Find a psychiatrist in Santa Monica, CA — covered by insurance
Top psychiatrists in Santa Monica, CA accepting new patients
Mental health care in Santa Monica is accessible through Headway's network of 958 providers. Whether you're in Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, West LA, or beyond, find compassionate support through virtual or in-person sessions covered by insurance with copays starting at $0.
Board Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with a master’s degree in nursing from Western Governor University and post master’s from Maryville University in St. Louis. Also board certified in Ambulatory Care and have been caring for people with mental health issues in/out of the hospital for over 18 years. I have a strong critical care background and treat different issues such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, LGBTQ+ issues, men’s health issues, postpartum depression amongst others.
My passion is helping individuals find healing, balance, and inner strength. With compassion and care, I support clients as they navigate life’s challenges, building resilience, self-awareness, and emotional well-being along the way.I provide evidence-based treatment tailored to each person’s needs, drawing on mindfulness, trauma-informed approaches, and personalized care plans. My goal is to create a safe and supportive space where clients can reconnect with themselves and develop the tools for lasting wellness.
Richard Perez is a Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. For over 15 years, he has dedicated his career to serving the healthcare needs of Long Beach and Los Angeles County. Richard wants to continue improving the lives of each patient by providing professional, compassionate, and person-centered care.
Richard has spent the last two years providing mental health care to underserved populations. This experience has significantly sharpened his clinical skills, which he now aims to bring to the general patient population.
Hi, I’m Vimal Patel, a Board-Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over 10 years of experience in healthcare. I earned my Master of Science in Nursing and have a background in both psychiatric and intensive care nursing. I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders using a combination of medication management and supportive therapy. My approach is compassionate, culturally sensitive, and centered around your unique needs and goals. I'm here to help you feel heard, supported, and empowered on your mental health journey.
I am a board certified, doctoral prepared PMHNP. I completed my post graduate at National University in Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I earned my DNP from Azusa Pacific University and graduated from CSUSB MSN program. I have been a faculty at CSUSB since 2014. Extensively trained and a certified Trauma-Informed specialist. I diagnose and treat mental disorders including medication-assisted treatment along with counseling for chemical dependency and substance use disorders.
I’m here to make this journey feel gentle, welcoming, and human. I keep things clear and simple so you can focus on what matters, not the overwhelm. My style is warm, encouraging, and a little poetic—because softness helps us breathe. Let’s take this step together, one calm moment at a time.
About our psychiatrists serving Santa Monica, CA
- 99%Anxiety
- 99%Depression
- 86%Bipolar disorder
- 86%PTSD
- 86%ADD/ADHD
- 99%Aetna
- 95%Cigna
- 89%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 85%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 59%United Healthcare
- 98%English
- 9%Spanish
- 4%Tagalog
- 4%Igbo
- 3%Hindi
- 90%Online only
- 10%In-person or online
- 72%Woman
- 28%Man
- 90%Nurse Practitioner
- 9%Medical Doctor
- 1%Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
- 96%Individual therapy
- 17%Family therapy
- 7%Child or adolescent therapy
- 6%Couples therapy
Frequently asked questions
Find the right psychiatrist for you
Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Psychiatrist in Santa Monica, CA
Finding psychiatrists in Santa Monica starts with understanding the type of care you want. Psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medication, while therapists provide talk therapy. Medication management may be part of care for concerns such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, or OCD. Some people start with a psychiatrist, some start with a therapist, and some work with both, depending on what they need.
Santa Monica has local psychiatry options, but appointment supply can vary across neighborhoods like Ocean Park, Wilshire Montana, Brentwood, and West LA. Virtual appointments can expand your options while keeping care within your schedule. Psychiatric appointments for medication management are often shorter and less frequent than therapy sessions, though some psychiatrists also offer therapy. As you compare profiles, look for specialties, appointment times, whether the psychiatrist is accepting new patients, and how they describe their approach.
Psychiatric care in Santa Monica can be a significant expense without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs. Headway helps you find psychiatrists who match your needs, accept your plan, and are accepting new patients. You can enter your insurance details, see an estimated out-of-pocket cost before booking, review bios, and choose a virtual or in-person appointment when you’re ready.
If you're already taking psychiatric medication and considering switching providers, talk to your current prescriber before changing or stopping any medication — most psychiatric medications shouldn't be stopped abruptly. Anyone experiencing thoughts of self-harm or in acute crisis should call 988 or go to the nearest emergency department rather than wait for an outpatient appointment.
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