The mission of the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, as part of the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM), is to develop and maintain an environment in which exemplary patient care for patients 65 and older is integrated with education and research.  

UCLA became a national leader in geriatric psychiatry in 1977 when the first geriatric inpatient unit, “3-South,” opened in anticipation of the growing population of older adults. In 1981, one of the first NIMH-funded, ACGME geriatric psychiatry fellowship and geriatric psychology/neuropsychology fellowship programs began. Over the years, many geriatric psychiatrists and geriatric psychologists/neuropsychologists have been trained at UCLA. The graduates of our training programs now work in a variety of clinical, academic, and/or research settings. 

The Division continues to train general psychiatry residents, medical students, and fellows. Division faculty and voluntary clinical professors supervise and mentor trainees in clinical services, academic settings, and clinical research.  

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Clinical Services

• Geriatric inpatient unit at Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital for patients who require hospitalization
• Electroconvulsive Therapy services patient and outpatient services 
• Ketamine treatment 
• Geriatric Evaluation Clinic (GEC) -Comprehensive outpatient psychiatric evaluation, medication management and short-term treatment of patients with depression, anxiety, psychosis, sleeplessness, chronic pain, and other disorders   
• Neuropsychological assessments  
• Post-Covid Clinic  
• Psychotherapy 

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Longevity Center Programs

• Brain Boot Camp
  Didactics on optimal brain health, nutrition, stress management, exercise, and memory training 
• Memory Care
  Memory enhancing techniques for people with mild memory challenges and their significant others. 
• Senior Scholars
  A UCLA campus program for older adults 50+ to audit regular session undergraduate courses with distinguished UCLA professors at reduced fees. Enjoy an intergenerational experience without exams, reports, or prerequisites.  
• Webinars  

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Academic Involvement

The Division faculty are engaged in a variety of educational and leadership roles such as Geriatric Psychiatry fellowship director, GEC clinic attendings, Hospitalist program attending physicians, evening call supervision, lecturers, RNPH site directors, 4th year medical students.