71/100RP Score
Ranked #1 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 3.3★ from 12 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Best Psychiatrists in Malibu, CA (2026)
518 psychiatrists ranked by RP ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Best overall in Malibu: Dr. Elsa Cruz, RP Score 71/100; 3.3★ from 12 Google reviews.
- 46
Most-reviewed: Mindpath Health Psychiatrists & Therapists - Santa Monica, 166 Google reviews at 4.6★, the most of 518 ranked; ranked #46.
Rankings can't be bought. Psychologists can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
518 Malibu psychiatrists are ranked here by RP Score, from eight published factors. 135 open Saturdays and 71 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.6★ across 518 rated practices.
Top 10 psychiatrists in Malibu at a glance
Ranked by the RP Score from public listing data, not by treatment outcomes; Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank.
| Rank | Business | RP Score | Google rating | Based in | Hours | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. Elsa Cruz | 71 | 3.3★ (12) | Agoura Hills, 8 mi away | — | Overall |
| 2 | David Robert Vargas, MD | Kaiser Permanente | 71 | 5.0★ (8) | Thousand Oaks, 12 mi away | — | — |
| 3 | Wilson Stephen J MD | 70 | 3.0★ (4) | Thousand Oaks, 10 mi away | — | — |
| 4 | True Haven Mental Health | 70 | 5.0★ (5) | Malibu | Evenings | — |
| 5 | Holistic Psychiatry: Meredith Sagan, MD | 70 | 5.0★ (28) | Santa Monica, 17 mi away | — | — |
| 6 | Dr. Robert Feeley | 70 | 5.0★ (4) | Calabasas, 12 mi away | — | — |
| 7 | Neuro Wellness Spa | Psychiatrists in Westlake Village | 69 | 4.8★ (78) | Agoura, 9 mi away | Evenings | — |
| 8 | Michael R P Vivian, MD | 69 | 5.0★ (4) | Camarillo, 15 mi away | — | — |
| 9 | Dr. Preetpal S. Sandhu, MD | 68 | 3.9★ (7) | Santa Monica, 15 mi away | — | — |
| 10 | Patrick T. Bezdek MD INc | 68 | 4.2★ (5) | Santa Monica, 15 mi away | — | — |
The 518 best psychiatrists in Malibu, ranked
Ordered by RP Score, a 0–100 score from eight published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.
Ranked by the RP Score from public listing data, not by treatment outcomes; Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank.
Based in Thousand Oaks, 12 mi away
71/100RP ScoreRanked #2 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 5.0★ from 8 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Thousand Oaks, 10 mi away
70/100RP ScoreRanked #3 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 3.0★ from 4 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Malibu
70/100RP ScoreRanked #4 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Santa Monica, 17 mi away
70/100RP ScoreRanked #5 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 5.0★ from 28 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Calabasas, 12 mi away
70/100RP ScoreRanked #6 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Agoura, 9 mi away
69/100RP ScoreRanked #7 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 4.8★ from 78 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Camarillo, 15 mi away
69/100RP ScoreRanked #8 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Santa Monica, 15 mi away
68/100RP ScoreRanked #9 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 3.9★ from 7 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Santa Monica, 15 mi away
68/100RP ScoreRanked #10 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 4.2★ from 5 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Woodland Hills, 15 mi away
68/100RP ScoreRanked #11 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 3.7★ from 6 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Santa Monica, 17 mi away
68/100RP ScoreRanked #12 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 5.0★ from 7 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
#13 Dr. Emil Soorani
Based in Santa Monica, 17 mi away
68/100RP ScoreRanked #13 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 4.3★ from 12 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Torrance, 28 mi away
68/100RP ScoreRanked #14 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 5.0★ from 82 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Agoura Hills, 8 mi away
67/100RP ScoreRanked #15 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 5.0★ from 18 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Woodland Hills, 15 mi away
67/100RP ScoreRanked #16 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 1.0★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
#17 Rise in Malibu
Based in Malibu
67/100RP ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and proximity: 4.8★ from 51 Google reviews, based in Malibu.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Woodland Hills, 14 mi away
67/100RP ScoreRanked #18 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 5.0★ from 17 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Encino, 20 mi away
67/100RP ScoreRanked #19 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Malibu
67/100RP ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and proximity: 4.6★ from 86 Google reviews, based in Malibu.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Agoura Hills, 8 mi away
67/100RP ScoreRanked #21 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 4.7★ from 12 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Sherman Oaks, 21 mi away
66/100RP ScoreRanked #22 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 5.0★ from 7 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Los Angeles, 22 mi away
66/100RP ScoreRanked #23 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Agoura Hills, 8 mi away
66/100RP ScoreRanked #24 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 5.0★ from 8 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Agoura Hills, 8 mi away
66/100RP ScoreRanked #25 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 5.0★ from 6 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Psychiatrists ranked #26 to #50
#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #50, in RP Score order; each links to its profile. We publish the top 50 of 518 ranked psychiatrists here; the rest are on their profiles.
