Meet Laila Contractor | Integrative Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist

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

Hi Laila, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My father came to this country from India at a time where there was a shortage of physicians in the United States due to the Vietnam War. During our many trips to India, I used to shadow my grandfather who was a family physician. It was apparent to me watching him at even a young age how important it was to really listen to people and understand their story. He was also a freedom fighter in the movement for India’s independence. He was a fierce advocate for his patients and those around him. It is his influence that has made me an advocate in whatever I do and to have a deep curiosity of people’s stories.
My path to medicine was not easy. I had to study hard even at a young age and academics did not always come easy for me. I found out in my 40’s that I had multiple learning challenges that went undiagnosed. I am a community psychiatrist at heart and most of my training and even professional life has been in underserved areas. It was during my training on the Substance Use Disorders Unit where I learned the effects of trauma on individuals which lead people to use substances. This exposure forever had an impact on how to conceptualize treatment for individuals and families. After training in general psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry, I worked for Kaiser in East LA for thirteen years where I helped develop an intensive outpatient program for at-risk youth as well as a trauma program. Eventually my own traumas from childhood onward caught up with me and I became ill to the point where I was no longer able to work. I had extensive medical work-ups and while my impairment was obvious, physicians were at a loss as to why I was so impaired. This really forced me to look into integrative medicine as a route for possible healing. It was the use of various alternative integrative treatments that the progression of my illness was halted and I started making my way back to health. Determined to help others like me, I did a yearlong certification in integrative psychiatry as well as more intensive trauma therapy training. Integral to my healing journey was the use of psychedelic medicine. One may wonder why a traditionally trained physician like myself would turn to such a modality but when your health is failing and conventional medicine is not helping, one can become desperate enough to try anything. It was through psychedelics, integrative medicine, as well as various newer trauma healing modalities that the traumas my being experienced started getting addressed. My own experiences have led me to continue to help others who may not necessarily have typical presentations, those with learning challenges, and those with trauma. I firmly believe that having the correct diagnosis is paramount to figuring out the right treatment plan. And medications are not the solution to everything. In fact the longer I practice, the less confidence I have in medications to address the root cause of ailments. My patients and I are partners in the healing journey to figure out what can be done to best support them. There is a real look at the gifts and strengths each individual and family system brings with them and how we can utilize those to promote healing. Today, I practice as an integrative child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist and am grateful for the journey that has brought me thus far.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am an integrative child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who practices in Irvine, California. I specialize in trauma disorders, ADHD, learning challenges, mood disorders, concussions, traumatic brain injuries and clients interested in ketamine and other psychedelics. I also see athletes who want to perform better, conquer performance anxiety, and recover faster post injury. What sets me apart is that I spend a lot of time with patients to assess what their needs are. My assessments are at least 90-minutes and prior to seeing clients, I do speak to their current therapist to get an understanding of what the client is going through. I practice traditional psychiatry as well as use evidenced-based supplements and alternative treatments. Recently, I taught classes in integrative psychiatry at Cambridge Health Alliance (affiliated with Harvard University). I am passionate about learning and continue to take classes to grow my skill set. And I want parents to know that as a mother of three, I truly understand how parenting can be one of the most rewarding yet challenging parts of our existence.

I want people to know that I walk the walk too. I see a therapist, healing practitioners, and continue to work hard on my own healing journey. I believe I can only take my patients as far as I have gone. And I believe ALL of us are always doing the best that we can.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

If my friend was visiting, some must-see places would be Crystal Cove Beach, kayaking amongst the seals in Laguna Beach, checking out the art galleries in Laguna Beach, hitting up True Foods Kitchen, sitting amongst the flowers in Huntington Gardens, visiting HomeBoy Industries to see what can be done when we offer real work and value individuals for who they are, and checking out the beautiful mountains of Big Bear.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to thank my patients first and foremost. Their bravery never ceases to astound me and they have been my greatest teachers throughout my professional career. Besides my patients, I want to thank my three children who constantly challenge me to be the best version of myself and to have humility in all I do (especially the families I work with). I would also love to thank Dr. Gabor Maté and Beth Ebers for changing the trajectory of my life through compassion inquiry. I would love to thank the various practitioners along the way who have made my healing journey possible. I want to thank those in my compassion inquiry cohort as well as those in my integrative psychiatry training. I would also like to thank all the therapists who support my clients as I firmly believe psychiatrists are only as good as the therapists with which they work. And to my Grandfather who I know is always helping me along.

Website: http://LailaContractorMD.com

Instagram: @holistic.psych.doctor

Linkedin: Laila F.M. Contractor, M.D.

Facebook: Laila FM Contractor MD