MICHAEL HSU, M.D.

I practice psychiatry and psychotherapy with a person-centered, collaborative approach that attends to the biological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual dimensions of mental health. My 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.

My work includes:

  • Psychotherapy and medication management

  • Substance use and recovery

  • Navigating the use of cannabis-based medicines for sleep and anxiety

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

  • Family and relationships

  • Faith, meaning, and purpose

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About Me

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

I am currently on clinical faculty at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and I work in a clinic that serves Veterans experiencing homelessness with mental health and substance use issues. I serve as Principal Investigator on several federally funded research projects aimed at improving substance use disorder treatment outcomes among homeless-experienced Veterans, with an emphasis on translating evidence-based interventions into real-world care settings.

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

My research has been published in peer-reviewed journals including JAMA, Frontiers in Psychiatry, JMIR Mental Health, and The American Journal on Addictions. I regularly present my work at national conferences and am a frequently invited speaker at academic institutions, conferences, companies, and online platforms on topics related to mental health, addiction, cannabis, psychedelics and spirituality.

I am an advocate for responsible pharmaceutical drug pricing and am committed to promoting evidence-based, safe, and clinically appropriate use of cannabinoid-based therapies, as well as advancing research that clarifies their risks, benefits, and limitations. Specifically, I am an advocate for greater accessibility to high-quality CBD and low-potency oral THC products, the dissemination of evidence-based practices for the use of cannabinoids in medical conditions, and more regulation in the cannabis industry's labeling and marketing practices to enhance patient safety. Additionally, I support increased regulation to limit access to high-potency THC, particularly for vulnerable populations such as adolescents.

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Research

  • My research focuses on improving quality of and access to care for individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders. My research also involves the development and evaluation of interventions to improve substance use outcomes among populations facing structural barriers to care, including people experiencing homelessness.

    Methodologically, I use qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches within an implementation science framework to understand how interventions can be effectively adopted and sustained in clinical practice.

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

    2. 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.

    3. 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.

    4. 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).

    5. 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.

    6. 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.

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

    8. 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.

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

    10. 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.

  • My 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
    I am 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, I am evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of contingency management delivered in a novel pallet shelter setting for homeless-experienced Veterans.

    THRIVE Pilot Award.
    I am also supported by a THRIVE Pilot Award 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 major media channels including the New York Times, Washington Times, Newsweek, Washington Post, and National Geographic

Work with Dr. Hsu

  • 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 currently not taking any new patients.

  • 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.

  • Media Inquiries

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