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Dr. Kai MacDonald, MD

Concierge Psychiatry, San Diego, CA

5.0 (7 reviews)

Kai MacDonald, MD, is a board-certified addiction psychiatrist offering concierge psychiatric care at his San Diego, CA practice.

3368 2nd Avenue, Suite B, San Diego, CA 92103
At a glance
Board certified
Family practice
Licensed in
CA

Facts on this page last checked September 2026. How we check doctors

About Dr. MacDonald

Dr. MacDonald trained in both psychiatry and family practice and is a board-certified Addiction Psychiatrist. He served as assistant director of the consult-liaison psychiatry service at UCSD and as medical director of an outpatient substance abuse program, and has extensive training in short-term dynamic therapy.

He was principal investigator on a UCSD Medical Center trial studying intranasal oxytocin in opiate dependence, and was an investigator in dozens of clinical research trials at UC San Diego in adult ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and anxiety. He held an academic appointment as assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at UC San Diego.

He received teaching awards from psychiatric residents in 2008 and 2010, and San Diego Magazine named him to its "Top Doctors" list, 2009-2013, based on a physician-peer survey.

I believe that a healthy, caring relationship with a doctor that knows you-as a person-is the most important aspect of care.
Dr. Kai MacDonald

Membership and fees

Fees are not published. Ask the practice.

Services

Patients with ketamine
What psychiatry doctors commonly treat

Education and credentials

Education
Received training in both Psychiatry and Family Practice
Education
Graduated from the University of Minnesota medical school
Training
Has trained in EMDR, ISTDP (intensive short-term dynamic therapy), and AEDP (accelerated experiential dynamic psychotherapy) psychotherapy modalities
Board certified
Is a board certified Addiction Psychiatrist
Board certified
In the past was board-certified in family practice, in addition to his current psychiatric credentials
Membership
Holds professional society affiliations as a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, a member of the American Medical Association, a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry/Neurology, and a member of the San Diego Psychiatric Society, the Society for Neuroscience, and the Society of Biological Psychiatry
License
California A68041 Verify with the Medical Board of California
NPI
1770508194

Location

3368 2nd Avenue, Suite B, San Diego, CA 92103
Directions

Recognition and research

Awards

Teaching awards
Psychiatric residents in 2008 and 2010
Teaching award
UCSD medical students in 2008
Voted by his peers as one of San Diego Magazine's "Top Doctors" for 2009-2013.

Publications

Has authored or co-authored peer-reviewed scientific publications from 1998 to 2017, including papers in journals such as Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, PLoS ONE, and Biological Psychiatry, on topics including cannabis risk, childhood trauma, and physician boundary violations.

Teaching and research roles

Assistant director of the consult-liaison psychiatry service
UCSD
Served as medical director of an outpatient substance abuse program.
Participated as an investigator in dozens of clinical research trials at UC San Diego in adult ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and anxiety.
Served as principal investigator of the UCSD Oxytocin Clinical Research Program.
Co-designed and serves as a faculty member of a nationally recognized program that teaches physicians in practice about healthy relationships in health care.
Has acted as a teaching physician on consult-liaison (inpatient hospital psychiatry), emergency room, and inpatient psychiatric units, and has been voted a top teacher by residents.
Designed and teaches a quarterly remediation course for practicing physicians referred for boundary violations; the course has been recognized as a national gold-standard by the medical board.
Was involved in the inception of Transformance: The AEDP Journal and serves as its ongoing neuroscience consultant.

Patient reviews

5.0
7 reviews
5 star7
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Write a review
Rated 5 out of 5

"Takes the time to offer thorough answers to each question."

FMDD UserMay 2024
Rated 5 out of 5

"Always shows patience while answering questions."

FMDD UserApr 2024
Rated 5 out of 5

He always wants the best for me

"I have been a regular patient of Dr. Mac for a while now. I always value what he says to me and trusts him that he only wants the best for me."

FMDD UserFeb 2022
Rated 5 out of 5

Excellent psychiatrist

"The first time I met Dr. MacDonalad, I was an absolute wreck. He helped me pull my self together."

FMDD UserFeb 2022
Rated 5 out of 5

He is very prompt to return calls

"He is very considerate and caring and very prompt to return calls. I highly recommend him."

FMDD UserJan 2022

Questions patients ask

Is Dr. MacDonald board certified?

Yes. Dr. MacDonald is board certified in family practice, in addition to his current psychiatric credentials.

Where did Dr. MacDonald train?

Dr. MacDonald received training in both Psychiatry and Family Practice. Dr. MacDonald graduated from the University of Minnesota medical school.

Where is Dr. MacDonald licensed?

Dr. MacDonald holds a license in California.

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