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Best Psychiatrists in Escondido

Written by Andrew Le, MD

Updated November 14, 2024

Introduction to Psychiatry in Escondido

Overview of mental health services in the area

Escondido, California, offers a diverse range of mental health services, including a notable presence of psychiatric care providers.

The city hosts numerous qualified psychiatrists, reflecting its commitment to addressing the mental health needs of its residents.

From the data provided, we can see that Escondido has psychiatrists specializing in various areas such as general psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, and addiction psychiatry.

Importance of seeking professional psychiatric care

Professional psychiatric care plays a significant role in maintaining and improving mental health.

Seeking help from a qualified psychiatrist can lead to proper diagnosis and effective treatment of mental health conditions.

Early intervention and ongoing care can significantly improve quality of life and overall well-being.

Brief explanation of what psychiatrists do

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health, including substance use disorders.

They are qualified to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological issues.

Psychiatrists can provide a range of treatments, including prescription of medications, psychotherapy, and other interventions.


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List of Psychiatrists in Escondido

Gene Vasconez

Gene Vasconez

5.0

Escondido, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English, Spanish

English

Spanish

Psychiatry

Anxiety Disorders

Addiction Psychiatry

Volker Nabavi

Volker Nabavi

5.0

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Persian

English

Persian

Psychiatry

Anxiety Disorders

Addiction Psychiatry

Ann Irorere

Ann Irorere

5.0

Escondido, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

English

Psychiatry

Anxiety Disorders

Addiction Psychiatry

SP

Dr. Suesan Pedersen

5.0

Escondido, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

English

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Psychiatry

ZM

Dr. Zoe Martinez

5.0

Escondido, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

University of California at San Diego (Medical School, 2001)

English

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Psychiatry

AP

Dr. Alejandra Postlethwaite

5.0

Escondido, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Autonomous University of Guadalajara School of Medicine (Medical School, 1999)

English

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Psychiatry

DP

Dr. Daksha Patel

5.0

Escondido, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(301) 733-0330

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Saba University School of Medicine (Medical School, 1998)

English

Psychiatry

NF

Dr. Nicholas Frost

5.0

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(760) 274-2094

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN / MADISON (Medical School, 1967)

English

Psychiatry

AB

Dr. Adam Borecky

5.0

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(949) 768-2988

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Loma Linda University (Medical School)

English

Psychiatry

ML

Dr. Meg Lawrence

5.0

Escondido, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Baylor University (Medical School, 1983)

English

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Psychiatry

VD

Dr. Victor Doroski

5.0

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(760) 471-4073

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

University of California at Berkeley (Medical School, 1973)

English

Psychiatry

MN

Dr. Michael Newhouse

4.7

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(760) 743-1205

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN / MEDICAL CENTER (Medical School, 1967)

English

Psychiatry

JK

Dr. Jason Keri

4.2

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(619) 299-4374

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Northeast Ohio Medical University (Medical School, 2001)

English

Psychiatry

SW

Dr. Shayna Walker

4.0

Escondido, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(760) 736-8689

American Board of Family Medicine

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Medical School, 2007)

English

Family Medicine

Psychiatry

Dr. Anil Patel

Dr. Anil Patel

3.7

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA / COLLEGE OF EDUCATION (Medical School)

English

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Psychiatry

Dr. Mohammed Ahmed

Dr. Mohammed Ahmed

3.6

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Hindi

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

UC San Diego (Fellowship Hospital, 2014)

Wake Forest University Baptist Health In Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Residency Hospital, 2013)

Wake Forest University (Fellowship Hospital, 2009)

Karnataka University In India (Medical School, 1999)

English

Hindi

Neurology

Geriatric Medicine

Psychiatry

Neurorehabilitation

Cognitive Neuroscience

BS

Dr. Bassam Sinno

3.5

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Arabic

Phone

(760) 633-3139

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

SAINT JOSEPH'S UNIVERSITY / FACULTY OF MEDICINE (Medical School, 1975)

English

Arabic

Psychiatry

MK

Dr. Martina Klein

3.4

Escondido, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(760) 940-5050

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

UC-Davis Medical Center (Residency Hospital, 1997)

George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences (Medical School, 1992)

UC Irvine (Undergraduate School, 1988)

English

Psychiatry

CK

Dr. Christopher Khoury

3.4

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(760) 743-1205

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Duke University (Medical School, 1975)

English

Psychiatry

ED

Dr. Eric Drimmer

3.4

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(760) 489-4930

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (Medical School, 1976)

English

Psychiatry

NE

Dr. Nicole Esposito

3.0

Escondido, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English, Spanish

American Board of Preventive Medicine

American Board of Family Medicine

UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI / MEDICAL CENTER (Medical School, 2003)

English

Spanish

Family Medicine

Psychiatry

Addiction Medicine

JB

Dr. Jennifer Brewer

3.0

Escondido, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

American Board of Family Medicine

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN / MEDICAL CENTER (Medical School, 2011)

