66 psychiatrists across Ventura County. Browse by city or filter by insurance and telehealth.
66
Psychiatrists
100%
Accepting patients
88%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Ventura County sits between LA and Santa Barbara, and its healthcare reflects that in-between quality. The county has four hospitals spread across distinct communities, each serving a different population. It's not a healthcare desert, but it's not deep either, and residents with complex needs often end up heading to LA for subspecialty care.
Ventura County has 66 psychiatrists. The most common credential is MD (88%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Ventura County's geography is defined by valleys. The 101 freeway connects Ventura and Oxnard on the coast to Thousand Oaks inland. The 118 runs through Simi Valley. Each city has its own hospital, but specialist access can require driving 20-40 minutes between them. Ojai, Fillmore, and Santa Paula are rural pockets where any hospital visit means a real drive.
Providers practice throughout Ventura County. Ventura (San Buenaventura) is community Memorial Hospital and its physician network are the primary healthcare anchor for this coastal city and county seat. Oxnard is st. John's Regional Medical Center serves Oxnard's large agricultural and Latino community, with strong Spanish-language provider availability. Thousand Oaks is los Robles Regional Medical Center is the primary hospital for this affluent Conejo Valley community, with dense specialist offices along Thousand Oaks Boulevard. Simi Valley is adventist Health Simi Valley is the main hospital, with medical offices concentrated along Cochran Street and Madera Road.
Nearby hospitals include Community Memorial Hospital (Ventura), St. John's Regional Medical Center (Oxnard), and Los Robles Regional Medical Center (Thousand Oaks). Local training programs run through California State University Channel Islands and Ventura College. Ventura County has about 1,800 physicians serving 850,000 residents, a ratio that puts it below the state average.
An initial psychiatric evaluation takes 45 to 90 minutes. The psychiatrist will review your symptoms, medical history, family history, current medications, and any substance use. They may order blood work or other tests. By the end of the appointment, they will provide a diagnosis, discuss treatment options (medication, therapy, or both), and write prescriptions if appropriate.
Ventura County Behavioral Health is the main public mental health agency. Private therapists are concentrated in Thousand Oaks and Ventura. For Medi-Cal patients, Clinicas del Camino Real provides behavioral health services across multiple sites.
See a psychiatrist if you think you may need medication for a mental health condition, if your current medication is not working well, if you have a complex diagnosis (bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, treatment-resistant depression), or if you want a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. Primary care doctors prescribe many psychiatric medications, but a psychiatrist offers specialized expertise.
Initial evaluation: $250-500 · Follow-up (med management): $100-300 · Psychological testing (if offered): varies
The Thomas Fire (2017) and subsequent mudslides heavily affected Ventura and Montecito. Post-disaster anxiety and PTSD remain a reality for many residents. Agricultural worker communities also face unique stressors including seasonal employment instability.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who prescribe and manage psychiatric medications. They monitor effectiveness, adjust dosages, and watch for side effects to find the right balance for you.
When standard antidepressants have not worked, psychiatrists can explore alternative medications, combination strategies, and newer treatments. They bring the full medical toolkit to complex cases.
Managing the highs and lows of bipolar disorder requires careful medication management. Psychiatrists prescribe and monitor mood stabilizers, atypical antipsychotics, and other treatments specific to bipolar spectrum conditions.
Psychiatrists prescribe stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications and work with you to find the right fit. They also screen for co-occurring conditions like anxiety or depression that affect treatment.
When anxiety is debilitating and therapy alone is not enough, psychiatrists can prescribe medications that reduce the intensity of symptoms while you build coping skills in therapy.
Ventura County, CA has 66 licensed psychiatrists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of psychiatrists in Ventura County, CA are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Gold Coast Health Plan manages Medi-Cal for Ventura County. Employer plans vary: government and education workers often have CalPERS plans, while agricultural workers may be on Medi-Cal. Covered California offers Blue Shield, Anthem, and Molina options. Clinicas del Camino Real serves as the safety-net provider for uninsured residents.
An initial psychiatric evaluation costs $250 to $500. Medication management follow-ups range from $100 to $300 per visit. Actual costs in Ventura County, CA depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Many psychiatrists do not accept insurance, which can make visits expensive. Ask about superbill reimbursement. Generic medications are almost always cheaper than brand-name options.
Ventura County has four distinct hospital zones: Community Memorial (Ventura), St. John's/Dignity Health (Oxnard), Los Robles/HCA (Thousand Oaks), and Adventist Health (Simi Valley). Most specialists affiliate with one hospital, so your choice of PCP often determines where you go for specialty care. For complex cases, UCLA is the most common referral destination.
24% of psychiatrists in Ventura County, CA accept Medicare. Medicare covers psychiatric evaluations and medication management visits. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after your deductible. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Some psychiatrists in Ventura County, CA accept Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers psychiatric services in all states, including medication management and psychiatric evaluations. Covered medications vary by state formulary. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm Medi-Cal participation before scheduling.
Somewhat. Provider fees tend to be 10-15% lower than LA, and you won't deal with LA traffic getting to appointments. But the county has fewer specialists, so for complex care you may still need to go to LA, which adds travel costs and time.
For most conditions, local hospitals handle it. For rare cancers, transplants, complex neurosurgery, and advanced pediatric subspecialties, UCLA Medical Center is the primary referral destination. Some patients also go to Cedars-Sinai or USC. The drive to Westwood is about 60-90 minutes from most Ventura County cities.
Top accepted carriers in Ventura County, CA include medicare, unitedhealthcare, centene, qhp-68781, and qhp-56707.
Psychiatry visits are covered under mental health benefits, which parity laws require to be comparable to medical benefits. The initial evaluation is billed at a higher rate than follow-ups. Medication costs vary widely. Ask your psychiatrist about generic alternatives. Many psychiatrists do not accept insurance, so verify network status before booking or ask about superbill reimbursement.