Private Practice

About Alicia Ruelaz Maher, M.D., Integrative Psychiatrist

Dr. Alicia Ruelaz Maher, formerly Dr. Alicia Ruelaz, is a board certified diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, with subspecialty certification in Psychosomatic Medicine, Dr. Maher is passionate about neuroscience, culture, spirituality and medicine. Her own journey has led her everywhere from working at Mother Theresa’s Sisters of Mercy center for abandoned children in Calcutta, India to become Associate Director of the Psychiatric Consultation Service of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA.

Through over 15 years of studying, practicing and teaching in academic medicine, living yoga in yearly ashram retreats, and observing medical care during travel to more than 30 countries, Dr. Maher has developed a “Spiritual Neuroscience” that integrates alternative and western medicine, spirituality and neuroscience for innovation in current medical practice.

Dr. Maher has taught USC, UCSF and UCLA Medical students as well as Cedars-Sinai Psychiatry residents and has lectured to thousands of professionals and individuals. She has written many articles for medical journals and her expertise has been used by JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), Medscape, Psychiatric Times, Journal of General Internal Medicine, The International Association for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and several others.

Dr. Maher has been named one of SoCal’s SuperDoctors, every year, from 2017 to 2024.

Now, she has chosen to bring her Spiritual Neuroscience to those who desire tools and techniques to guide the journey of their own lives.

Location

Appointments are available in the Santa Monica office or by Telephone or Video.

530 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 306
Santa Monica, CA 90401

What patients are saying

“Very Insightful and makes you think more about yourself”

“Dr. Maher is wonderful. She inspires you to look inward. I always find myself leaving her appointments rejuvenated and in a better mind set”

“Thank you so much for all of your support, wisdom and knowledge”

“You were the first highly qualified person…who made the right things happen- and fast.”

“You are an incredible person and therapist”

“I trust you and have really felt blessed to have you and your treatment which has made a significant difference in my life”

“I have sent a bunch of my clients to see Alicia Maher and everyone loves her. I pretty much don’t refer to anyone but her at this point. She is the best!”

“I am able to start a new chapter in my life with an attitude of acceptance and hope because of the confidence your treatment has given me. I feel very lucky to be your patient”

Services/Fees

Dr. Maher practices Integrative Psychiatry in Adults (18 and up), starting with an in-person evaluation which can then be followed by phone, video or in-person appointments.

Initial Consultation:

Your initial Integrative Psychiatry evaluation will include a comprehensive assessment of your current mental health as well as an exploration of potentially contributing medical factors. I want to know who you are and who I can help you to become, as well as the type of services that you prefer. I’ll make recommendations which can include lab studies, medications, supplements, behavioral techniques, Eastern techniques, and psychotherapy options. If your desire is to discontinue medication from another provider, we’ll work together to formulate a plan that makes that as easy as possible.

To begin this process, fill out the New Patient Evaluation Form (clickable-and so it emails to me) so that Dr. Maher can review and make sure that she will be the best fit for you. After that, you’ll receive a call to schedule.

Fee: $550/ 50 minutes, $675/ 80 minutes

Ongoing Care:

25-minute brief therapy and medication management session: We’ll go over the medication or supplement you are taking, make any adjustments as necessary and discuss additional techniques for you to feel better.

Fee: $300/ 25 minutes

50-minute customized therapy and medication/ supplement management sessions. This is great for more in-depth work, either weekly or as needed. We can get into more psychotherapy from the wide variety in which I’ve been trained as well as techniques I’ve developed, informed by a variety of traditions.

Fee: $475/ 50 minutes, $395/ 50 minutes if weekly

 Due to insurance restrictions, Dr. Maher is out of network and payment is required at time of service.