English

Family Medicine

Psychiatry

DL

Dr. Dorothy Liu-Barbaro

3.0

Escondido, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

American Board of Family Medicine

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

English

Family Medicine

Psychiatry

RM

Dr. Robert McAuley

3.0

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(619) 299-1419

American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Letterman Army Medical Center (Residency Hospital)

Walter Reed Army Medical Center (Residency Hospital)

Baylor Hospital (Internship Hospital)

University of Ca (Medical School, 1971)

English

Psychiatry

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

GC

Dr. Gabrielle Cerda

3.0

Escondido, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English, Spanish

Phone

(760) 747-3424

University of California at Berkeley (Medical School, 1991)

English

Spanish

Psychiatry

Dr. Stephen Signer

Dr. Stephen Signer

2.9

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English, French

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

McGill University Faculty of Medicine (Medical School)

UCLA/Neur (Fellowship Hospital, 1986)

University Toronto (Residency Hospital, 1984)

Jewish General Hospital (Internship Hospital, 1981)

English

French

Psychiatry

Psychosomatic Medicine

KK

Dr. Kenneth Khoury

2.8

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Chinese

Phone

(760) 743-1205

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

yale University (Medical School, 1970)

English

Chinese

Addiction Psychiatry

Psychiatry

RA

Dr. Robert Alessi

2.7

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(858) 638-8125

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

NY Hosp-Cornell University|Roosevelt Hosp-Columbia University (Residency Hospital, 1979)

Saint Vincent's Hospital (Internship Hospital, 1976)

Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine (Medical School, 1975)

English

Psychiatry

DO

Dr. Dennis Ordas

2.4

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Spanish

Phone

(760) 489-4930

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine (Medical School, 1991)

English

Spanish

Psychiatry

JB

Dr. Jerry Bobo

2.4

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(760) 480-2255

Wayne State University (Medical School, 1977)

English

Psychiatry

JL

Dr. Josefa Licas

1.6

Escondido, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English, Tagalog

Phone

(858) 279-1223

CEBU DOCTOR'S COLLEGE OF MEDICINE / FACULTY OF MEDICINE (Medical School, 1986)

English

Tagalog

Psychiatry

CS

Dr. Christian Small

1.0

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Preventive Medicine

American Board of Family Medicine

University of Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine (Medical School, 2010)

English

Family Medicine

Psychiatry

Addiction Medicine

DP

Dr. Dennis Buren Payne

1.0

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English, German

Phone

(442) 999-5977

American Board of Preventive Medicine

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

MEDICAL FACULTY OF THE GEORG AUGUST UNIVERSITY GOTTINGEN (Medical School, 1987)

English

German

Psychiatry

Addiction Medicine

GR

Dr. Gabriel Rodarte

N/A

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Preventive Medicine

American Board of Family Medicine

University of California at San Francisco (Medical School, 2002)

English

Family Medicine

Psychiatry

Addiction Medicine

WJ

Dr. Willard Connor Jr

N/A

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Spanish

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Indiana University School of Medicine (Medical School, 2005)

English

Spanish

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Psychiatry

HK

Dr. Henry Kane

N/A

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(619) 842-2442

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

English

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Psychiatry

KF

Dr. Katherine Fu

N/A

Escondido, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

English

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Psychiatry

AD

Dr. Amy Dewar

N/A

Escondido, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

University of California, Davis School of Medicine (Medical School, 2005)

English

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Psychiatry

MC

Dr. Mariana Compagnone

N/A

Escondido, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

English

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Psychiatry

SL

Dr. Simone Litsch

N/A

Escondido, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English, German

Phone

(760) 471-4073

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

University of Michigan / Ann Arbor (Fellowship Hospital, 2007)

Duke University Medical Center (Residency Hospital, 2006)

Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultat (Medical School, 2001)

English

German

Psychiatry

Sleep Medicine

JW

Dr. Julie Wilcox

N/A

Escondido, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(661) 868-6600

Loma Linda University (Medical School, 1995)

English

Psychiatry

GT

Dr. Garrick Tong

N/A

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Spanish

Phone

(619) 515-2300

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

ALBANY MEDICAL COLLEGE (Medical School, 2006)

English

Spanish

Psychiatry

MM

Dr. Mamta Modhwadia

N/A

Escondido, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(858) 218-3000

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Ross University School of Medicine (Medical School, 2005)

English

Psychiatry

TC

Dr. Tiffany Castillo

N/A

Escondido, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(760) 520-8340

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

English

Psychiatry

ST

Dr. Sirpa Tavakoli

N/A

Escondido, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English, Finnish, Swedish

Phone

(619) 299-1419

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

The University of Oklahoma Tulsa College of Medicine (Residency Hospital)

The Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden (Medical School)

