Meet Ben Spielberg | Neuroscientist & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ben Spielberg and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ben, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting my own business certainly wasn’t my first choice. I would have much preferred being part of an interdisciplinary, integrative mental health facility, but there just weren’t any that existed at the time that I founded Bespoke Treatment. Since one didn’t exist, I figured the next best thing was to start my own. I had a loose financial model that seemed to indicate that this could be a viable business, but at the end of the day, I knew that people were suffering and I wanted to do what I could to help them.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We overcame so many challenges when we first started. Our goal is to provide the best possible individualized mental health treatment for those who are suffering from mental health disorders. In particular, we have a unique specialty treating individuals suffering from “treatment-resistant” conditions, meaning they have usually been in therapy and have tried a few different medications in the past. We have a lot of non-traditional, but evience-based options for individuals with depression, trauma, anxiety, and OCD.

It was most certainly NOT easy. We had barriers every step of the way. It wasn’t easy getting insurance companies to cover many of our treatments like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (a non-invasive, non-drug FDA approved treatment for depression) and ketamine therapy. Doctors around Los Angeles didn’t even believe that the treatments that we offer work, even though there was a huge compendium of literature supporting them. But the few that believed in them referred to us, started seeing how powerfully it impacted their patients, and then referred more, and the rest is history.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting LA, I’d curate a week-long adventure that dives deep into the city’s hidden gems. We’d start with a hike in the Santa Monica Mountains, but instead of the crowded Runyon Canyon, we’d explore the lesser-known Solstice Canyon. After soaking in the serenity, we’d head to Topanga Canyon for lunch at the quirky Inn of the Seventh Ray, nestled among oak trees and flowing creeks. Afternoons would be spent wandering through eclectic neighborhoods like Highland Park, where we’d browse vintage shops and grab a coffee at a tucked-away spot like Civil Coffee. For a unique art experience, the Museum of Jurassic Technology in Culver City would be a must-visit, offering a blend of science, art, and mythology that’s both bewildering and fascinating. Evenings would find us at the rooftop of the Ace Hotel downtown, not just for the view, but for the chance to catch a local indie band or a classic film screening at the Theatre at Ace.

As the week progresses, we’d take a day trip to Ojai, a small town about an hour away, known for its spiritual retreats and organic farms. Here, we’d explore the farmer’s market and enjoy a wine tasting at a local vineyard. Back in LA, we’d spend a day biking along the Ballona Creek Trail, far from the Venice Beach crowds, ending at the Marina del Rey for a sunset sail. For food, I’d mix it up with meals at cozy, family-run spots like Night + Market Song for some authentic Thai street food in Silver Lake and Guelaguetza for Oaxacan cuisine in Koreatown. We’d end the trip with a late-night visit to Clifton’s Republic downtown, an old-school cafeteria turned multi-level bar, where we could grab a cocktail amidst a surreal mix of taxidermy, vintage décor, and live jazz.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My brother, for encouraging me to start my own business. My science mentors who taught me about the brain and mental health. My 5 years of non-profit experience in my early professional career, where I learned how to prioritize our mission above all else.

Website: https://bespoketreatment.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bespoke_treatment

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bespoketreatment

Twitter: https://x.com/BespokeTx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TryBespokeTreatment/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bespoke-treatment-los-angeles

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@bespoketreatment