DAVID LALA
PSYCHIATRY, MEDICINE, KETAMINE SPECIALIST
David Lala is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where he earned both his undergraduate degree and a Master of Public Health specializing in environmental health and toxicology. He later completed his Physician Assistant degree at Eastern Virginia Medical School in 2017. With a diverse background that spans environmental research, corporate leadership, and emergency medicine, David brings a unique and multifaceted perspective to psychiatric care.
David began his medical career in emergency medicine, working in both rural and urban settings. He was selected for his ER group’s prestigious Scholars Program, a leadership initiative recognizing clinical excellence and dedication to patient care. While he valued the challenges of emergency medicine, he sought a field that allowed for deeper patient engagement and shared medical decision-making. This led him to transition into primary care, urgent care, and psychiatry—where he could provide both immediate intervention and long-term, personalized treatment.
David has a strong passion for Ketamine Therapy, particularly in its applications for depression and pain management. His clinical interests also include developmental psychology and attachment theory, shaped by his own experiences growing up as a military child, as well as ADHD, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD.
David specializes in:
Ketamine Therapy for Depression & Pain Management
Anxiety Disorders
ADHD
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Developmental Psychology & Attachment Theory
Originally born in Alaska, David grew up across the country as an Air Force child but considers Texas home.
Outside of work, he enjoys hiking and cycling—especially in national parks—along with cooking, making espresso, and playing piano.
David is committed to delivering thoughtful, patient-centered care and is excited to be part of Westlake Psychiatry’s growing Ketamine Therapy program, where he hopes to make a lasting impact on the lives of his patients.