Photo of Eric Wexler, Psychiatrist in 90403, CA
Eric Wexler
Psychiatrist, MD, PhD
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Santa Monica, CA 90403
I am a board certified psychiatrist and scientist with over 10 years experience in the practice of evidence-based medicine. While I specialize in treating patients experiencing disturbed moods and poor impulse control (e.g. Bipolar disorder and ADHD), I treat nearly the full spectrum of psychiatric conditions. With expertise in psychiatry and neurobiology I provide patients with an individualized approach that combines the most effective tools including cognitive-behavioral therapy and state-of-the-art psychopharmacology.
I am a board certified psychiatrist and scientist with over 10 years experience in the practice of evidence-based medicine. While I specialize in treating patients experiencing disturbed moods and poor impulse control (e.g. Bipolar disorder and ADHD), I treat nearly the full spectrum of psychiatric conditions. With expertise in psychiatry and neurobiology I provide patients with an individualized approach that combines the most effective tools including cognitive-behavioral therapy and state-of-the-art psychopharmacology.
(310) 692-9011 View (310) 692-9011
Photo of Salim El Sabbagh, Psychiatrist in 90403, CA
Salim El Sabbagh
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
Santa Monica, CA 90403  (Online Only)
I am a board-certified psychiatrist and graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and New York University (NYU). After graduating as chief resident, I went on to pursue a fellowship and work in the public sector serving those most in need. My clients often include those that have been struggling with difficulties that impair their day to day function, leaving them unsatisfied, unhappy or struggling with inner turmoil or anxiety. My clients will often seek out and benefit from therapy, coaching, medication or a combination of the above. Please don’t hesitate to reach our for a free initial phone consultation.
I am a board-certified psychiatrist and graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and New York University (NYU). After graduating as chief resident, I went on to pursue a fellowship and work in the public sector serving those most in need. My clients often include those that have been struggling with difficulties that impair their day to day function, leaving them unsatisfied, unhappy or struggling with inner turmoil or anxiety. My clients will often seek out and benefit from therapy, coaching, medication or a combination of the above. Please don’t hesitate to reach our for a free initial phone consultation.
(718) 550-3180 View (718) 550-3180
Photo of Hope Integrative Psychiatry, Psychiatrist in 90403, CA
Hope Integrative Psychiatry
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Santa Monica, CA 90403
If you would like to make an appointment or ask further questions you can also email us at admin@hopepsychiatry.com. Hope was founded to offer a more natural and complete way of helping people recover from mental illness. Blending together insights from the emerging sciences of Interpersonal Neurobiology and Evolutionary Psychology with more ancient practices that have evidence like Mindfulness,Breathwork and Yoga, we focus on shifting people’s consciousness from a disease model to one that empowers our innate capacity to heal and find meaning in our struggle towards wholeness and optimal health.
If you would like to make an appointment or ask further questions you can also email us at admin@hopepsychiatry.com. Hope was founded to offer a more natural and complete way of helping people recover from mental illness. Blending together insights from the emerging sciences of Interpersonal Neurobiology and Evolutionary Psychology with more ancient practices that have evidence like Mindfulness,Breathwork and Yoga, we focus on shifting people’s consciousness from a disease model to one that empowers our innate capacity to heal and find meaning in our struggle towards wholeness and optimal health.
(747) 205-1878 View (747) 205-1878
Photo of Hope Integrative Psychiatry, Psychiatrist in 90403, CA
Hope Integrative Psychiatry
Psychiatrist, DO
Verified Verified
Santa Monica, CA 90403
HOPE was founded to offer a more holistic and complete way of helping people recover from mental illness. We focus on shifting people’s consciousness from a disease model to one that empowers our innate capacity to heal and find meaning in our struggle towards wholeness and optimal health.
HOPE was founded to offer a more holistic and complete way of helping people recover from mental illness. We focus on shifting people’s consciousness from a disease model to one that empowers our innate capacity to heal and find meaning in our struggle towards wholeness and optimal health.
(747) 201-4189 View (747) 201-4189
Bipolar Disorder Psychiatrists

What is the most successful approach to treating bipolar disorder?

Living with bipolar disorder can be challenging, and a number of therapies have been found effective in providing support to patients as they gain the skills to understand and manage the disorder. Family-focused therapy is often helpful for children and teens (the majority of cases develop before age 19); it aims to minimize mood cycling by improving family communication and reducing conflict. It also helps young people navigate the developmental challenges the disorder can create. Cognitive and behavioral therapy (CBT) and variants such as Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)help patients manage the thoughts and feelings that influence bipolar mood swings as well as develop specific behavioral strategies to counteract them.

What happens in therapy for bipolar disorder?

Because the patterns of mood switching and its triggers differ for each person and can change over time, mood tracking or monitoring becomes a basic way patients learn about the nature of their condition. One of the most common features of therapy is finding a workable method of mood monitoring, in which patients track their daily activities and rate their moods, then use the findings to adjust routines accordingly. Patients learn ways of handling the many stresses that arise in life so that they do not trigger mood swings.

What kinds of problems does therapy help with?

Like many other mental health disorders, BPD is heavily influenced by stress; therapy provides skills for coping with stressors of all kinds. Therapy is extremely important for helping individuals identify the situations that may trigger mood switching, so that mood swings can be prevented. Therapy may especially target recognition of the early stages of mood change so that they can be managed. In addition, therapy helps patients deal with the significant amount of turbulence the disorder can create in relationships and in work life.

What is the goal of therapy for bipolar disorder?

Therapy helps patients set up their lives to maintain stability so that their mood isn’t constantly threatened by daily events. Perhaps the first task of therapy is to educate people about the nature of the disorder. At the same time, a primary goal of therapy is to enhance adherence to drug treatment. Extended periods of mood stability can prompt patients to discontinue medication, triggering relapse, while the early phases of manic episodes can feel so energizing that patients stop medication, ushering in full-blown mania and the altered self-perception that can lead to destructive behaviors. Another major goal of therapy is to understand one’s mood patterns so as to minimize both the frequency and intensity of mood cycling.