Photo of Pavel Ksendz, PMHNP, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Pavel Ksendz
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, PMHNP
Verified Verified
Santa Cruz, CA 95060  (Online Only)
I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specialized in treating mood, anxiety, cognitive, trauma-related, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. I am a strong proponent of the philosophy that health is multifactorial, made up of physical, psychological, emotional, social and spiritual facets. I value taking a collaborative approach with clients to create a thorough, individualized treatment plan that best meets their specific needs and goals. I have a long-held passion for mental healthcare and have worked with individuals of all ages in a variety of settings within psychiatry.
I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specialized in treating mood, anxiety, cognitive, trauma-related, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. I am a strong proponent of the philosophy that health is multifactorial, made up of physical, psychological, emotional, social and spiritual facets. I value taking a collaborative approach with clients to create a thorough, individualized treatment plan that best meets their specific needs and goals. I have a long-held passion for mental healthcare and have worked with individuals of all ages in a variety of settings within psychiatry.
(831) 786-5223 View (831) 786-5223
Photo of Samir Hamed, PMHNP, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Samir Hamed
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, PMHNP
Verified Verified
Santa Cruz, CA 95060  (Online Only)
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 Allied Healers, 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.
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 Allied Healers, 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.
(831) 318-8262 View (831) 318-8262
Photo of Alex Sahba - Psychiatric Evaluations - Dr. Alex Sahba, MD, Psychiatrist
Psychiatric Evaluations - Dr. Alex Sahba
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
I'm Dr. Alex Sahba, board certified in general psychiatry/forensic psychiatry and trained at UCLA. As a recognized leader in the fields of psychiatry and qualified medical evaluations (QMEs), I am called upon to provide excellent service in various settings, including medical, legal, and academics. I conduct various types of evaluations, including: Legal/Forensics, Risk Assessment (Violence/Sexual), Drug/Alcohol Evals, Cognitive Evals, Competency Evals, Diagnostic Clarification, Fitness For Duty Evals.,​ Pre-employment Evals., Immigration-related Evals., and Workers’ Comp. (QME/AME).
I'm Dr. Alex Sahba, board certified in general psychiatry/forensic psychiatry and trained at UCLA. As a recognized leader in the fields of psychiatry and qualified medical evaluations (QMEs), I am called upon to provide excellent service in various settings, including medical, legal, and academics. I conduct various types of evaluations, including: Legal/Forensics, Risk Assessment (Violence/Sexual), Drug/Alcohol Evals, Cognitive Evals, Competency Evals, Diagnostic Clarification, Fitness For Duty Evals.,​ Pre-employment Evals., Immigration-related Evals., and Workers’ Comp. (QME/AME).
(831) 401-4823 View (831) 401-4823
Photo of Rudy Roque, PMHNP, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Rudy Roque
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, PMHNP
Verified Verified
Santa Cruz, CA 95060  (Online Only)
Life can be incredibly challenging, so finding a mental health provider when you're already struggling should not be. I know how overwhelming it can be to navigate insurance and find someone who is a good fit. As a provider, I hope to help as many people as possible overcome that process by offering a mindful, knowledgeable, and transparent approach to medication management. If you are struggling, I hope you reach out and know that I am here to help.
Life can be incredibly challenging, so finding a mental health provider when you're already struggling should not be. I know how overwhelming it can be to navigate insurance and find someone who is a good fit. As a provider, I hope to help as many people as possible overcome that process by offering a mindful, knowledgeable, and transparent approach to medication management. If you are struggling, I hope you reach out and know that I am here to help.
(657) 256-3763 View (657) 256-3763
Photo of Stacey Amber Flores - Integrated Psychiatric Nursing Inc, MSN, PMHNP-C, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Integrated Psychiatric Nursing Inc
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, MSN, PMHNP-C
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
I offer comprehensive psychiatric services to children, teens and adults. I work with adolescents and adults with bipolar and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. l enjoy helping kiddos navigate ADHD, ODD, DMDD treatment options and psychotherapeutic interventions which may be beneficial. My goal is to help each client reach their goals and explore all domains of life and evaluate areas which may need some extra care. Whether you're going through a life stressor and need help navigating that or are ready to work on a chronic problem, I am here to help see you through this and provide you with comprehensive care.
I offer comprehensive psychiatric services to children, teens and adults. I work with adolescents and adults with bipolar and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. l enjoy helping kiddos navigate ADHD, ODD, DMDD treatment options and psychotherapeutic interventions which may be beneficial. My goal is to help each client reach their goals and explore all domains of life and evaluate areas which may need some extra care. Whether you're going through a life stressor and need help navigating that or are ready to work on a chronic problem, I am here to help see you through this and provide you with comprehensive care.
(831) 612-1379 View (831) 612-1379
Substance Use Psychiatrists

How do substance and drug recovery or rehabilitation programs work?

In inpatient programs, individuals live in a facility with other clients in recovery; in outpatient programs, individuals reside at home. These facilities are staffed with healthcare professionals including physicians, nurses, psychologists, counselors, and psychotherapists. Staff often also includes people who have recovered themselves, serving as mentors and guides. These programs may use abstinence, harm reduction, detoxification, psychotherapy, and other methods.

How do 12-step programs combined with psychotherapy work?

Members of 12-step programs help each other reach abstinence and work to maintain it. These programs promote complete change in the individual’s emotional, mental, physical, and even spiritual perspectives. Some programs require that new members attend 90 meetings in 90 days. Many people do attend these programs in conjunction with their work in psychotherapy; the combination of therapy along with 12-step can be extremely effective.

How does harm reduction combined with psychotherapy work?

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, harm reduction prevents death, injury, disease, overdose, and substance misuse. People who choose harm reduction for substance use reduce the amount of drugs they consume. It is not abstinence-based like a 12-step program, but combining harm reduction with psychotherapy proves to be effective for many people.

Are there specific medications for substance and drug use?

There are medications approved to treat substance use disorder—such as buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone, and acamprosate. These medications do help people cope with substance use as well as avoid the problem of relapse. Naltrexone can help reduce cravings, methadone is an opioid medication used to treat severe pain, and acamprosate may help ease symptoms like poor sleep and anxious feelings.