Frequently Asked Questions2021-11-10T17:36:16+00:00

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you do at USC?2019-08-12T20:47:27+00:00

Clinical Teaching

Currently I am the Chief of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Crisis, Emergency and Consultation Service at LAC+USC hospital. I supervise a team of psychiatrists who are learning about child psychiatry as they evaluate child psychiatric emergency cases and/or respond to concerns about psychiatric issues in children on one of USC’s pediatric units. In my role as supervisor, I see cases with my students and help them formulate their assessment and plan for each child.

In addition, I am the Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Trauma Service. This is a program I developed at USC with national grant money for the purpose of providing psychiatric treatment to traumatized children and for training our clinical trainees in evidence-based assessment and treatment of child psychiatric trauma.

At USC I have worked in the adult psychiatric emergency room, covered nights at adult and child inpatient units and was co-chief of an adolescent psychiatry inpatient unit.

Didactic Teaching

I teach a didactic course in psychotherapy, child residents’ monthly Journal Club, and present a monthly clinical case conference jointly to pediatric and child psychiatry trainees.

Direct Patient Care

Currently I provide psychiatric treatment to adult patients in USC’s Men’s AIDS Clinic and to children at USC’s Maternal Child AIDS Clinic where I also consult with the non-medical therapists and am developing longitudinal research on the effects of psychological stress and trauma.

What other experience do you have as a psychiatrist?2019-08-12T20:46:18+00:00

I worked for many years for a large non-profit children and family service agency. In addition to consulting with non-medical clinicians about psychiatric treatment in both residential and outpatient settings, I developed an ongoing training program for child psychiatry trainees from Cedars-Sinai Hospital, supervised the other staff psychiatrists at the residential site, and, with private funding, developed a children’s clinical research institute to evaluate the long-term effects of child maltreatment.

I also had a part-time private practice of adult and child psychiatry, providing psychotherapy and psycho-pharmacological treatment to children and adults.

How long have you been doing expert witness work?2019-08-12T20:45:14+00:00

For over 20 years.

What kinds of cases do you see?2019-08-12T20:43:45+00:00

I have provided expert psychiatric consultation in child and adult cases involving:

  • Date Rape
  • Diagnosis and Appropriate Treatment of Trauma-related Conditions
  • Emotional, Sexual and Physical Abuse, and Neglect
  • Internet Seduction
  • Psychological Trauma in the Workplace
  • Psychological Effects of Physical Trauma including Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Child custody and abuse allegations
Do you work with both adults and children?2023-05-26T22:41:41+00:00

Yes, as a child psychiatrist I am fully trained in adult work and have seen adults in private practice and in emergency settings. My specialty is Child Psychiatry and within that field I have further special interest in problems related to child psychological trauma. Currently I am investigating how traumatic experiences become embedded in our bodies via the actions of stress hormones and the regulation of gene expression. In addition, for seniors, I support organizations like Caring.com.

What special training have you had?2019-08-12T20:40:40+00:00

In addition to my residency in general psychiatry and fellowship training in child psychiatry, I have had additional training in psychopharmacology, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, hypnosis, meditation and the neuroscience of stress.

Have you been retained in criminal cases?2019-08-12T20:39:13+00:00

Yes, I have been retained in cases involving criminal allegations against both adults and minors.

Have you been retained in cases involving psychiatric or other mental health malpractice?2019-08-12T20:38:18+00:00

Yes, I have been retained in cases involving allegations of malpractice on the parts of both psychiatrists and other licensed mental health professionals or students.

Are you generally retained as an expert for the plaintiff or for the defense?2019-08-12T20:35:45+00:00

I am retained by both Plaintiffs and Defendants.

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