Medical Board Seeks to Revoke/Suspend License of Psychiatrist Edward Castner

March 11, 2019

On February 22, 2019, the Medical Board of California issued a Petition to Revoke Probation on Arcadia, California psychiatrist Edward Castner.

The probation order was based on Dr. Castner having pleaded guilty to DUI on August 7, 2017 based on a December 2016 incident in which Dr. Castner, attempting to leave the parking area of the apartment complex where he lives, struck a gate, backed up into a wall, struck several poles and rain gutters and nearly hit a neighbor and the neighbor’s vehicle. Police responding to the neighbor’s call about the incident performed field sobriety tests and breath tests which gave readings of .192 and .187, and he was arrested.

The Board’s document states that it placed Dr. Castner’s license on probation for five years, effective March 16, 2018. Terms of the probation included, among other things, obtaining an approved psychotherapist and regularly attending psychotherapy sessions; obtaining a clinical diagnostic evaluation (CDE) and complying with all restrictions and conditions recommended by the examiner conducting the CDE; submitting to biological fluid testing; and choosing and attending substance abuse support group meetings.

Dr. Castner did not comply with these terms of probation, thus the Board is seeking to revoke the probation order, which will likely preclude Dr. Castner from practicing.

Seventeen percent of physicians in Alcoholic Anonymous are psychiatrists, even though psychiatrists make up only 8% of the medical profession.

Source: All issued by Medical Board of California in the Matter of the Accusation Against Edward J. Castner, M.D., Physician's and Surgeon's Certification No. G12103, Case No. 800-2016-027737: Petition to Revoke Probation, February 21, 2019; Stipulated Settlement and Disciplinary Order, January 3, 2018; and First Amended Accusation, November 21, 2017.