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Director's Page - Stephen W. Mayberg, Ph.D.

Stephen W. Mayberg, Ph.D. Director,
California Department of Mental Health

"As a longtime advocate for the mental health system, I firmly believe that working together, the state and local government providers and our constituencies can meet the needs of adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances."

– Dr. Stephen W. Mayberg

Dr. Stephen W. Mayberg was appointed Director of the California Department of Mental Health in February 1993. Since his appointment, he has embarked on an ambitious agenda that includes a philosophical and directional shift from a state-based to a county-based system of service delivery, as envisioned by legislation passed in 1991, and a complete reorganization of the California Department of Mental Health to become more "user friendly" and accessible. He has served as a staunch advocate for interagency programming and planning and has worked with advocacy groups and stakeholders to design nationally recognized programs for the homeless as well as culturally competent and appropriate services that reflect the diversity of the state. A staunch believer in transparency and accountability, Dr. Mayberg has made performance outcomes a priority in every aspect of service delivery and provision of care.

Dr. Mayberg received his undergraduate degree from Yale University and received his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Minnesota. He completed his internship at the University of California, Davis, and has worked in the California mental health system since that time. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Director of the Yolo County Mental Health Program.

During his public service career, Dr. Mayberg has been responsible for most aspects of care in the mental health services arena, including supervision and administration of crisis service programs, outpatient services and children's services, and program design, implementation and monitoring. As a licensed psychologist, he has continued to provide clinical services throughout his professional career.

Dr. Mayberg is a nationally recognized expert on public mental health systems. He has held offices for many national, state, and local organizations, including serving terms as president for the California Mental Health Directors Association, the California Conference of Local Mental Health Directors and the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. He was appointed to the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health in 2002. He has received numerous state and national awards recognizing his achievements.