Also serving Malibu
20 more psychiatrists within 40 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a specialty we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.
| Business | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Adrian Finkelstein Md | 5.0★ (1) | In Malibu |
| Alessia de Paola Gottlieb MD | 5.0★ (2) | 16 mi |
| April De Higes, LMFT | 5.0★ (2) | 10 mi |
| Dr. Michael Frankel, MD | 3.0★ (2) | 14 mi |
| Dr. Michele Wang, MD | In Malibu | |
| Ellen Charles, MD | 5.0★ (2) | 16 mi |
| Family Psychiatry | 3.0★ (2) | 9 mi |
| Integrative Psychiatry | 3.0★ (2) | 16 mi |
| Kingfisher Counseling | 5.0★ (2) | 9 mi |
| Landen James E MD | 1.0★ (2) | 10 mi |
| Malad Laila MD | 3.5★ (2) | 9 mi |
| Marc Rosenthal Md | 3.0★ (2) | 12 mi |
| Psychiatry Mental Health Clinic | In Malibu | |
| Psychotherapy & Psychiatry Mental Health Clinic | In Malibu | |
| Psychotherapy & Psychiatry Mental Health Clinic | In Malibu | |
| Rudnick F David MD | 5.0★ (2) | 16 mi |
| The Happiness Psychiatrist: Sheenie Ambardar MD - Concierge Psychiatry - Santa Monica, CA | 5.0★ (2) | 16 mi |
| The Happiness Psychiatrist: Sheenie Ambardar, M.D. | In Malibu | |
| Van (Ivan) Krasnov, MD | 5.0★ (2) | 16 mi |
| West Hills Psychiatric Med Group | 1.0★ (2) | 16 mi |
How we ranked Malibu psychiatrists
We scored 518 Malibu psychiatrists on eight factors, weighted as shown. A practice is ranked when its specialty is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A practice with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.
Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Sponsored businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.
| Factor | Weight | Computed from | In Malibu data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputation | 25% | Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it | Measured |
| Review volume | 5% | Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed practice on the list | Measured |
| Recency | 5% | Share of Google reviews from the last 12 months | Not yet collected |
| Availability | 10% | Weekly open hours, Saturday, Sunday, and round-the-clock or same-day availability | Measured |
| Specialty focus | 25% | How clearly the practice does this specialty (its Google category and name) | Measured |
| Proximity | 15% | Based in the city scores highest, less the farther away it is | Measured |
| Claimed profile | 10% | The practice has claimed its Ranked Psychologists profile (free or paid earn the same) | Measured |
| Partnered | 5% | The practice links to Ranked Psychologists from its own website with our badge, checked periodically | Measured |
How to choose a psychiatrist
- Check the license with the state or provincial board that issued it; most boards publish a free online lookup.
- Make sure psychiatry is a regular part of their work, and ask what approach they use and why.
- Ask whether the practice offers therapy as well as medication management, or medication visits only.
- Check whether you need a referral from your family doctor; in Canada a referral is usually required for publicly covered psychiatric care.
- Ask about fees, insurance and the cancellation policy before the first session. In the US, if you are uninsured or paying yourself, you can ask for a good faith estimate of expected charges.
- Check practical fit: in-person or online sessions, evening times, and how soon they have an opening.
- After a few sessions, ask yourself whether you feel heard. Changing to a different provider is common and fine.
Questions to ask a psychiatrist
- Are you accepting new clients, and how soon could I start?
- Which license do you hold, and in which state or province?
- How much of your work is psychiatry?
- Do you offer therapy sessions, or medication management only?
- How soon is the first appointment, and how long are follow-up visits?
- What do you charge per session, and do you take my insurance or provide a superbill?
- Do you offer online sessions?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- What do you keep confidential, and when would you have to share information?
Terms explained
- PhD / PsyD
- Doctoral degrees in psychology. A PhD usually has a stronger research focus, a PsyD a stronger clinical focus; both can lead to a psychologist license.
- Licensed psychologist
- A person licensed by a state or provincial psychology board to practice psychology. The title is protected by law.
- Psychological associate
- In some states and provinces, a master’s-level practitioner licensed or registered by the psychology board, often with supervision requirements.
- LPC / LMHC / LCPC
- US licenses for professional or mental health counselors (the name differs by state). They provide counseling and therapy.
- LCSW
- Licensed clinical social worker: a master’s-level social worker licensed to provide therapy.
- LMFT
- Licensed marriage and family therapist: licensed to treat individuals, couples and families with a focus on relationships.
- RP / RCC
- Registered psychotherapist (Ontario) and registered clinical counsellor (British Columbia): Canadian titles for licensed therapy providers.
- PSYPACT
- An interstate agreement that lets psychologists licensed in a member state provide telepsychology to clients in other member states once they hold the required authorization.
