Find a psychiatrist in San Mateo, CA — covered by insurance


Top psychiatrists in San Mateo, CA accepting new patients
Find mental health support in San Mateo across neighborhoods like Downtown, Laurel Heights, and Hillside. Headway connects you with 1,089 licensed providers offering virtual and in-person sessions. With 70+ insurance plans accepted, many patients pay as low as $0 per session.
Welcome! I specialize in medication management (psychopharmacology) of depression, anxiety disorders, OCD and ADHD of adult patients. I graduated from the Stanford Psychiatry Residency Program in 2004 where I served as chief resident and have been in private practice since 2005. You may learn more about my practice at https://sfpsychiatrylaw.com. Please note that the first appointment is done in my office in Belmont. I talk to prospective clients on the phone before booking the inital intake appointment. I am not able to take all the patients who wish to schedule.
Dr. Cristina LaFarre
Psychiatric Mental Health NP
Virtual & in-person • 16 mi away • San Francisco, CA
Hello, I'm Mindy. I'm a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with 16 years of clinical experience. My path has included military service, community health work in rural Morocco, and care across many settings, from intensive care to hospice. These experiences shape how I show up: with warmth, curiosity, cultural humility, and respect for everyone's story. I treat the whole person, not just the diagnosis.
That means taking time to dig into your history, what has worked, what has not, and what you actually want from your care. Whether that is medication management or medication management with therapy, we figure it out together.
I work with adolescents, adults, and older adults navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, bipolar disorder, and life transitions including loss, chronic illness, major life changes, and times when you just cannot name what is wrong yet.
Hi, and welcome! I am Joy Nnebe, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I am thrilled you’re considering working with me.
I have 8 years of experience in psychiatric/mental health nursing, and I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, insomnia, trauma, and more, using approaches like CBT therapy and trauma-informed care. I aim to provide simple, non-judgmental, supportive, and personalized care to help you feel understood and empowered on your mental health journey.
My patients can expect me to be warm, empathetic, and genuinely interested in their story. I take time to understand not just current struggles, but also personal history and experiences that have shaped who they are. I believe that mental health is deeply connected to overall health, and treating psychiatric conditions can positively impact all areas of life. I work with all patients and conditions, and I always meet people where they are. If someone isn’t ready for medications, I fully support their choice and will be there to provide guidance, education, and care until the time feels right for them. Above all, I listen, I value each person’s perspective, and I aim to create a safe space where patients feel truly heard.
My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable, understood, and supported. I know that seeking help for your mental health can take courage, and I deeply respect each person’s journey. I take time to listen, collaborate, and find a treatment plan that fits your individual needs and lifestyle. I value open communication and believe that healing happens best when we work together as a team.
I know how heavy life can feel when you’re carrying pain, uncertainty, or self-doubt. But I believe, as a wise old wizard once said, “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of places, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” My role is to help you find that light again. I work with Gen Z and Millennial adults facing anxiety, depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and more. Through integrative, culturally responsive care, I combine evidence-based psychiatry with holistic strategies to help you feel heard, supported, and empowered to create a life that aligns with your true self.
I am Sharon Atwood, a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Adult Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of dedicated clinical experience. I hold active, unrestricted licenses in Florida, New York, California, and Idaho, and I specialize in serving adults aged 18 and older through both telehealth and outpatient settings.
My educational foundation reflects a lifelong commitment to excellence. I earned my Associate in Science and Diploma in Nursing before completing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology magna cum laude from Kean University. I then pursued my Master of Science in Nursing from Florida Atlantic University and a Post-Master's Certificate in Psychiatric-Mental Health from the University of Miami, both achieved summa cum laude. I maintain dual board certifications through ANCC and AANP, and I am a proud member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, and the California Association of Nurse Practitioners.
My clinical background spans diverse settings, including adult and geriatric primary care, inpatient psychiatry, crisis intervention, hospital consultation, assisted living environments, and outpatient psychiatric medication management. This breadth of experience equips me to confidently address a wide range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, OCD, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, sleep disturbances, and complex co-occurring presentations. I welcome individuals with treatment-resistant symptoms.
My approach is collaborative, evidence-based, and rooted in genuine partnership. I combine psychiatric medication management with integrative health practices, examining how sleep, nutrition, exercise, stress, and social connection shape your overall wellbeing. I believe that meaningful progress flourishes when expert care is paired with healthy lifestyle.
About our psychiatrists serving San Mateo, CA



- 99%Depression
- 99%Anxiety
- 87%ADD/ADHD
- 85%Bipolar disorder
- 85%PTSD

- 98%Aetna
- 96%Cigna
- 86%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 84%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 61%Curative

- 99%English
- 8%Spanish
- 4%Tagalog
- 4%Igbo
- 2%Hindi

- 91%Online only
- 9%In-person or online

- 73%Woman
- 27%Man

- 92%Nurse Practitioner
- 7%Medical Doctor
- 1%Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

- 96%Individual therapy
- 18%Family therapy
- 7%Child or adolescent therapy
- 7%Couples therapy
Frequently asked questions


Find the right psychiatrist for you
Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Therapist in San Mateo
Finding psychiatrists in San Mateo starts with knowing what type of mental health care fits your needs. Psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medication, while therapists focus on talk therapy. Some people look for psychiatric care for anxiety, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or medication management. Both therapy and psychiatry can be valid starting points, depending on the kind of support you want. Look for a psychiatrist whose listed specialties, training, and approach match what you want to address.
In a smaller city like San Mateo, local in-person appointment options may be more limited than in nearby larger markets, so virtual psychiatry can help expand your search. You may also want to consider whether a psychiatrist offers appointment times that fit your schedule, is accepting new patients, or provides a free phone consultation. Medication management appointments are often shorter and less frequent than therapy sessions, and some psychiatrists also offer therapy. Some people work with both a therapist and a prescriber. Reading bios before booking can help you understand each psychiatrist’s style, areas of focus, and what to expect in your first appointment.
Psychiatric care in San Mateo can be a significant expense without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs. Headway helps you search psychiatrists who are accepting new patients, enter your insurance details, and see estimated out-of-pocket costs before you book. You can compare virtual and in-person options, review bios, and book directly when you find a psychiatrist who matches your needs and accepts your plan.
If you're already taking psychiatric medication and considering switching providers, talk to your current prescriber before changing or stopping any medication — most psychiatric medications shouldn't be stopped abruptly. Anyone experiencing thoughts of self-harm or in acute crisis should call 988 or go to the nearest emergency department rather than wait for an outpatient appointment.
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