English

Finnish

Swedish

Psychiatry

BK

Dr. Bianca Karris

N/A

Escondido, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(855) 629-7272

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

English

Psychiatry

CS

Dr. Calvin Stone

N/A

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(801) 590-9557

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (Medical School, 2016)

English

Psychiatry

DO

Dr. David Oliver

N/A

Escondido, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(619) 532-5761

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Naval Medical Center San Diego (Residency Hospital)

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY / SACRAMENTO / COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (Medical School, 1999)

English

Psychiatry

Selecting a Psychiatrist in Escondido

Factors to consider when choosing a psychiatrist

Credentials and board certifications

  • Review the psychiatrist's educational background
  • Check for board certification by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology
  • Consider additional certifications in relevant subspecialties

Experience and specializations

  • Look for psychiatrists with experience in treating your specific concerns
  • Consider specialists in areas such as anxiety disorders or addiction psychiatry
  • Evaluate the number of years in practice

Patient reviews and ratings

  • Examine star ratings and review counts on reputable healthcare websites
  • Read patient testimonials to gauge overall satisfaction
  • Consider the consistency of positive feedback across multiple sources

Language and communication

  • Choose a psychiatrist who speaks your preferred language
  • Consider multilingual options for more comprehensive care
  • Ensure clear communication is possible for effective treatment

Resources for finding psychiatrists in Escondido

Online directories and review sites

  • Utilize platforms like Healthgrades for detailed provider information
  • Compare psychiatrists using standardized rating systems
  • Access links to individual psychiatrist profiles for more information

Professional associations and local mental health organizations

  • Consult the San Diego Psychiatric Society for local recommendations
  • Reach out to community mental health centers for referrals
  • Explore resources provided by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) San Diego chapter

Insurance provider networks

  • Check with your insurance company for in-network psychiatrists
  • Understand coverage options for mental health services
  • Consider out-of-network providers if necessary, weighing costs and benefits

Top-Rated Psychiatrists in Escondido

Dr. Volker Nabavi

Specializations and Languages

  • Psychiatry, Anxiety Disorders, Addiction Psychiatry
  • Languages: English, Persian

Ratings and Reviews

  • Star rating: 5.0 out of 5
  • Number of reviews: 2

Dr. Adam Borecky

Education and Certification

  • Education: Loma Linda University
  • Board Certification: American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Ratings and Contact Information

  • Star rating: 5.0 out of 5
  • Number of reviews: 3
  • Phone: (949) 768-2988

Dr. Daksha Patel

Education and Certification

  • Education: Saba University School of Medicine
  • Board Certification: American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Ratings and Reviews

  • Star rating: 5.0 out of 5
  • Number of reviews: 7

Dr. Victor Doroski

Education and Experience

  • Education: University of California at Berkeley
  • Graduation year: 1973

Ratings and Contact Information

  • Star rating: 5.0 out of 5
  • Number of reviews: 3
  • Phone: (760) 471-4073

Dr. Michael Newhouse

Education and Certification

  • Education: University of Michigan Medical Center
  • Graduation year: 1967
  • Board Certification: American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Ratings and Contact Information

  • Star rating: 4.7 out of 5
  • Number of reviews: 3
  • Phone: (760) 743-1205

Additional Considerations When Choosing a Psychiatrist in Escondido

Subspecialties within Psychiatry

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

  • Several psychiatrists in Escondido specialize in treating children and adolescents
  • Dr. Suesan Pedersen and Dr. Zoe Martinez are board-certified in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Consider this specialization for younger patients or families seeking comprehensive care

Addiction Psychiatry

  • Escondido has psychiatrists with expertise in addiction treatment
  • Dr. Gene Vasconez and Dr. Ann Irorere list Addiction Psychiatry as one of their specialties
  • Important for patients dealing with substance abuse issues alongside mental health concerns

Geriatric Psychiatry

  • While not explicitly mentioned in the data, some psychiatrists may have experience with older adults
  • Consider asking about experience with age-specific issues when contacting practices

Language Considerations

Multilingual Options

  • Several psychiatrists in Escondido offer services in languages other than English
  • Dr. Gene Vasconez and Dr. Volker Nabavi speak Spanish and Persian respectively
  • Dr. Josefa Licas offers services in Tagalog
  • Consider language preferences when selecting a psychiatrist for optimal communication

Telehealth and Accessibility

Remote Consultation Options

  • While not explicitly stated in the data, many psychiatrists now offer telehealth services
  • Inquire about virtual appointment options when contacting psychiatric practices
  • Telehealth can improve access to care, especially for those with mobility issues or busy schedules

Insurance and Payment Considerations

Verifying Coverage

  • The provided data does not include insurance information for the listed psychiatrists
  • Contact the psychiatrist's office to verify accepted insurance plans
  • Discuss payment options and potential out-of-pocket costs before scheduling an appointment