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 957 licensed providers offering virtual and in-person sessions. With 70+ insurance plans accepted, many patients pay as low as $0 per session.
I'm Sinat Aleje, a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over ten years of experience in the mental health field. I’ve had the privilege of working with individuals across a variety of clinical settings, which has deepened my understanding of the emotional, psychological, and social challenges people face. I specialize in treating adults and adolescents with anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder.
Clients often tell me they feel truly seen and heard during our sessions. I strive to create a safe and supportive space where healing can begin, and where clients are empowered to take an active role in their care. I hold a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and am committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based care that evolves with your journey.
If you're looking for a thoughtful, collaborative partner in your mental health care, I’d be honored to work with you.
Hello! I provide psychiatric evaluations and medication management for children (6+), teens, adults, and seniors. Life can feel overwhelming when anxiety, depression, ADHD, or bipolar mood swings affect your energy, focus, relationships, and daily life. I believe mental health care should feel supportive, comfortable, and personalized. As a board-certified PMHNP with over five years of experience, I help individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and other mental health concerns.
I’m here to make this journey feel gentle, welcoming, and human. I keep things clear and simple so you can focus on what matters, not the overwhelm. My style is warm, encouraging, and a little poetic—because softness helps us breathe. Let’s take this step together, one calm moment at a time.
I have a bachelor's degree in human services, master's degree in nursing, and am currently licensed as a Psychiatric NP at a psychiatric urgent care, psychiatric inpatient, and psychiatric nursing home. I had been working in mental health field with various roles from crisis mental health coach, psychiatric residential RN, psychiatric emergency and urgent care RN. A majority of my patients have disorder of depression, anxiety, insomnia, bipolar, trauma, and psychosis.
Hello, my name is Alexander Valenzuela PMHNP. I specialize in psychiatric medication management and cognitive behavioral talk therapy. If you're struggling with your mental health and realize you want help, you don't have to do it alone. I am looking forward to starting the journey with you to help achieve your best self.
Hello, my name is Sherri Crespin, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner passionate about providing integrated care for complex mental health challenges, including personality disorders, PTSD and trauma, substance use disorders, ADHD, depression, anxiety, panic disorders, mood disorders, and bipolar conditions. My practice recognizes these conditions are interconnected in ways requiring specialized understanding.
I chose these specializations because I understand how trauma influences personality development, how ADHD complicates substance use recovery, how symptoms emerge during extreme stress, and how these complex interactions require providers who see the complete picture. Whether you're in recovery while managing other conditions, dealing with personality patterns that developed as survival mechanisms, or navigating multiple diagnoses, I bring the expertise needed for comprehensive care.
My approach emphasizes evidence-based treatments and the healing power of being truly understood. I recognize that seeking help for stigmatized conditions like personality disorders takes tremendous courage, especially after negative experiences with providers. I create a therapeutic space where you can explore your experiences without judgment or shame.
You can expect a thorough assessment, personalized treatment planning, and consistent support throughout our work together. My goal is to help you build resilience, develop effective coping strategies, and thrive in your daily life.
IMPORTANT: For current availability, visit https://mentalhealthpractitioners.com/ or call or text us anytime at 415-968-6515—we make it super easy! Intake forms are required before your first appointment. You can text us your info or email us at [email protected]. Please send us a picture of your insurance information and photo ID!
Pleasure to meet you! My name is Iffy, and I was born and raised in Nigeria. After working in a Psych ER for over 22 years, I decided it was time to be able to treat my own patients. I went back to school and graduated from Brandman University in 2019 with my nurse practitioner degree. Four years later, I love what I do and the patients I treat. I truly believe that with the right work, tomorrow is always capable of bringing you a smile.
Mental health has long been treated as the forgotten side of healthcare — and for me, that's exactly why it matters so much. As a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner serving clients across California through telehealth and in-person care, I specialize in helping people navigate depression, anxiety, and ADD/ADHD. I believe that when mental health struggles go unaddressed, everything else in life suffers — and that healing is not only possible, it's necessary. When I'm not supporting my clients, you'll find me out in nature, getting lost in a good movie, or discovering new music — small reminders of the joy and balance I encourage my clients to find for themselves.
About our psychiatrists serving San Mateo, CA



- 99%Anxiety
- 99%Depression
- 86%Bipolar disorder
- 86%PTSD
- 86%ADD/ADHD

- 99%Aetna
- 95%Cigna
- 89%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 85%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 59%United Healthcare

- 98%English
- 9%Spanish
- 4%Tagalog
- 4%Igbo
- 3%Hindi

- 89%Online only
- 10%In-person or online

- 72%Woman
- 28%Man

- 90%Nurse Practitioner
- 9%Medical Doctor
- 1%Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

- 96%Individual therapy
- 17%Family therapy
- 7%Child or adolescent therapy
- 6%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 Psychiatrist in San Mateo, CA
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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