Gregory Sayer MD

Dr. Sayer completed his medical degree and psychiatry residency at UCLA, followed by specialized fellowship training in child and adolescent psychiatry at New York-Presbyterian Hospital (Columbia and Cornell). He began his private practice in New York while serving on faculty at NYU Langone Health as a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry. After relocating to California, he established his Los Angeles practice and continues his academic involvement as Voluntary Clinical Faculty at UCLA, where he supervises psychiatry residents and fellows in long-term psychotherapy.

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Being licensed in CA and NY can be helpful for those who split time between both states. This can be especially convenient for adults who are bicoastal for work or young adults in college or graduate school in one state and family is in the other.

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Comprehensive, Personalized Mental Health Treatment

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Dr. Sayer’s approach recognizes that mental health conditions evolve across the lifespan and are influenced by a combination of biological, developmental, and environmental factors. With experience treating children, adolescents, adults, and families, he provides thoughtful, individualized care that adapts to each patient’s needs and goals.

He offers both medication management and psychotherapy, working collaboratively with patients to create effective, personalized treatment plans.

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Specialties & Areas of Expertise

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Dr. Sayer provides works with a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to:

• ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

• Anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety, social anxiety, performance anxiety, panic disorder)

• Depression and mood disorders

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• Insomnia and sleep disorders

• Personality disorder 

• Tic and Tourette disorders

• Behavioral challenges in children and adolescents

• Stress, grief and loss, life transitions, life satisfaction ​

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Therapy Modalities Offered

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Dr. Sayer is trained in multiple evidence-based psychotherapy approaches, that can be focused and intensive or more long term and psychoanalytic, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• CBT for insomnia (CBT-I)

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

• Psychodynamic psychotherapy

• Motivational enhancement therapy

• Parent Management Training

• Family therapy

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Dr. Sayer has experience working with:

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• Physicians and other healthcare professionals

• Attorneys and legal professionals

• Executives and business leaders

• Entrepreneurs 

• Creative professionals, including writers, artists, designers, musicians, and performers

• Entertainment industry professionals

• College students, graduate students, and professional students

• Adolescents and young adults navigating academic or career transitions

• Parents balancing demanding careers and family life

• Individuals seeking thoughtful second opinions regarding psychiatric diagnosis, medication, or therapy treatments

• LGBTQ+ individuals and families 

• People Seeking Mental Health Care for the First Time

  • Patients may come from families, cultural backgrounds, or professional environments where mental health concerns are rarely discussed or where seeking treatment carries significant stigma. Dr. Sayer strives to create a welcoming space where individuals can ask questions, explore treatment options, and make informed decisions without pressure or judgment.

Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, treatment is tailored to each person's goals, profession, relationships, and stage of life.

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Academic Leadership & Professional Recognition

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​Dr. Sayer has published research on ADHD medications in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He has also published research on Major Depressive Disorder and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and sexual issues well as Quality of Life in pediatric cancer populations. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (DFAACAP), and served in leadership roles within the organization, including the Program Committee and Special Interest Group Chair from 2015–2023.

He has delivered lectures and presentations for academic institutions (UCLA, Cedars Sinai, NYU, Columbia, Cornell, Community Health Care Network Nurse Practitioner Fellowship Program, PACE University Physician Assistant Program), and professional organizations, including the AACAP, Los Angeles County Bar Association and the Los Angeles County Training Consortium, on topics such as ADHD, trauma, parenting, diagnosis and treatment, and supporting families navigating mental health challenges. In addition to his clinical and academic work, Dr. Sayer serves on the Leadership Advisory Board and Wellness Committee at Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services.