David Viscott

David Viscott (1938–1996) was an influential American psychiatrist, author, and media personality known for his candid approach to emotional well-being and personal growth. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Viscott earned his medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine and completed his psychiatric training at Stanford University School of Medicine. In 1968, he began his private practice in psychiatry and later moved to Los Angeles in 1979, where he became a professor of psychiatry at UCLA. He also founded the Viscott Center for Natural Therapy in Beverly Hills, Newport Beach, and Pasadena, California .

In 1980, Viscott pioneered the integration of psychiatry and media by launching his own full-time talk radio show on KABC, becoming one of the first psychiatrists to do so. His program featured live, unscreened calls, offering listeners immediate psychological counseling. This innovative approach was later expanded to television with his syndicated show, Getting in Touch with Dr. David Viscott, and the late-night program Night Talk with Dr. David Viscott on KNBC in Los Angeles .

Viscott authored several best-selling books, including The Making of a Psychiatrist, which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, and The Viscott Method. His work emphasized self-awareness, emotional honesty, and the importance of personal responsibility. Some of his notable quotes include:

"The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The work of life is to develop it. The meaning of life is to give your gift away" .

"To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides" .

"If you could get up the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed" .

These insights reflect his belief in the transformative power of self-expression and connection with others.