Dialectical Behavior (DBT) Psychiatrists in Monterey County, CA

PLEASE NOTE: WE DO NOT ACCEPT INSURANCE. Dr. Shivani Chmura is an expert in treating patients with an evidence based, compassionate approach. She also has extensive experience with medication management for eating disorders. Dr. Chmura is trained in both Child and Adolescent and Adult Psychiatry from UCSF and Stanford Universities. She uses a warm, holistic approach to treating every individual, couple, and family. Dr. Chmura is trained in a variety of therapeutic modalities, (CBT, DBT, Supportive). She is an expert on pharmacologic management for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, ADHD, and post-partum depression and anxiety.

I was born and raised in South Florida and went on to complete medical school and training in Miami, FL. I developed a passion for working with families early in medical training. I have trained in a variety of settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and emergency/crisis services. I also have training in DBT and have worked with college students at the University of Miami undergraduate campus.

My treatment philosophy is to get to know each person as a whole. I want to get to know you, your story, and what matters to you. If needed, I will help you tell your story. I approach the therapeutic relationship as a partnership built on trust and communication with you in the driver’s seat. The better you can help me understand your world, the better I can pull from the resources available to me to share with you. You will understand what is going on with you or your child and be active participants in this journey. I enjoy working with parents/caregivers and families and believe it is essential to a child’s treatment & recovery.

I work primarily from a psychodynamic perspective with a focus on the therapeutic relationship and incorporate principles from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I completed my undergraduate degree and medical school at Harvard University, with time in between spent working as a wilderness therapy guide for adolescents. I am currently in my final year of psychiatry residency at UCSF.

I offer evidence based psychotherapy and psychopharmacology. My therapy approach is a mix of genuine humanism, evidence based (CBT, DBT. RO-DBT) strategies and mindfulness. I strive to be validating, non-judgmental and warm while collaboratively helping you get the tools you need to reach your valued-goals in life.

My psychiatry practice is focused on you and how you can best achieve your goals, whether that is medication, psychotherapy, lifestyle changes, or a combination of all three. Let's work together to help you get 'unstuck'. As a psychiatrist I am comfortable with prescribing medications as well as therapy. The first half of my residency training was in the Family Medicine Dept. at the University of Iowa, and the second was in Psychiatry at the University of South Alabama, where I am an Adjunct Professor. Psychiatry was the natural choice because I enjoy having the time to listen and understand in order to personalize recommendations.

My approach is based on integrative psychiatry, which uses medications, therapy and complementary medicine to treat the whole person, not just the symptoms. I address the combined impact of sleep, lifestyle, relationships, nutrition and chronic medical conditions on well-being, and use cutting edge tools like genetic testing to guide personalized treatment with medication and supplements. I consider the patient’s cultural background in my assessments and I can provide treatment in Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian. My goal is to help my patients create lasting changes and build vitality, resilience and purpose in life.

I believe that caring and respectful relationships are the basis for any kind of healing. In my work with patients I view what we do together as a collaboration. You are the expert in yourself and your feelings. I bring to that collaboration the expertise from my academic experience and training as well as from the care of thousands of patients with similar problems. Together we create a treatment plan that will lead to a sustained recovery from a mood or anxiety disorder.

Hello! I'm a Stanford and University of California trained child & adolescent & adult psychiatrist in a small, concierge-style practice. I work with a therapy dog who helps my patients to feel safe and comfortable. I have special interests in trauma-related disorders, OCD, anxiety, and ADHD. My style is compassionate, nonjudgmental, warm, patient-centered, and therapy-oriented. When prescribing medication I practice based on the latest scientific evidence, so that my patients have the highest chance of meeting their mental health goals without unnecessary side effects. I connect especially well with teens and young adults.

We know asking for help is not an easy thing to do. We also know that finding a provider you trust to help you navigate mental health care can be a challenge. That's why we're here, and we're doing things differently. As a patient at Bonmente, you enjoy comprehensive treatments customized specifically for your unique circumstances, convenient telemedicine appointments that allow you to see your provider from the comfort of home, an online patient portal that lets you communicate directly with your provider, and a highly trained support team that makes becoming a patient as simple as it should be. Now welcoming new patients!

I am a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Adult Psychiatrist with over 19 years of service to children, families and adults. I use a strength based approach to healing focused on developing self-awareness through compassion. As part of the healing process, I support families in their journey to uncover the wisdom hidden in their distress. ​ I have experience in treating depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, Autism Spectrum disorders and PTSD. ​ I specialize in Mind Body approaches to healing, integrating movement, exercise, nutrition and restful sleep strategies into treatment plans.

Discover a holistic path to mental well-being and embrace a personalized approach to your journey. Whether you're seeking relief from anxiety, depression, or navigating life's complexities, I offer comprehensive and alternative approaches to therapy. Take the first step towards a balanced life, prioritize your needs and integrate essential elements like nutrition, rest, physical activity, nature, social connections, technology mindfulness, and mental tranquility.

Do you experience challenges with anxiety, sleep, attention/distractibility (ADHD)? Do you want to go beyond feeling better, to getting better? I work with motivated individuals to achieve lasting, sustainable change utilizing a fusion of psychotherapy, lifestyle change, technology, and neuropharmacology. As each patient is unique with their own personal experience, background and goals, I develop individualized treatment plans using curated, evidence-based interventions to achieve the best possible outcomes.

I embrace a collaborative approach with my patients. I want to provide knowledge and experience so as to empower my patients to make informed decisions about their available treatment options. My style is grounded in the mind-body connection by blending mindfulness, behaviors, and holistic interventions with medications.

I am a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and I have many years of experience in mental health management. I aim to support both the mental and physical health of my clients. I meet my patients where they are. I utilize many approaches in my treatment plans, including psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, innovative, individualized care, motivational interviews, goal setting, supportive, strength-based, person-centered, compassion-focused, evidence-based practices, and patient education.

Dr. Murat Akalin is Board Certified in Psychiatry and Family Medicine. He treats adults, children and adolescents. He is expertly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric illness, including use of medications. He uses exercise, nutrition, behavioral, social and environmental interventions to help his patients, as well as medication when needed. You may visit our website at www.DrAkalin.com for more information about our services.