Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Garden Grove, CA

Hi, I’m Vimal Patel, a Board-Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over 10 years of experience in healthcare. I earned my Master of Science in Nursing and have a background in both psychiatric and intensive care nursing. I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders using a combination of medication management and supportive therapy. My approach is compassionate, culturally sensitive, and centered around your unique needs and goals. I'm here to help you feel heard, supported, and empowered on your mental health journey.

Life is Difficult! Many obstacles and challenges! I've been practicing 25+ years assisting adults (of all ages) and teens (15+) with major life changes, mild/moderate depression, anxiety, relationship/attachment issues, sobriety and its relation to mental health. I also work with high functioning career/work choices - helping students/adult-professionals find Purpose-Vision, and Ambition in their career (Life/Career-Coaching). I employ talk therapy to alleviate symptoms, elevate mood, increase self-awareness and existing strengths. I also help people in recovery to alleviate 'Character Defects' that continue on in sobriety.

Your goals are most important to me, but I do recommend goals when needed. I accept you just as you are. I will work together with you to achieve an improved quality of life. I have over 30 years experience working in mental health counseling, and 10 1/2 years as a licensed provider. In that time, I have learned to use a variety of modalities. I tailor the type of therapy to my client and to his/her needs, so I might introduce more than one type during our work together. The issues I work with most include depression, anxiety, and trauma, I am also certified in addiction recovery, and neurodivergent issues.

Since 2010, I have worked with children to older adults from many different backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles and careers. Before dedicating my life to psychology, I worked in medicine and multiple other professions. Along with my California Doctoral education, I was also educated in England, Austria, France, Switzerland and New Zealand. I am originally from Wisconsin.

I specialize in working with adults experiencing burnout, chronic stress/anxiety, trauma, and neurodivergence. As a neurodivergent therapist who has navigated my own experiences with burnout, I understand how exhausting it can be to constantly feel "on" for everyone else. I’m especially passionate about supporting helping professionals, caregivers, and high-achieving folks who spend so much energy caring for others that they forget to care for themselves. I also bring my full personality into the therapy room (including humor, authenticity, and the occasional slightly twisted joke) when the moment calls for it.

Since I was a just a small child I held deep empathy and curiosity for other human beings. Ultimately, this lead me to obtain my MSW with a concentration in mental health and sub-concentration in school social work. Along the way, I have worked in many different community-based settings (mobile crisis, K-12 schools, outpatient behavioral health, drop-in centers, residential settings, and complex trauma treatment centers) serving folks from across the lifespan, witnessing so much growth and resilience along the way. I am particularly well-equipped to support children, teens, young adults, and parents.

Finding the right mental health provider is an important step toward healing, and I strive to create a welcoming, supportive environment where every patient feels heard, respected, and understood. As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC), I provide compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to each individual's unique needs and goals.

I have experience caring for patients in both outpatient and correctional mental health settings, treating individuals with a wide range of psychiatric conditions across diverse populations. In my outpatient practice, I work with adolescents and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, postpartum depression, and other mental health concerns. My background in correctional psychiatry has provided valuable experience working with individuals facing acute psychiatric symptoms, substance withdrawal, crisis situations, and complex mental health needs.

I have been in the psychology field for over 20 years. I have an extensive background treating public safety, military, hospital personnel and there families for trauma, work related stressors and family issues. I have treated people who have survived trauma and I am also a trauma survivor. I have worked substance abuse treatment facilities and both inpatient and out patient psychiatric hospitals treating moderate to severe mental heath problems.

I am experienced in conducting diagnostic testing evaluations, fitness for work and pre-employment evaluations. I am a court recognized expert in a few different areas.

Due to my time practicing and vast experience nothing suprises me. I have seen, heard or dealt with most things in the this field. You cannot put a price tag on experience. I have also lived life and have experienced many things myself that clients come into my office wanting help with. I don't know about you but I like getting help from those that have treated the issues in the past or have gone through it themselves versus those that have read about it in books.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, specialized in mental health and women's issues. I use Expressive Arts and EMDR strategies to address trauma and anxiety. I am directive and supportive.