Hi, I’m Dr. Ellen Charles
I am a board-certified psychiatrist based in Santa Monica, dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality mental healthcare to adults.
My practice is built on a simple belief: psychiatric care should be personal because each of us is unique. In our sessions we’ll have the space to understand your whole story, not just a diagnosis.
My Approach
My goal is to help you navigate life’s challenges—whether that’s anxiety, mood disturbances, trauma, OCD, psychosis, ADHD or other conditions—with a plan that is carefully considered and tailored specifically to you.
Education & Experience
I have spent my entire medical career training and teaching at some of the country's top institutions.
After receiving my undergraduate degree in English from Princeton, I undertook premedical studies at Columbia University and entered UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine where I earned my Doctor of Medicine (MD). From there I completed a four-year residency in psychiatry, with a specialization in psychotherapy, at the UCLA Semel Institute/Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital.
Before opening my private practice, I served as an Attending Psychiatrist at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. There I led the mental health consult service in the Emergency Department, treated patients on the inpatient unit, and worked with female veterans through the Women’s Health Clinic. Through UCLA’s Operation Mend, I help veterans and active-duty service members heal from complex, treatment-resistant PTSD.
In addition to my clinical work, I love teaching. I served as a Clinical Instructor at UCLA, mentoring the next generation of psychiatrists, and was honored to receive a teaching award from the residents in 2023. I continue to teach through the UCLA Psychosis Clinic.
Since 2023, I have given annual lectures on personality disorders to first-year medical students at UCLA, inviting them into a deeper and more humane understanding of these stigmatized conditions. I also lead a lecture series for third-year psychiatry residents, delving into the specific conditions of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD).
Work With Me
I offer a private, confidential space where you can be heard. If you are looking for a psychiatrist who values connection, transparency, and clinical excellence, I would love to hear from you.