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Dr. Orlando Cartaya is a psychiatrist based in Los Angeles with training in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Psychotic Disorders, and Substance Use Disorders. His research focuses on Ketamine treatment for refractory depression and other disorders, cross-cultural psychiatry with emphasis on Dual Diagnosis populations, Post Traumatic Stress Disorders, and addiction psychiatry. He began incorporating ketamine with psychotherapy into his practice as early as 2015, after following the early ketamine trials.

Through his diverse experiences and training in both pharmacology and psychotherapy, Dr. Cartaya prescribes individually tailored therapeutic interventions, typically including lifestyle changes and where warranted, medication options—with novel treatments such as ketamine-assisted psychotherapy—in an empathic, non-judgmental, and safe space. He integrates knowledge and practices from psychodynamic psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and particularly enjoys helping clients to achieve meaningful growth and motivation for positive change. In his free time, Dr. Cartaya enjoys playing and listening to music, writing short stories and memoirs, seeing friends, and traveling.

Credentials

• National Institute of Mental Health, APA/NIMH Fellowship winner for cross-cultural studies, July 1993.
• Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Department of Psychiatry Resident Physician, 1993.
• University of Southern California School of Medicine, M.D., June 1989.
• University of Southern California Los Angeles, Bachelor of Science, Biology (Cum Laude), June 1985.

Distinctions

• Alpha Omega Alpha, University of Southern California
• National Honor Society, Class of 2000
• APA/National Institute of Mental Health Fellow
• APA/NIMH Trainee Consultant, 1992–1993
• Vice President, APA/NIMH Fellowship Program, 1992–1993
• APA/NIMH Resident Representative to the Joint Reference Committee of the APA, 1992–1993
• APA/NIMH Resident Representative to the APA State and Community Mental Health, 1991–1993

Teaching Experience

• Clinical Supervisor of Residents, Harbor–UCLA Dept of Psychiatry, 1997–1999
• Clinical Supervisor, Cross-Cultural and Community Psychiatry Elective, UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute–Santa Monica West, 1993–1997
• Clinical Supervisor/Lecturer, Psychiatric Clerkship for Medical Students, Riverside/UCLA Biomedical Science Program, 1993
• Lecturer, HIV Health Education Community Awareness Program for Medical Students, University of Southern California, 1989

Presentations & Engagements

1. Evaluation and Treatment of Addictive Disorders, Lecture Series, Daniel Freeman Marina Hospital, Marina Del Rey, California (1999–2005).
2. Issues in Dual Diagnosis Treatment, Lecture Series, Hollywood Hospital of Van Nuys, California (1997–1998).
3. Treatment of Mood and Anxiety Disorders in Geriatric Populations, L.A. Metropolitan Hospital, Los Angeles, California (1996–1997).
4. Conference on Cross-Cultural Approaches to Grief and Bereavement, Coordinator, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California (April 1992).
5. Psychiatric Considerations in Refugee and Immigrant Populations, NIMH–APA Workshop, APA Annual Conference, Washington, D.C. (May 1992).
6. Cross-Cultural Aspects of Eating Disorders, Harbor–UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California (July 1992).
7. New Approaches to Psychosocial Rehabilitation (Coordinator), Harbor–UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California (April 1993).
8. Inter-Racial Conflict and Resolution: Changing Role of Mental Health Professionals, NIMH–APA Workshop, APA Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California (May 1993).
9. Axis II Pathology and Recidivism in High Utilizing Schizophrenic Populations (Young Investigator Poster), APA Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California (May 1993).
10. New World Disorder – Merging Challenges of Mental Health Professionals, with WHO Representative, Harbor–UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California (May 1993).
11. Psychopharmacological Treatment of Torture Victims, National Cross-Cultural Training Conference, UC Irvine, California (May 1993).

Publications

1. Time Efficient Treatment in Community Settings. Vaccaro, J., Chung, R., Cartaya, O.J. in Community Psychiatry Practitioner’s Manual, American Psychiatric Press, 1996.
2. Conceptual Models and Psychopharmacological Treatment of Torture Victims in Caring for Victims of Torture, Smith, M., Cartaya, O.J., Lesser, I., Lin, K., Refugee Studies Program, Oxford, 1998, pp. 149–169.
3. Sexual Behavior and Knowledge Regarding AIDS after a Pilot High School Intervention Program. Richardson, J.L., Cartaya, O.J., Levine, A. USC Journal of Medicine, Summer 1988.
4. On the Disadvantages and Acculturation of Stress in American Indian Youths. Cartaya, O.J. USC Journal of Medicine, Fall 1988.