Find a psychiatrist in Santa Cruz, CA — covered by insurance

I realize that most of us could use support, especially during times of overwhelming challenges in our personal and professional lives. Life can be complex, with significant obligations and expectations from family, friends, and ourselves. When these challenges become too much, it’s normal to start doubting our ability to manage our affairs and interactions. If stress, doubt, and dissatisfaction go unaddressed, these feelings can develop into an unhealthy view of ourselves and our environment—and it’s at this point that many recognize a need for help.

Dr. Aw primary interest is the intersection between mental and physical health. Dr. Aw’s philosophy, one does not exist outside of the other. Furthermore, Depression and anxiety in patients who are also suffering from medical issues feels significantly worse, and it is his goal to get patients on the road to recovery.

Hi, I’m Abdel! With over 15 years of experience in healthcare, I am a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) dedicated to providing compassionate care for individuals managing anxiety, depression, ADHD, and trauma. As a bilingual speaker in English and Arabic, I specialize in creating an inclusive environment where patients from all backgrounds feel truly heard and respected. My goal is to empower you through open communication and evidence-based treatment to help you achieve lasting wellness.

I’m a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with a background in nursing and mental health care. I focus on medication management with a supportive, real-life approach. I work with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and OCD.

I believe you should feel heard, understood, and involved in your care. My goal is to create a comfortable, judgment-free space where we can work together to find what truly helps you feel better and function at your best. I also incorporate brief therapeutic support alongside medication when it’s needed.

Akpengbe, DNP, earned a doctorate at Brandman University in California and a Master’s degree in science at Walden University in Minnesota, certified to provide medical and psychiatric needs in California. With 17 years of experience in mental health and medical care since 2005.

If you feel burdened trying to reach a provider or think you need to be heard by a provider. he has an answer to these constraints, with knowledge of medication management for anxiety, depression, and mood,

• Outstanding Patient Reviews - Google reviews (Access Psych Meds)
• Experienced Mental Health Provider (13 years) assisting clients with ADHD (adult) Anxiety Depression Chronic Pain Chronic Sleep problems Mood disorder PTSD: Military combat, childhood & sexual trauma Alcohol Use Disorder
• Dual Master’s Prepared
• ANCC Dual Board Certified - Psych Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Veteran 22 yrs retired US Navy Commander/O-5
• Licensed in 5 States - AZ, CA, OR, MD, WA

Dr. Jazi graduated from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2006. He had a strong enthusiasm for studying the brain function. Therefore, he decided to join a neuroscience research lab at the University of Bremen in Germany in 2007. In 2009, he joined a graduate program at the Barrow Neurological Institute at Arizona State University to further study the brain and expand his studies in the field of neuroscience. He has presented in many neuroscience conferences and has published several papers in scientific journals. For a list of his papers please click here.

His research background in the field of neuroscience was extremely helpful in understanding mental health disorders. His enthusiasm to help patients and families dealing with mental health problems was an important motive to start his training in psychiatry. In 2014, he joined the Psychiatry Residency Program at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine in Roanoke, Virginia. During his residency training he was working in both academic and community settings with a variety of patient populations. Having special interest in mental health disorder in older adults, after graduating from residency in Adult Psychiatry, he did a fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where he was trained more specifically to take care of older adults with mental health disorders. He graduated from Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship at UCLA in 2019 and shortly after he began his private practice.

Dr. Jazi is a culturally competent psychiatrists and psychotherapist, meaning that he is comfortable addressing issues like developmental disabilities, disabilities that develop later in life, national origin, racial identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, etc. He is also very familiar with Middle Eastern cultures. He speaks Farsi fluently, and he provides psychotherapy and medication management in both English and Farsi.