Find a psychiatrist in Santa Cruz, CA — covered by insurance
Top psychiatrists in Santa Cruz, CA accepting new patients
Headway serves Santa Cruz across all neighborhoods, connecting you with 959 warm and solution-oriented providers. Get started with a free intake call, find availability as soon as tomorrow, and benefit from insurance coverage that can reduce your session costs significantly.
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.
Hi, I’m May, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and I’m here to help you feel like yourself again. I work with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, and feeling overwhelmed. I provide medication management along with tools to support better mood, sleep, focus, and daily functioning. I take time to listen and understand your experience so we can create a plan that fits your needs. With a background in both mental health and special education, I bring patience, empathy, and a commitment to meeting you where you are. If you’re ready for support, I’d be honored to work with you.
It is my prayer to build a practice that helps you reach a place where your mental health is truly at the forefront. My hope is that with each appointment—and each day—you feel supported in moving closer to the best version of yourself.
Hi, I’m a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I offer a supportive and judgment-free space to help you manage anxiety, depression, ADHD, eating disorders, and mood disorders. I work with children, adolescents, and adults using evidence-based care that’s tailored to your needs. My goal is to help you feel seen, heard, and empowered within the family. Let’s walk this journey together, one step at a time.
I am a board certified, doctoral prepared PMHNP. I completed my post graduate at National University in Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I earned my DNP from Azusa Pacific University and graduated from CSUSB MSN program. I have been a faculty at CSUSB since 2014. Extensively trained and a certified Trauma-Informed specialist. I diagnose and treat mental disorders including medication-assisted treatment along with counseling for chemical dependency and substance use disorders.
I’m Linh Tran, a psychiatric nurse practitioner with over 10 years in healthcare and 5 years in advanced practice. I hold both a Master’s and Doctor of Nursing Practice from Columbia University. My work focuses on anxiety, ADHD, depression, trauma, and eating disorders. I’m especially passionate about supporting adolescents, adults, and those navigating the immigrant or bicultural experience.
About our psychiatrists serving Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz, CA
Finding psychiatrists in Santa Cruz starts with knowing what type of care fits your needs. Psychiatrists and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication, and manage psychiatric care. Therapists provide talk therapy and related support. Both can be helpful entry points depending on what you are looking for. If you are seeking care for anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, OCD, or medication management, look for a psychiatrist whose listed specialties and training match your needs.
Santa Cruz is a smaller city, so local psychiatry options may be more limited than in larger California markets. Virtual appointments can expand your options while still letting you choose someone licensed to provide care in California. Psychiatry visits for medication management are usually shorter and less frequent than therapy sessions, and some psychiatrists also offer therapy. Some people work with both a therapist and a prescriber. As you compare options, review appointment availability, whether the psychiatrist is accepting new patients, and each bio’s description of care style, session structure, and areas of focus.
Psychiatric care in Santa Cruz 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 find psychiatrists who match your preferences and accept your insurance, then shows your estimated out-of-pocket cost before you book. Every provider listed is accepting new patients, so you can review bios, compare availability, and book directly when you are ready.
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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