Find a psychiatrist in Palo Alto, CA — covered by insurance

If you are struggling with depression, anxiety, stress, or life's emotional challenges, please know you don’t have to carry this weight alone. As a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, I am dedicated to helping you reclaim your life. My practice is built on a foundation of deep empathy and genuine care. I treat you as a whole person, not just a set of symptoms. Together, we will navigate your challenges using evidence-based treatments tailored to your unique story and goals. Your mental health journey deserves a safe space, and I am here to provide exactly that as we work toward your healing.

I am a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) who provides compassionate, evidence-based care for adults. My approach is clinical, trauma-informed, and whole-person; I look beyond symptoms alone and consider the many parts of life that shape mental health. I believe care should feel collaborative, supportive, and not overwhelming. My goal is to help you feel understood while creating a treatment plan that fits your life, values, and goals. Whether you are seeking medication management, in-office IV or IM ketamine treatment, or support through a difficult season, I want you to feel safe, respected, and empowered.

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 and will be emailed to you when you book online. You can text us your info or email us at [email protected]. Please be sure to send us a picture of your insurance information and photo ID!

Hi! I'm Christina Stelly, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC — a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner based in Martinez, CA. With over 15 years of clinical experience across inpatient psychiatry, maternal health, and advanced practice, I am deeply committed to delivering compassionate, evidence-based mental health care to every person I serve.

I specialize in treating schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD, depression, anxiety, etc.

My academic background includes a Post-Certificate DNP in Psychiatric Mental Health from the University of Illinois Chicago, a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Texas Tech University, and a Master of Science in Nursing from Touro University. I also completed an intensive NP residency focused on advanced psychiatric care, crisis stabilization, and forensic psychiatry, which further strengthened my clinical expertise.

Earlier in my career, I specialized in maternal mental health, serving as a Patient Care Director for high-risk obstetric populations and contributing to perinatal mental health policy at the state and national levels. This background gives me a uniquely broad, whole-person perspective on psychiatric care across the lifespan.

My approach is grounded in trauma-informed, individualized care. I take time to fully understand your history, concerns, and goals before collaboratively building a treatment plan tailored to you. I have also served on health policy committees and presented at national nursing conferences, reflecting my commitment to psychiatric care.

Helping people reclaim their mental health and quality of life is not just my profession — it is my purpose. I am Christina Stelly, a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) based in Martinez, California, with a deep commitment to compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric care. My path to this work has been shaped by years of experience across diverse, high-acuity clinical settings, and I bring both clinical expertise and genuine care to every patient I serve.

My educational foundation includes a Post-Certificate DNP in Psychiatric Mental Health from the University of Illinois Chicago, a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Texas Tech University, and a Master of Science in Nursing from Touro University — all built upon over a decade of hands-on clinical nursing experience.

I provide comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and crisis intervention for veterans navigating conditions including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and substance use disorders. Prior to this role, I completed an advanced NP residency focused on forensic psychiatry and crisis stabilization, and served as Patient Care Director overseeing high-risk maternal mental health at the University of Illinois Chicago.

I specialize in caring for diverse and underserved populations, including veterans, individuals with severe mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and those in acute psychiatric crisis. My perinatal psychiatry background also provides a unique perspective for supporting individuals through some of life's most vulnerable transitions.

Beyond direct patient care, I am an active mental health policy advocate, contributing to state advisory councils and national nursing organizations. I believe every person deserves dignified, individualized care — and if you are ready to take the next step, I warmly welcome the opportunity to connect and support you.

As a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of clinical experience, I bring something distinctive to mental health care: a research-informed approach grounded in real-world compassion. My background as a Sub-Investigator in psychiatric trials keeps me current with the latest treatment innovations, while my Master's from Western University of Health Sciences and ongoing Doctoral studies ensure I'm always expanding my expertise.

I specialize in the conditions that require specialized understanding: ADHD, autism, complex patients, OCD, personality disorders, PTSD/trauma, schizophrenia/psychosis disorders, and substance use disorders, alongside comprehensive treatment for depression, anxiety, panic, mood disorders, and bipolar disorder. What excites me about this work is that every client teaches me something new about resilience and recovery.

My clinical experience spans diverse settings, from outpatient care to cutting-edge research, giving me a unique perspective on evidence-based treatment. I combine thorough psychiatric evaluations using DSM-5 criteria with personalized medication management, always staying current with the latest advances in psychiatric care.

What I want you to know is this: your mental health journey matters to me both professionally and personally. I'm committed to providing care that's not just clinically excellent, but deeply respectful of your individual experience and goals.

Hi! Thanks so much for visiting. I am a board-certified psychiatrist who has been in practice since 2012, and before that I practiced internal medicine. I treat individuals age 10 and up in an adult setting. I went to Duke University for pre-med (BS psychology) and then Emory University School of Medicine. I did my internal medicine residency at Emory also, was on staff at Emory, and was also in private practice before I went back to my psychiatry residency (State University at Stony Brook, Chief Resident, 2012).

I bring the dual training and years of experience treating the breadth and depth of psychiatry. I enjoy helping those who have had treatment-resistant conditions, and have a friendly, kind, and collaborative approach.

I treat anyone who is motivated to get better. I manage the entire spectrum of conditions, and manage tough-to-fix things like OCD and bipolar depression. Because of my personal background, I really get the gender-divergent and neuro-divergent folks, and folks with anxiety. :).

Please note:

-Self-pay rates are $500 for intakes and $250 for follow up appointments.

-Starting 7/29/26, I am based primarily in the SF Bay area, and so appointments might seem at odd hours for those on the east coast. If the times don't align with your needs, make the first appointment and we will make follow-ups together that fits for both of us.

-Given I am primarily providing care for those in a wonderful community center in San Jose, CA, (Camara), I will see folks in this practice part-time.

-I will be in Atlanta to see patients live if needed but know it may not be more than once every 6-8 weeks. On-line is primary.

I have two locations in the Bay Area for live visits. If an in-person session is needed, we will book that after the first on-line appointment.

-If a Florida client needs a controlled substance, one visit to the Atlanta or SF office will be necessary.

Great to meet you! I'm Ryan Carr, a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who works with adolescents and adults facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, trauma, and psychotic disorders. My background includes years of psychiatric nursing in both inpatient and outpatient settings, caring for individuals with a wide range of mental health needs. I believe the best treatment starts with feeling heard, respected, and involved in your care. Together, we'll create a personalized plan focused on helping you feel better and achieve your goals.

I’m a doctoral-prepared, board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who works with clients across the lifespan. I earned my Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Arizona and have experience caring for individuals in outpatient, intensive outpatient, and higher-acuity mental health settings. My background includes treating anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma-related concerns, OCD, mood disorders, and substance use. I take a thoughtful, practical, and individualized approach to care, with the goal of helping clients feel understood, safe, supported, and comfortable being honest when feeling emotionally vulnerable.

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.