Academic and Clinical Leadership
Dr. Jeff Sugar’s career reflects over three decades of academic teaching, clinical leadership, and mentorship in psychiatry. His work at leading medical schools and hospitals has combined direct patient care with training the next generation of psychiatrists.
Academic Appointments
- Adjunct Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (2021–present)
- Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (2005–2021)
- Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry, UCLA (1990–2005)
Honors and Distinctions
- Distinguished Life Fellow, American Psychiatric Association (2017)
- Distinguished Fellow, American Psychiatric Association (2013)
- Outstanding Mentor Award, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (2010)
- Faculty of the Year, USC Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Program (2007, 2013, 2016, 2019)
- Research Fellow, International Psychoanalytical Association (2018)
- Chief Fellow in Child Psychiatry, UCLA (1988–1989)
Board Certifications and Licensure
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology – Psychiatry (1991)
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology – Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (1991)
- California Medical License (G-56352, active)
Clinical Leadership Roles
- Director, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Trauma Program, USC (2006–2021)
- Chief, Child & Adolescent Crisis, Emergency, and Consultation Service, USC (2006–2013)
- Ward Chief, Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatry, USC (2005–2006; 2013–2015)
- Attending Psychiatrist, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic, USC (2015–2021)
- Attending Psychiatrist, Adult Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic, USC (2015–2018)
- Senior Consulting Psychiatrist, Children’s Institute, Los Angeles (2013–2015)
- Chief of Child Inpatient Unit, Kedren Hospital and Community Treatment Center (2004–2005)
- Chief of Psychiatry, Hathaway Children & Family Services (1989–1991)
- Director of Research, Hathaway Children’s Clinical Research Institute (1999–2004)
Teaching and Mentorship
Dr. Sugar has taught at both USC and UCLA, supervising medical students, psychiatry residents, fellows, and trainees in social work, psychology, and counseling.
Highlights include:
- Developed USC’s Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Trauma Program through a SAMHSA grant (2005)
- Taught Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to USC trainees since 2006
- Directed psychotherapy and statistics courses emphasizing critical thinking in psychiatry
- Led regular clinical case conferences with pediatric and psychiatry trainees
- Trained residents to distinguish trauma from psychosis in inpatient settings, and introduced Expressive Arts Therapy for adolescent trauma groups
- Developed a child psychiatry fellowship training program at Hathaway Children’s Village (1992), which continued for nearly 20 years
Professional Society Leadership
- President, Southern California Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (1999)
- Executive Committee Member (1994–2000)
- Regional Representative, Southern California Psychiatric Society (1995–1999)
- Delegate, AACAP Assembly of Regional Councils (1997–1998)
- Active member: American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies, Forensic Expert Witness Association
Through his academic posts at USC and UCLA, leadership of child and adolescent psychiatry programs, and mentorship of hundreds of trainees, Dr. Sugar has helped shape the practice of psychiatry across clinical, academic, and forensic domains. His contributions demonstrate a consistent commitment to evidence-based teaching, clinical responsibility, and advancing psychiatric education.