Dr. Edward Kaufman, MD, MFA
Medical Director
Dr. Edward Kaufman is a nationally recognized psychiatrist, educator, and author with over 40 years of experience in the treatment of substance abuse and mental health disorders.
Known for his compassionate care and clinical innovation, Dr. Kaufman has received widespread acclaim for his work, including being named to the prestigious Best Doctors in America list for 2017-2018 and every review cycle for the past 13 years. This honor, audited and certified by Gallup, is based on peer recognition, with physicians nationwide nominating trusted colleagues they would choose for themselves or their loved ones.
Dr. Kaufman currently serves as Medical Director at Oceanfront Recovery, where he combines his expertise in psychiatry, psychology, family systems, and psychopharmacology to meet the unique needs of each client. His leadership at Oceanfront Recovery reflects his dedication to providing cutting-edge, evidence-based treatment and fostering a culture of holistic healing.
Throughout his remarkable career, Dr. Kaufman has held key roles in addiction psychiatry, including serving as President of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry and Editor of the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. His academic foundation is exceptional, with medical training from Jefferson University, USC, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University.
Dr. Kaufman is also a celebrated educator and scholar. He was a full professor of psychiatry at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), where he directed Psychiatric Services, Residency and Medical Student Education, and private alcohol and drug services. His academic contributions include authoring three books, editing five more, and publishing over 200 articles and book chapters on topics such as family therapy, addiction, anxiety, and depression.
His latest book, Tales of a Prison Psychiatrist: Fifty Years of Criminalization of the Mentally Ill and Addicted (published by Gray Matters Consultants), chronicles his decades of experience in the evolving landscape of mental health and addiction care. Blending human stories with evidence-based prevention and treatment programs, the book provides poignant case histories and actionable solutions for addressing the criminalization of mental illness and addiction.
Dr. Kaufman’s expertise and passion have made him a cornerstone of excellence at Oceanfront Recovery, which offers a variety of rehabilitation programs for drug and alcohol addiction. His enduring commitment to his clients and his field has solidified his legacy as a leader in behavioral healthcare, blending scientific rigor, clinical compassion, and innovative solutions to improve the lives of countless individuals.