Ascend Psychiatry

A Healthy Life Is Within Reach.

Now Accepting New Patients

Telehealth anywhere in California with flexible scheduling

我能講國語. 請來電 818-649-9123, 您可以直接用中文留言.

About Shuang Lei, MD

Insightful Care from a Doctor Shaped by a Global Journey

Hello, my name is Shuang Lei

Born and raised in Xi’an, China, I've journeyed through three countries and four culturally rich cities. These experiences have shown me that while there's no single "right" way to live, there's always a path to a "better" way. As a first-generation immigrant, college graduate, and doctor, I bring deep compassion and understanding to my practice, committed to helping you discover and embrace a better version of yourself.

Inspired by care I want to receive

Ascend Psychiatry was born out of a desire to offer you the best, psychiatry that comes to complement your dynamic lifestyle and tracking your changing needs. Our philosophy of “quality over quantity” means I intentionally keep my practice small, allowing me to focus on a handful of patients at a time, so you get the most exceptional care you deserve

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what sets us apart

Unfettered Access

Tired of waiting on your doctor? At Ascend, you have direct access to me—your dedicated provider—without the hassle of mid-levels or covering doctors who don’t know your history. I respond as soon as possible to ease your concerns and provide timely, personalized care.

Psychodynamic Approach

We’ll explore not just how medications affect your body, but also how past experiences shape maladaptive patterns. My goal is to help you gain insights that foster independence rather than reliance on medication.

Convenience and Flexibility

All visits are virtual, so you can connect from anywhere in California—no need to leave home. Traveling? As long as you have internet and privacy, your care continues. I also offer after-hours appointments to fit your schedule.

Services

My Specialities

I specialize in a wide range of mental health concerns, including:

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Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are conditions where feelings of worry, fear, or nervousness become overwhelming and hard to control. These feelings can interfere with daily life, relationships, and activities.

Mood Disorders

Mood disorders are mental health conditions that impact your emotions over time. While everyone experiences ups and downs, these disorders cause intense or prolonged feelings that can make daily life challenging.

Trauma and Related Disorders

 

Trauma disorders stem from distressing or overwhelming events, leaving a lasting impact that can make it hard to feel safe or move forward.

ADHD

ADHD affects focus, impulse control, and organization, making it hard to sit still, pay attention, or stay on track. It’s a brain-based condition, not about effort or laziness.

Grief / Loss

 

Grief is a natural response to loss, but when it becomes overwhelming or prolonged, it can affect your well-being.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorders

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) involves unwanted, distressing thoughts (obsessions) and the urge to perform rituals (compulsions) to ease anxiety.

Sleep Issues

Sleep disorders affect the quality of your sleep and how rested you feel. When persistent, they can impact your daily life, mood, and overall health.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders involve unhealthy eating habits and an extreme focus on food, body weight, or shape. These behaviors can disrupt daily life and lead to serious health issues, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds.

Personality Disorders

Personality disorders affect how someone thinks, feels, and behaves, making it difficult to relate to others, manage emotions, or cope with challenges. These long-lasting patterns can impact relationships, work, and daily life.

Women's Mental Health

 

Women’s mental health can be influenced by life stages like menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause, causing emotional and physical changes. These conditions are common and treatable.

LGBTQ+ Related Issues

LGBTQ+ includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other identities. These individuals may face challenges like discrimination or internal struggles, affecting mental health, but with support, they can lead fulfilling lives.

My Professional Background

Qualified & Experienced Care

I am a board-certified general adult psychiatrist with an extensive educational and professional background:

Education

  • Columbia University in New York City - Neuroscience and Behavior
  • University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine - Doctor of Medicine
  • University of Southern California - Graduate Certificate in Pain Medicine

Residency

  • Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center - Residency in Psychiatry
  • California Medical Board Certification in The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

Experience

  • Los Angeles County Medical Center
  • Keck Hospital of USC
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • Exodus Recovery Urgent Care
  • Crisis Intervention at Ventura County Medical Center
  • Department of Mental Health Adult Outpatient Clinics
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10+

Years Of Experience

Over the years, my experience of practicing psychiatry in diverse settings have allowed me to refine my methods, incorporating the most current knowledge and practices, unlike many other doctors who rely on outdated approaches. Ascend Psychiatry is dedicated to helping you achieve a h ealthier future with the latest in mental health care.

