronic stress from a treatable anxiety or mood disorder.
Do autistic children improve with age?
Many autistic children make significant progress with age, especially when they receive structured support, evidence-based therapy, and appropriate accommodations at school and at home. Core neurological differences typically remain, but communication, social skills, sensory regulation, and independence often improve substantially over time. Dr. Willison evaluates and treats children, adolescents, and adults on the autism spectrum and coordinates care with families, schools, and therapists as appropriate.
What are fun activities for autistic adults?
Activities that align with the individual’s interests, sensory profile, and preferred level of social interaction tend to work best. That often includes detail-oriented hobbies like coding, music, art, model building, gaming, or collecting, as well as lower-stimulation outdoor activities such as hiking or cycling. Group activities work well when they are structured around a shared interest rather than open-ended socializing.
What is the hardest age with ADHD?
There is no single hardest age, but transitions tend to be the most challenging: the start of elementary school, the move to middle and high school, and the transition into college, early career, or independent adult life. Each transition introduces new executive function demands that ADHD makes harder to manage without support. Dr. Willison sees patients across all of these stages and adjusts treatment as new demands appear.
What are the first signs of ADHD?
Early signs in children often include difficulty sustaining attention, frequent careless mistakes, fidgeting and trouble staying seated, interrupting, losing things, and struggling to follow multi-step instructions. In adolescents and adults, presentations often look more like chronic procrastination, missed deadlines, mental restlessness, and difficulty initiating or completing tasks. A formal evaluation distinguishes ADHD from look-alike conditions such as anxiety, depression, or sleep disorders.
What medication is used for PTSD?
First-line medications for PTSD generally include SSRIs such as sertraline and paroxetine, which are FDA-approved for the condition, and SNRIs such as venlafaxine. Other medications may be added to target specific symptoms such as nightmares or hyperarousal. Medication tends to be most effective when combined with evidence-based therapy, which is part of how Dr. Willison structures PTSD treatment.
Is parking available at your Wilshire Boulevard office for West Los Angeles patients?
Yes. Building parking is available at 10850 Wilshire Boulevard, so West Los Angeles patients do not need to hunt for street parking before an appointment. The front desk can confirm parking access and entry details when you confirm your visit.
Does Dr. Willison accept insurance for patients coming from West Los Angeles?
Dr. Willison is not a participating member of any insurance panel and operates as an out-of-network provider. The practice provides a comprehensive superbill on request that you can submit to your insurance carrier, and many West Los Angeles patients receive partial reimbursement under their out-of-network mental health benefits.
Can West Los Angeles patients schedule telehealth visits with Dr. Willison?
Yes. Telehealth follow-up visits are available for established West Los Angeles patients when in-person visits are not practical. Most patients begin with an in-person initial evaluation and then mix telehealth and in-person visits over time based on what fits their schedule.
How soon can a new West Los Angeles patient schedule a first appointment with Dr. Willison?
Availability varies week to week based on Dr. Willison’s existing patient schedule and the type of visit needed. The front desk works to offer the first available initial evaluation slot, and West Los Angeles patients can call (415) 412-4613 or use the online form to be added to the new patient queue.
Does Dr. Willison see family members together from West Los Angeles?
Yes. Family and couples therapy sessions are available for West Los Angeles patients whose concerns are best addressed in a relational format. Many West Los Angeles families also use the practice for separate individual appointments under one psychiatrist, which keeps care coordinated across the household.
Thoughtful Psychiatry for the West Los Angeles Community
If you are looking for a psychiatrist who will take time to listen, explain each treatment option clearly, and build a plan that supports both symptom relief and the way you actually live your daily life, Dr. Willison’s practice is ready to welcome you. Medication and psychotherapy are coordinated under one provider, with respect for your goals at work, at school, with family, and over the long run. Reach out from West Los Angeles whenever you are ready to begin the conversation.
Reserve Your Initial Visit With Dr. Willison
10850 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 850, Los Angeles, CA 90024
- Address: 10850 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 850, Los Angeles, CA 90024
- Phone: (415) 412-4613
- Website: 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