Business Details
24 Years
experience
Your Trusted Psychiatrist in Los Angeles, CA
Christine D. Forest, MD has dedicated her career to psychiatry, combining medication management with innovative therapeutic techniques since establishing her private practice in 2002. With expertise in cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR, and animal-assisted therapy, she offers personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient's unique needs. Her approach integrates evidence-based practices with a deep understanding of emotional and biological factors influencing mental health. Certified in EMDR through the Parnell Institute and as a life coach, she specializes in treating depression, anxiety, trauma, and attention deficit disorders. Dr. Forest's practice emphasizes patient education, transparency, and holistic healing, ensuring clients understand their diagnoses and treatment options.Her background includes academic roles at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and extensive experience supervising psychiatric residents. The inclusion of her therapy dog, River, enhances emotional engagement and accelerates healing for many patients. With a focus on long-term wellness rather than temporary fixes, her practice empowers individuals to move beyond survival mode and thrive in their personal and professional lives. This commitment to comprehensive care has made her a trusted resource in Los Angeles' mental health community.
Services
Psychiatry
Medication Management
EMDR Therapy
Animal-Assisted Therapy
Life Coaching
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of psychiatric experience with evidence-based treatment approaches
- Our practice integrates EMDR therapy certified through the Parnell Institute
- We incorporate animal-assisted therapy with a trained canine co-therapist
- We provide personalized treatment plans addressing biological, emotional, and social factors
- Our psychiatrist has academic experience supervising residents at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Associations and certifications
- Parnell Institute
What people say
Personalized treatment plans
Effective trauma resolution
Compassionate care
Innovative therapy techniques
Positive animal interaction
Services
Psychiatry
Christine D. Forest, MD's psychiatric services combine medical expertise with personalized care for comprehensive mental health treatment. Specializing in diagnosing and treating complex mental health conditions, this service addresses depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and attention deficit disorders through evidence-based interventions. Patients receive customized treatment plans integrating medication management with therapeutic approaches tailored to their specific needs and life circumstances.
EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy helps patients process traumatic experiences using bilateral stimulation techniques to reprocess distressing memories. This specialized treatment addresses PTSD, complex PTSD, and childhood trauma by helping patients develop healthier coping mechanisms. The therapy creates new neural pathways that reduce the emotional intensity of traumatic memories while maintaining patient safety and comfort throughout the process.
Animal-Assisted Therapy
Animal-assisted therapy incorporates trained therapy dogs into psychotherapy sessions to enhance emotional engagement and healing. This service leverages the human-animal bond to reduce stress hormones while increasing oxytocin levels for improved therapeutic outcomes. Patients benefit from nonjudgmental emotional support that facilitates deeper exploration of difficult psychological material during treatment sessions.
Medication Management
Medication management services provide careful evaluation and monitoring of psychiatric medications as part of comprehensive treatment plans. This service emphasizes finding optimal medication combinations with minimal side effects while prioritizing patient education about treatment options. Regular follow-up appointments ensure ongoing assessment of medication effectiveness and necessary dosage adjustments.
Life Coaching
Life coaching focuses on helping clients achieve specific personal and professional goals through structured guidance and accountability. This service helps individuals navigate life transitions, improve relationships, and develop effective strategies for career advancement. Sessions emphasize practical problem-solving and skill-building to support long-term personal growth and fulfillment.
People
Christine D. Forest
Psychiatrist
Christine D. Forest, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience, specializing in EMDR therapy and animal-assisted therapy. She completed her psychiatric training at USC and founded a private practice emphasizing holistic mental health treatment. Her background includes academic roles at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Questions
What mental health conditions do you treat?
Dr. Forest treats depression, anxiety, trauma/PTSD, bipolar disorder, and attention deficit disorders using integrated treatment approaches.
Do you offer telehealth appointments?
Please contact the office directly to inquire about current telehealth availability and options for remote consultations.
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a specialized therapy that helps process traumatic memories using bilateral stimulation techniques.
How does animal-assisted therapy work?
Animal-assisted therapy incorporates trained therapy dogs like River to enhance emotional engagement and reduce stress during psychotherapy sessions.
What insurance plans do you accept?
Please contact the office directly to verify current insurance acceptance policies and payment arrangements.
How often are follow-up appointments?
Initial follow-ups occur 1-2 weeks after consultation, with subsequent appointments typically scheduled every 1-3 months based on treatment needs.
Videos
