Dr. Benjamin Amendolara is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in ADHD, treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. Based in Los Angeles, Dr. Amendolara provides personalized, holistic care that integrates therapy and medication as needed, helping patients from across California navigate their mental health journeys.

Dr. Amendolara graduated from the prestigious David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and completed his residency in psychiatry at UCSD, one of the nation’s top NIH-funded programs for psychiatry research. His passion for understanding the human mind led him to conduct groundbreaking neuropsychiatric research at both Columbia University and UCLA, resulting in numerous publications in high-impact journals like Science, Journal of Neuroscience, and Neuro-Oncology. Dr. Amendolara’s contributions to neuroscience were recognized with a National Research Service Award, underscoring his commitment to advancing the field of mental health.

In addition to his research, Dr. Amendolara has a deep dedication to teaching and community service. He has taught extensively at UCLA and UCSD, earning multiple awards, including two Kaiser Resident Teaching Awards and a UCLA Teaching Fellowship. Today, he continues to teach and mentor psychiatry residents at UCLA. Beyond academia, Dr. Amendolara has served as a domestic violence and sexual assault counselor in New York and Los Angeles and helped establish a clinic in Nepal, reflecting his belief in the importance of community commitment in psychiatry and medicine.

Approach to Psychiatry

Psychiatry, for me, is the medical field that allows for the deepest understanding of another person’s story. It offers the opportunity to truly appreciate an individual’s struggles, strengths, and humanity while using transformative tools to help them heal and grow. My approach to care is centered on treating the whole person, not just their symptoms, and tailoring treatment to meet each individual’s unique needs.

I believe that effective mental health care requires flexibility and open-mindedness. For some patients, medications may play a vital role in their healing; for others, therapy or lifestyle adjustments may be more impactful. Often, the best outcomes arise from a thoughtful combination of both. With extensive training in CBT, DBT, interpersonal therapy, grief therapy, and psychodynamic therapy, I am equipped to integrate multiple therapeutic modalities to suit each person’s needs and stage in life.

I see psychiatry as a collaborative process. It’s your mind and your body, and I consider it a privilege to be invited to assist you on your journey. My role is to support, guide, and partner with you as we work together to navigate challenges and uncover opportunities for growth, resilience, and lasting fulfillment.

Why Choose Dr. Amendolara?

Dr. Amendolara provides a small-practice model that ensures every patient receives dedicated time, attention, and expertise. His extensive training in advanced psychopharmacology and psychotherapy allows him to offer nuanced, evidence-based care for complex conditions. With his balance of scientific rigor and deep humanism, Dr. Amendolara’s practice is rooted in trust, collaboration, and a shared vision for lasting growth. His years of experience, academic accomplishments, and commitment to personalized care ensure that treatment is not only effective but also tailored specifically to you.