Dialectical Behavior (DBT) Psychiatrists in San Jose, CA

My treatment philosophy is to get to know each person as a whole. I want to get to know you, your story, and what matters to you. If needed, I will help you tell your story. I approach the therapeutic relationship as a partnership built on trust and communication with you in the driver’s seat. The better you can help me understand your world, the better I can pull from the resources available to me to share with you. You will understand what is going on with you or your child and be active participants in this journey. I enjoy working with parents/caregivers and families and believe it is essential to a child’s treatment & recovery.

I was born and raised in South Florida and went on to complete medical school and training in Miami, FL. I developed a passion for working with families early in medical training. I have trained in a variety of settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and emergency/crisis services. I also have training in DBT and have worked with college students at the University of Miami undergraduate campus.

My psychiatry practice is focused on you and how you can best achieve your goals, whether that is medication, psychotherapy, lifestyle changes, or a combination of all three. Let's work together to help you get 'unstuck'. As a psychiatrist I am comfortable with prescribing medications as well as therapy. The first half of my residency training was in the Family Medicine Dept. at the University of Iowa, and the second was in Psychiatry at the University of South Alabama, where I am an Adjunct Professor. Psychiatry was the natural choice because I enjoy having the time to listen and understand in order to personalize recommendations.

If you're feeling sad or anxious or struggling with relationship conflicts or habits that negatively impact your life, I'm here to help. With my therapeutic approach, you can expect to feel completely heard, understood, and empowered towards positive change. Together, we'll work on developing practical tools and gaining new perspectives to help you grow and improve your overall sense of well-being and purpose. In my practice, I use a holistic approach to better understand you and address your unique needs. I'm also trained to diagnose psychiatric disorders and utilize medication therapy when necessary.

I am a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Adult Psychiatrist with over 19 years of service to children, families and adults. I use a strength based approach to healing focused on developing self-awareness through compassion. As part of the healing process, I support families in their journey to uncover the wisdom hidden in their distress. ​ I have experience in treating depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, Autism Spectrum disorders and PTSD. ​ I specialize in Mind Body approaches to healing, integrating movement, exercise, nutrition and restful sleep strategies into treatment plans.

Bay Area Clinical Associates (BACA) is a physician-owned and operated organization committed to providing integrated, scientific, empathetic mental health treatment for kids, teens, young adults and their families. As a note, we serve only ages 26 years and under. BACA is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of child & adolescent psychiatrists, licensed marriage & family therapists, and licensed clinical social workers. We work to take the "mystery" out of psychiatric care and have a relaxed, fun, caring environment at our clinics. Our Berkeley outpatient clinic is currently impacted but we have openings for our IOPs.

My approach is based on integrative psychiatry, which uses medications, therapy and complementary medicine to treat the whole person, not just the symptoms. I address the combined impact of sleep, lifestyle, relationships, nutrition and chronic medical conditions on well-being, and use cutting edge tools like genetic testing to guide personalized treatment with medication and supplements. I consider the patient’s cultural background in my assessments and I can provide treatment in Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian. My goal is to help my patients create lasting changes and build vitality, resilience and purpose in life.

During college, I developed an interest in psychology and neuroscience. After college, I became a middle school teacher, and found my passion in working with children and families. I believe in a holistic approach to mental health that encompasses physical health and psychological health. I work with patients and families in a collaborative manner, setting shared treatment goals, and believe that patients often hold the key to moving forward towards these goals.

My working philosophy is simple, the patient comes first. That said, my approach to medicine is personalized, cordial, with a collaborative relationship and a touch of professional know how. My experience encompasses child, community, veteran and county mental health clinics. I also provide coverage for crisis houses, inpatient units, psychiatric emergency rooms and detention centers. I am a military veteran, UCLA alumni and Clinical Assistant Professor at University of California, Riverside. Call today for a free phone consultation for medication management of opiate addiction, manic, depressive, anxiety, psychotic and cognitive disorders.

"Somethings's GOT to give. I can't take this any more! No one understands. My spouse? No way. The last doctor said "more meds" and spent as much time with the computer as he did with me! My teenager is sad and going no where fast. I think the younger one might have some kind of Asperger's, ADD,OCD,ODD,PSTD or some alphabet soup salad that I'm just supposed to deal with. The counselors out there are just too young to understand what I'm going through. Certainly life wasn't meant to be like this."

Your mental and physical well being is primordial to us. The mind and body are interconnected, and there is a great overlap between physical and mental health conditions. Mental healthcare includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. By exploring multiple treatment modalities with our clients, we strive to provide the most all-encompassing care to ensure the best outcomes for our clients. We promise to be there for you every step of your wellness journey. Our goal is to help you grow from your struggles, heal from your pain and assist you in creating a meaningful life.

My approach is based on integrative psychiatry, which uses medications, therapy and complementary medicine to treat the whole person, not just the symptoms. I address the combined impact of sleep, lifestyle, relationships, nutrition and chronic medical conditions on well-being, and use cutting edge tools like genetic testing to guide personalized treatment with medication and supplements. I consider the patient’s cultural background in my assessments and I can provide treatment in Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian. My goal is to help my patients create lasting changes and build vitality, resilience and purpose in life.

Do you feel overwhelmed by life, struggling with depression, anxiety, or ADHD? If emotional challenges, mood disorders, substance use, or weight management challenges are affecting your daily life, I'm here to help. I create a safe, supportive environment for those missing deadlines, withdrawing socially, or using substances to cope. Specializing in building strong therapeutic rapport, my approach integrates evidence-based practices with a client-centered philosophy, aiming for comprehensive well-being. I'm committed to empowering individuals of all ages to overcome mental health challenges and promote lasting, positive change.

I realize that most of us could use support, particularly during times of overwhelming challenges within our personal and professional lives. Our lives are complex and come with significant obligations and expectations from our families, friends, and ourselves. If the challenges become overwhelming, we may start to doubt our abilities to manage our affairs and interactions with others. If stress, doubt, and dissatisfaction remain unaddressed, thoughts and feelings may evolve into an unhealthy view of ourselves and our environment, understanding we need help.

We provide Child and Adult Psychiatry, Therapy and Substance abuse via video for clients across California. Our Board Certified Psychiatrists and Therapists are available to help everyday and we can offer same day appointments. Telepsychiatry or Telemedicine uses video link (via computer or smartphone) to offer appointments from home or outside clinic. It offers the option to see a psychiatrist from home. Please use our website or below link to make an appointment. https://piedmontbs.com/telepsychiatry/

Seeking help for your mental health is a big step and I consider it an honor to help guide you in this process. I aim to utilize evidence-based practice in combination with an understanding of your unique history. I pride myself on being a conscientious prescriber and am knowledgeable about alternative treatment options. I prioritize creating a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space.

Are you frustrated with clinicians not calling you back or whose costs are prohibitive? Have you been wondering if medications may be an appropriate treatment for your persistent mental health symptoms? I will listen carefully and patiently to you and reflect not only your concerns, but also the strengths and motivations you bring to improving your mental health. I will work “with” you to develop a holistic assessment of your needs, suggest evidence-based treatments, and explain how these address the goals we establish collaboratively.