MICHAEL HSU, M.D.

Dr. Hsu is a board-certified addiction psychiatrist at the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center and a Health Sciences Clinical Instructor at the UCLA Department of Psychiatry and with a small private practice in Los Angeles. He provides care in a clinic serving Veterans experiencing homelessness with mental health and substance use disorders. He uses a person-centered, collaborative approach that attends to the biological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual dimensions of mental health. His goal is to create a thoughtful and grounded space where people feel understood—not reduced to a diagnosis—and supported in making meaningful, sustainable change.

His clinical work includes:

  • Psychotherapy and medication management

  • Substance use and recovery

  • Attention to lifestyle factors such as sleep, exercise, nutrition, and stress

  • Navigating the use of cannabis and cannabinoids for clinical conditions

  • Family and relationships

  • Faith, meaning, and purpose

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About Me

Dr. Hsu received his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed his psychiatry residency training at Harvard Medical School–affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

His clinical work integrates psychotherapy and medication management, grounded in a collaborative and person-centered approach. His psychotherapy training spans psychodynamic and psychoanalytic traditions, as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.

He is a principal investigator on several federally funded research studies focused on developing and implementing innovative and evidence-based substance use treatment interventions for people experiencing homelessness with stimulant use disorder and/or opioid use disorder. My research also focuses on broadening access to opioid use disorder treatment among marginalized populations and the therapeutic use of cannabis and cannabinoids. I am also a recipient of the VA Office of Research & Development (ORD) Career Development Award to advance psychosocial interventions targeting methamphetamine use and adverse housing outcomes in permanent supportive housing for Veterans. I also have an interest in medical education regarding the endocannabinoid system and therapeutic use of cannabis and cannabinoids.

His research has been published in leading peer-reviewed medical journals including JAMA, Frontiers in Psychiatry, JMIR Mental Health, and The American Journal on Addictions. He regularly presents his work at national and international conferences and is a sought-after speaker at academic institutions, non-profits, private companies, and popular online streaming sites on topics related to mental health and technology, addiction, cannabis, psychedelics and spirituality. His work has also been featured on major media outlets such as the New York Times, NBC, iHeartRadio, The Washington Post, and Fox News.

Michael Hsu UCLA Psychiatry

Research

  • Dr. Hsu’s research focuses on 1) broadening access to evidence-based substance use disorder treatments for vulnerable populations and 2) applying innovative methods to develop, implement, and disseminate evidence-based substance use disorder treatments.

    1. Hsu M, Shah A, Jordan A, Gold MS, Hill KP. Therapeutic use of cannabis and cannabinoids: A review. JAMA. 2025.

    2. Hsu M, Lawrence D, Capone-Newton P, Gelberg L. Reframing Opioid Overdose as an Ambulatory Care-Sensitive Condition. JAMA. 2025.

    3. Hsu M, Ahern DK, Suzuki J. Digital phenotyping to enhance substance use treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. JMIR Mental Health. 2020;7(10):e21814.

    4. Hsu M, Jung OS, Kwan LT, Jegede O, Martin B, Malhotra A, Suzuki J. Access challenges to opioid use disorder treatment among individuals experiencing homelessness: Voices from the streets. Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment. 2024;157:209216.

    5. Hsu M, Martin B, Ahmed S, Torous J, Suzuki J. Smartphone ownership, utilization, and interest in using mental health apps to address substance use disorders. JMIR Formative Research. 2022;6(7).

    6. Hsu M, Panadero T, Choothakan N, Castellon MO, Gee G, Jacobo E, et al. Feasibility and acceptability of a contingency management program for stimulant use disorder in a pallet shelter community for homeless-experienced Veterans. Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment. 2025.

    7. Malhotra A, Drexler K, Hsu M, Tang Y. Medication treatment for alcohol use disorder in special populations. The American Journal on Addictions. 2023;32(5):433–441.

    8. Hsu M, Shah A, Hill KP. Is your patient’s cannabis use problematic? Journal of Family Practice. 2020;69(8):379–385.

    9. Hsu M, Farahmand P, Baslet G, Sanchez L, Levy-Carrick NC, Suzuki J. An impaired physician with alcohol use disorder and multiple medical comorbidities. Harvard Review of Psychiatry. 2020;28(3):215–223.

    10. Hsu M, Malhotra A, Hill KP. Cannabis use disorder. Encyclopedia of the Neurological Sciences. 2023.

    11. Martinowich K, Cardinale KM, Schloesser RJ, Hsu M, Greig NH, Manji HK. Acetylcholinesterase inhibition ameliorates deficits in motivational drive. Behavioral and Brain Functions. 2012;8(1):15.

  • Dr. Hsu’s current work focuses on developing, adapting, and implementing evidence-based interventions to improve substance use treatment, with particular attention to engagement, feasibility, and equity in real-world care settings.

    Career Development Award
    Dr. Hsu is leading a Career Development Award focused on adapting contingency management for substance use disorder in permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. This work uses qualitative and consensus-informed approaches, along with implementation science methods, to design an intervention that is contextually responsive and scalable, with the goal of improving substance use outcomes and social functioning among homeless-experienced Veterans in permanent supportive housing.

    UCLA / VA Center of Excellence Pilot Award.
    Through a UCLA/VA Center of Excellence Pilot Award, Dr. Hsu is evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of contingency management delivered in a novel pallet shelter setting for homeless-experienced Veterans.

    THRIVE Pilot Award.
    Dr. Hsu is examining barriers and facilitators to accessing opioid use disorder treatment among homeless-experienced Veterans. This work aims to identify actionable opportunities to improve treatment reach and engagement within permanent supportive housing.

  • My research has been featured in numerous media outlets including the New York Times, NBC, Washington Post, iHeartRadio, Fox News, and APA News.

Work with Dr. Hsu

  • A person sitting on a dark gray couch with their hands clasped together and their elbows resting on their knees, wearing a maroon shirt and dark jeans.

    Clinical Care

    I offer thoughtful, person-centered psychiatric care that integrates psychotherapy, medication when appropriate, and attention to lifestyle, relationships, values, and meaning.

    I am not currently accepting new patients. For general inquiries or professional correspondence, please use the Contact page.

  • Speaking & Education

    I speak on topics related to mental health, addiction, cannabis, and the intersection of spirituality and mental health. I work with academic institutions, health systems, companies, community organizations, and professional audiences.

  • Stack of newspapers, with one headline reading 'World Business' visible.

    Media Inquiries

    I have provided expert commentary to national and international media outlets, including The New York Times, NBC, Fox News, iHeartRadio, U.S. News & World Report, National Geographic, and Healthline.

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