- Telehealth
- Sessions held by secure video or phone instead of in person. The provider generally needs to be licensed where the client is located.
- CBT
- Cognitive behavioral therapy: a structured talk therapy that works on the links between thoughts, feelings and behavior.
- DBT
- Dialectical behavior therapy: a form of CBT that teaches skills for managing intense emotions and relationships.
- ERP
- Exposure and response prevention: a form of CBT used for OCD.
Psychiatrists in Malibu: frequently asked questions
Who is the best psychiatrist in Malibu?
By RP Score, the highest-ranked psychiatrist in Malibu, CA is Dr. Elsa Cruz with an RP Score of 71/100. It has 3.3★ from 12 Google reviews. David Robert Vargas, MD | Kaiser Permanente (#2) and Wilson Stephen J MD (#3) follow. We ranked 518 psychiatrists on eight factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many psychiatrists are there in Malibu?
RankedPsychologists ranks 518 psychiatrists serving Malibu, CA. 5 of them are based in Malibu; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 20 within 40 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.
What should I do if I need help right now?
In crisis or thinking about suicide? Call or text 988 (US and Canada), any time. In an emergency, call 911. This site cannot help in an emergency.
Which psychiatrists in Malibu work on weekends?
135 of 518 ranked psychiatrists post Saturday hours and 71 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Brainpower Wellness Institute - Torrance (#14), Rise in Malibu (#17) and btr. Mental Health and Wellness (#18). Posted hours are office hours; many practices also offer evening or online sessions by appointment.
What Google rating do Malibu psychiatrists have?
The median Google rating among 518 rated psychiatrists in Malibu is 4.6★, with a median of 11 reviews. Mindpath Health Psychiatrists & Therapists - Santa Monica has the most, 166 reviews, and ranks #46. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does RankedPsychologists rank psychiatrists?
Each psychiatrist gets a 0–100 RP Score from eight published factors, led by reputation (25%), specialty focus (25%), proximity (15%) and availability (10%). A practice with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only practices with a confirmed specialty and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.
Do psychiatrists outside Malibu count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 40 mi of the Malibu city center, our service radius for psychiatrists. Each listing shows where the practice is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 15% of the RP Score, so a nearby practice gets a small edge.
Can psychiatrists pay to rank higher on RankedPsychologists?
No. The RP Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured practices may appear above the list, labelled Sponsored and showing their honest rank.
How are psychiatrists in Malibu ranked?
Each practice gets an RP Score from 0 to 100 from 8 published factors, including its Google rating, how clearly it focuses on psychiatry and how close it is. Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank. The score does not measure treatment outcomes.
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who completed a residency in psychiatry and can prescribe medication. A psychologist usually holds a doctorate in psychology (PhD or PsyD), provides therapy and psychological testing, and in most places does not prescribe. Many people see both: a psychiatrist for medication and a psychologist or therapist for talk therapy.
Can I see a psychiatrist online?
Often, yes. Licensing generally follows where you are during the session, so the provider needs to be licensed or authorized there. In the US, psychologists in PSYPACT member states can offer telepsychology to clients in other member states; counselors and social workers have their own rules. In Canada, ask whether the provider is registered in your province.
What if I need help right now?
Do not wait for a consultation. Call or text 988 (US and Canada) if you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, at any time. In an emergency, call 911.
Update log for Malibu
- November 2026: RP Scores recalculated for 518 psychiatrists serving Malibu.
- November 2026: 1 duplicate listing merged.
More psychiatrists and Malibu pages
Psychiatrists near Malibu
- Psychiatrists in Agoura Hills, CA506 ranked
- Psychiatrists in Agoura, CA515 ranked
- Psychiatrists in Thousand Oaks, CA467 ranked
- Psychiatrists in Oak Park, CA497 ranked
- Psychiatrists in Calabasas, CA555 ranked
- Psychiatrists in Woodland Hills, CA563 ranked
- Psychiatrists in West Hills, CA540 ranked
- Psychiatrists in Canoga Park, CA562 ranked
- Psychiatrists in Santa Monica, CA652 ranked
- Psychiatrists in Simi Valley, CA470 ranked
Other specialties in Malibu
- Psychologists in Malibu197 ranked
- Therapists and counselors in Malibu250 ranked
- Child and teen therapists in Malibu98 ranked
- Couples therapists in Malibu159 ranked
- Family therapists in Malibu139 ranked
- Neuropsychologists in Malibu29 ranked
- Psychological testing practices in Malibu11 ranked
- Anxiety and OCD therapists in Malibu11 ranked
- Trauma and PTSD therapists in Malibu70 ranked
- Eating disorder therapists in Malibu47 ranked
- Clinical social workers in Malibu90 ranked
- Addiction counselors in Malibu409 ranked
- ABA therapy providers in Malibu63 ranked
- All psychologists in Malibu