Today we’d like to introduce you to Weei LoAllen.
Hi Weei, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It is so nice to meet you! I am Dr. Weei LoAllen, M.D. I am a board certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist and founder of Sunward Psychiatry. I specialize in working with high achieving individuals and families navigating life transitions.
I was raised in Eastern Asia, but came of age in the United State. For most of my life, I have lived between two very different cultures. Therefore, in my professional life, I strive to find a balance that both serves my community and captivates my intellectual curiosity. During medical school, I discovered the profession of Psychiatry — a discipline that integrates both the science and art of medicine.
I completed my Psychiatry residency at UCLA and Greater Los Angeles VA, where I served as chief resident. To prepare for the nuanced complexity of working with youths and their families, I pursued further specialization with a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at USC and Los Angeles General Medical Center.
To deepen and broaden my understanding of the psychodynamic theories of the human psyche, I completed advanced training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy at the New Center for Psychoanalysis in Los Angeles. This training helps me bring a thoughtful and integrative approach to my clients.
I decided to build Sunward Psychiatry as a practice that provides an affirming space and compassionate care for clients with diverse lived experiences. I was inspired by the humble yet beautiful sunflower, which turns its face to the sun, tracking the warmth and light through an entire day. My hope is to help my clients to also look sunward and grow strong, despite the many headwinds of modern life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Establishing a new life as an immigrant comes with many unique challenges and rewards. Adjusting to a new home and environment was often disorienting. To cope with these challenges, I developed a keen interest in observing social interactions and understanding the human psyche. In time, I grew to appreciate the importance of the unconscious and symbolic meanings behind our actions, and how our unique cultural upbringing and lived experiences influence us on a daily basis.
I am grateful to have the opportunity to put down roots and build a practice that honors the authentic self of all my clients. One of the biggest challenges with starting a business is to decide how I want to structure my practice. I learned to trust my instincts and believe in the values that led me to build Sunward Psychiatry.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At sunward psychiatry, I firmly believe my clients are the expert of themselves. I place a strong emphasis on collaboration with my clients and their support network in developing tailored treatment plans. I strive to bring a thoughtful and integrative approach to mental health support. I draw on both psychopharmacology and psychotherapy to support each client’s unique needs. I take a judicious and individualized approach to medications.
With deep experience supporting high achieving individuals and families, I bring a cross-cultural perspective and a non-pathologizing stance to honor everyone’s unique family dynamics, cultural background, and life circumstances. I am bilingual in English and Mandarin. I offer secure telehealth appointments, providing flexibility for those balancing full schedules and dynamic family lives.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I found it is crucial to build a network of people who share the same vision. My mentors, colleagues, and peers had been a tremendous support in my journey. I am deeply grateful for the guidance and encouragement I received through these connections.
I also found tending to my home garden and being outdoors in the stunning nature of San Diego to be incredibly restorative for mental and physical health. I encourage everyone to discovery the green spaces in their community and explore hobbies that replenish them as they follow their passion.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sunwardpsychiatry.com/
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/psychiatrists/weei-loallen-san-diego-ca/1184484