Testimonials

What My Patients Say

I cant say enough amazing words about the care and support I have received over the last years from Dr.Lei.  She has been there for me consistently through some of the most challenging times I’ve endured the last year and a half. She is extremely knowledgeable and always listen to the patient first, yet has solid recommendations for me. I’ve always felt safe and taken care of while under Dr Lei’s care. 
WendyPatient
Working with Dr. Lei has been an incredibly positive and transformative experience for me. She has supported my emotional and physical well-being with such care and understanding, never pushing anything on me that didn’t feel right or that I wasn’t ready for. Dr. Lei truly sees and respects me in ways that most medical providers do not, creating a safe space where I feel genuinely heard and valued. Her compassionate approach has made a significant difference in my life, helping me to grow and heal at my own pace. I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Lei to anyone seeking a provider who offers both expertise and empathy. I am so grateful for her unwavering support and dedication to my well-being.
AngPatient
Dr. Lei is by far the most intelligent and in-depth psychiatrist I have had. I bounced around about 5 or 6 psychs in the past who would meet with me for 5-20 minutes and prescribe a pill. None of them asked the correct questions, or got the chance to genuinely try to figure out what my situation was. I found them even getting frustrated with me because nothing would work. Dr. Lei was different, she wants to gather as much information about you and she uses her experience + knowledge to cater to your specific needs. She is willing to go above and beyond and makes sure that you as the patient understands her point of view, while still taking into consideration how you feel about certain meds. Everything is documented to look for patterns, reactions, and to keep track of progress session after session. I truly owe a lot to Dr. Lei, she completely changed the trajectory of my life for the best and I’m eternally grateful for her.
Brandon
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Common Symptoms of Anxiety:

  • Feeling restless, tense, or on edge
  • Trouble concentrating or feeling like your mind is blank
  • Physical symptoms like a racing heart, sweating, or stomach discomfort
  • Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep
  • Avoiding situations or places out of fear

Common Symptoms of Mood Disorders:

  • Feeling sad or down most of the time
  • Losing interest in things you usually enjoy
  • Big changes in energy levels—feeling very low or overly “up”
  • Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
  • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
  • Feeling hopeless, worthless, or guilty

Common Symptoms of Trauma-Related Disorders:

  • Reliving the event through memories, nightmares, or flashbacks
  • Avoiding people, places, or things that remind you of the event
  • Feeling constantly on edge, jumpy, or easily startled
  • Struggling with sleep, anger, or concentration
  • Feeling numb, detached, or out of touch with reality

Common Symptoms of ADHD:

  • Inattention: trouble focusing on tasks or staying on topic; easily distracted by things going on around you
  • Hyperactivity: feeling restless or constantly “on the go”; trouble staying seated or quiet, especially in situations where it’s expected
  • Impulsivity: acting without thinking, making hasty decisions; interrupting others or having difficulty waiting for your turn

Common Symptoms of Grief and Loss Disorders:

  • Intense sadness or longing for the person or thing lost
  • Difficulty accepting the reality of the loss
  • Trouble finding joy or meaning in life
  • Feeling numb, detached, or disconnected from others
  • Physical symptoms like fatigue, changes in appetite, or sleep issues
  • Feeling hopeless, anxious, or as if life has lost its purpose

Common Symptoms of OCD:

  • Obsessions: Recurrent, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant anxiety or distress (e.g., fear of germs, harming someone, or making a mistake).
  • Compulsions: Repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce anxiety or prevent a feared outcome (e.g., washing hands, checking things multiple times, counting).
  • Feeling like the compulsions must be done perfectly or something bad will happen if they’re not.
  • Spending a lot of time on these thoughts and behaviors, which can interfere with daily life.

Common Symptoms of Sleep Disorders:

  • Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • Waking up too early and not being able to go back to sleep
  • Feeling tired or sluggish during the day, even after a full night’s sleep
  • Snoring loudly or gasping for air while sleeping
  • Trouble concentrating or remembering things
  • Feeling irritable or anxious because of poor sleep

Common Symptoms of Personality Disorders:

  • Difficulty understanding or relating to other people’s feelings
  • Trouble managing emotions, leading to mood swings or strong reactions
  • Unstable relationships, often involving idealizing people one moment and then feeling angry or disconnected the next
  • Persistent patterns of behavior that are extreme or unhealthy
  • A strong sense of distress or dissatisfaction with life

Common symptoms of women’s mental health issues:

  • Menstruation related: extreme mood swings, depression, and anxiety that interfere with daily life.
  • Pregnancy and postpartum related: depression, anxiety, or psychosis that occurs during or after pregnancy, often characterized by feeling of sadness, hopelessness, fatigue, extreme worry or fear especially about the baby’s health, difficulty bonding with the baby, or rare and serious conditions where a woman experiences hallucinations or delusions
  • Menopause related: perimenopausal or post-menopausal changes in mood, irritability, anxiety, and depression due to fluctuating hormone levels.

Common Mental Health Challenges for LGBTQ+ Individuals:

  • Social stigma and discrimination
  • Internalized shame or guilt
  • Rejection from family or friends
  • Identity confusion or exploration
  • Higher risk of mental health issues

Gender Identity and Mental Health:

  • Gender Dysphoria: A condition where someone feels distress due to a mismatch between their assigned gender and their gender identity. This can affect emotional well-being.

  • Transitioning Stress: The process of transitioning to a gender that aligns with one’s identity can bring emotional challenges, including fear of rejection, social stigma, or physical discomfort.