Home Introduction

Daryl W. Westerback, M D

Employment Experience

Solo Private Practice Psychiatrist
Thousand Oaks, CA: 12/02-present General adult outpatient psychiatric practice including psychopharmacologic management with supportive and cognitive behavioral psychotherapy.

Attending Psychiatrist
Oliveview Medical Center, Sylmar, CA: 2/01-6/03 Attending psychiatrist for inpatient ward and outpatient clinic. Supervised UCLA psychiatry residents and medical students.

Per-Diem Psychiatrist
Waterbury Hospital, Waterbury, CT: 1/99-5/00 Attending psychiatrist for psychiatric emergency room, in-patient ward, psychiatric consult service and outpatient detoxification clinic.

Education

University of California, Los Angeles Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship: 8/00-6/01 Training in criminal and civil aspects of forensic psychiatry and forensic report writing.

Yale University Department of Psychiatry: 7/97-7/00 Psychiatry Residency: Traditional training program including four yearlong medication clinics in each of Mood Disorders, PTSD, Schizophrenia, and Bipolar Disorder.

University of Connecticut Department of Psychiatry/Institute of Living: 7/96-6/97 Psychiatry Internship

University of California, Davis School of Medicine: 9/91-6/96 M.D. awarded 6/96

University of California, San Diego: 7/89-6/90 Post-baccalaureate premedical coursework

University of California, San Diego: 9/77-6/80 B.Sc. Biochemistry; Minors: Psychology, Biophysics

Professional Memberships

1999-present American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law

1994-present American Psychiatric Association

Medical Licensure/Certification

California license #A72712, Current

Practice Philosophy

1. Patient Education: This practice is based upon the principle that when I educate my patients about their treatment choices they are better able to choose their own treatment(s). This includes verbal and visual education, as well as diagnosis specific patient education pamphlets. Educated patients understand the rationale for choosing a particular course of treatment. Therefore they are more likely to stick with it until they achieve remission from their symptoms.
2. Less medication is better: More medications elevate the risk of unwanted side effects and of unwanted drug-drug interactions. However, one should add another medication, when safe, if it makes complete remission possible.
3. Not all patients require medication. Mild to moderate depression or anxiety are treated just as well with an appropriate form of psychotherapy. Medications act quicker but there is a greater chance of relapse following their discontinuation. Psychotherapy usually takes from a few months to a couple of years to have its effect but the remission from symptoms tends to last for at least 2-3 years. Severe depression or anxiety should always be treated with both medication and psychotherapy.
4. Intake appointments: are for one hour, with a second hour if indicated, and follow up appointments are for one half hour. Making a diagnosis and prescribing after a 10 or 15 minute initial diagnostic interview is dangerous medicine.
5. Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): This office routinely evaluates for adult Attention Deficit Disorder using clinical interview, Connor’s Adult ADHD Rating Scales, and the computerized Connor’s Continuous Performance Test (CPT-II) a timed test of attention and impulsivity. ADHD is treated with medication and referrals to behavioral training.
6. I have extensive experience treating depressive disorders, mania, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, psychotic disorders and substance abuse/dual diagnosis disorders. I am experienced treating severe illness as the result of 3 years experience on a L.A. County hospital inpatient ward, however, currently most of my patients fall into the moderate category. I look forward to the opportunity to help you maximize your quality of life.

Daryl Westerback, M.D.