Telehealth Psychiatry in California: Medication Management and Therapy From One Provider

Finding a psychiatrist in California who provides both therapy and medication management through a single provider relationship is harder than most people expect. The state has one of the largest psychiatrist shortages in the country, and the practices that do exist tend to operate one of two ways: medication management only, with therapy referred out to a separate provider, or therapy-focused practices staffed by providers rather than board-certified psychiatrists.

For patients who need both, that gap creates a real problem. Medication decisions are made without direct knowledge of what is happening therapeutically. Therapeutic progress is limited by what the medication is or is not doing. And the patient spends time and energy coordinating between two providers who may not be in close communication.

Empathy Therapy is a telehealth psychiatry and psychotherapy practice built around empathic therapy, where genuine connection, careful listening, and integrated care are the foundation of every patient relationship. Dr. Mark Chofla, DO, is a board-certified psychiatrist who completed his undergraduate education at the University of California, Davis, his medical training at Midwestern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, and his psychiatry residency and internship at the University of Southern California (USC). He has also served as a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, Davis Medical Center and School of Medicine.

Dr. Chofla provides psychiatric medication management, formal psychotherapy, and executive life coaching for adults, adolescents, and children across California via telehealth. New patient intakes are 75 minutes. Follow-up appointments are 45 minutes. New patients are typically seen within days, not weeks. Empathy Therapy also serves patients across Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Alaska, New York, and Florida.

Why the Integrated Model Matters in California

California has a documented shortage of psychiatrists, and the shortage is concentrated in outpatient care. Patients who need ongoing psychiatric support often face months-long waitlists, short appointments focused exclusively on medication, and fragmented care that splits therapy and prescribing between providers who operate independently.

The standard medication management appointment in California runs 15 to 30 minutes. In that window, a psychiatrist reviews symptoms, adjusts medication if needed, and the appointment ends. There is no room for the kind of sustained therapeutic conversation that produces lasting change. For patients managing anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, or bipolar disorder, that model provides partial support at best.

Dr. Chofla’s approach is different. As a board-certified psychiatrist who provides both medication management and formal psychotherapy, he holds the complete clinical picture for every patient. What comes up in a therapy session informs how medication is managed. How medication is affecting mood, sleep, and cognition informs the therapeutic work. Nothing falls through the gap that typically exists when two separate providers handle different parts of the same patient’s care.

One patient described the difference that level of attention makes: “I’ve been seeing Dr. Mark Chofla for a few months now, and I’ve been impressed with his ability to listen and provide thoughtful feedback. He doesn’t rush through appointments, which I really appreciate, and he encourages open dialogue about treatment options. I’ve noticed meaningful improvements in my mental health under his care.” — Healthgrades

Who Dr. Chofla Treats in California

Empathy Therapy serves adults, adolescents, and children across California. Patients come from Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, the Bay Area, Orange County, and communities across the state, including areas where access to a psychiatrist who also provides therapy is limited.

Common presentations include anxiety that has become chronic rather than situational, depression that therapy alone or medication alone has not adequately addressed, ADHD in adults who were never properly diagnosed or whose symptoms have become more disruptive over time, burnout from high-pressure professional or caregiving demands, trauma and grief that require both therapeutic processing and psychiatric support, and life transitions that have destabilized mood, sleep, or functioning.

Many patients arrive at Empathy Therapy after years of receiving medication management from a provider they see briefly every few months, alongside therapy from a separate provider with no direct communication between them. The 75-minute intake is often the first time they have had an extended conversation with a psychiatrist who is attending to both dimensions of their care at once.

Another patient reflected on what that kind of sustained attention produced over time: “He was kind, professional, and really listened. Even online, I felt supported and understood. He explained things clearly and made treatment easy to follow.” — Healthgrades

Telehealth Psychiatry Across All of California

Because Empathy Therapy is fully telehealth, patients anywhere in California can access the same level of care. There are no in-person requirements, no commute, and no geographic limitation on who can be seen. Patients in rural Northern California, the Central Valley, the Inland Empire, and communities far from major metro areas have the same access as patients in Los Angeles or San Francisco.

Dr. Chofla has practiced telehealth psychiatry for over 15 years, well before telehealth became standard. Patients consistently report that the quality of the clinical relationship through video is not diminished by the distance. One patient noted: “Within minutes you certainly do forget that there is technology and miles in between you.” — Vitals

Private Pay, Superbills, and How Costs Work

Empathy Therapy is a private-pay, fee-for-service practice. Insurance is not accepted. For patients who have navigated insurance-driven psychiatric care, the private-pay model removes the constraints that limit appointment length, restrict the number of sessions, and require justification of treatment decisions to an insurance reviewer.

Patients receive a detailed superbill after each appointment, which can be submitted to insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Many patients with PPO plans recover a portion of their costs this way. Dr. Chofla’s office can provide guidance on that process.

The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Anyone with questions about their mental health is encouraged to speak with a qualified healthcare provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Dr. Chofla provide therapy, or only medication management?

Both. Dr. Chofla provides formal psychotherapy and psychiatric medication management. Patients receive whichever combination fits their situation, including therapy only or medication only when that is appropriate.

Does Empathy Therapy serve patients across all of California?

Yes. Because the practice is fully telehealth, patients anywhere in California can be seen, including rural areas and communities outside major metros.

How long are appointments?

New patient intakes are 75 minutes. Follow-up appointments are 45 minutes.

How quickly can I be seen?

New patients are typically seen within days, not weeks.

Does Empathy Therapy accept insurance?

No. Empathy Therapy is a private-pay, fee-for-service practice. Patients receive a superbill after each appointment for potential out-of-network reimbursement.

Which states does Empathy Therapy serve?

Empathy Therapy serves adults, adolescents, and children across California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Alaska, New York, and Florida via telehealth.

How do I get started?

Book online at 

www.empathytherapy.com