Diana Pena

IMPORTANT: All clients must complete our intake form and sign our policies before their appointment. Please complete these documents at https://intakeq.com/new/6oakjo/lusjbb or contact us at 415-968-6515 (call or text).

Hello, I'm Diana Pena, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I provide comprehensive care for complex psychiatric presentations. My expertise spans ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, OCD, personality disorders, PTSD and trauma, schizophrenia and psychosis disorders, substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, panic disorders, mood disorders, and bipolar conditions. I've dedicated my practice to supporting those who may have struggled to find providers comfortable with their complexity.

What sets my practice apart is my genuine comfort with diagnostic complexity and co-occurring conditions. Many patients come to me after experiencing frustration with providers who seemed overwhelmed by multifaceted presentations or offered fragmented care. I understand that real people rarely fit into neat diagnostic boxes, and I bring the expertise needed to address how neurodivergence, trauma, substance use, and mental health conditions intersect.

My approach is individualized and trauma-informed. Whether you're navigating ADHD and autism together, managing OCD alongside trauma history, dealing with personality disorder symptoms while in recovery, or experiencing psychotic symptoms, I take time to comprehend your unique situation. I believe in thorough assessment, accurate diagnosis, and collaborative treatment planning that honors your goals.

I provide a safe, non-judgmental space for open conversation. My goal is to help you understand your experience, develop effective coping strategies, and build resilience as we work toward the meaningful life you want. For up-to-date availability, please visit our website at mentalhealthpractitioners.com or call/text us at 415-968-6515.

My approach to care rests on mutual respect, authentic collaboration, and the firm conviction that you hold deep knowledge of your own needs. I see myself as a trusted ally and steady guide—not someone who dictates your care. Mental health treatment thrives through genuine partnership, and I'm committed to building that connection from our very first interaction.

No question is too small, and no concern is ever brushed aside. I bring curiosity and openness to our relationship, working to understand your unique perspective and life circumstances, including the cultural background and personal identities that shape how you experience your well-being. Your reasons for seeking care matter, and I devote meaningful time to exploring not just your symptoms but the wider context: how they affect your daily life, your relationships, and your sense of self.

I advocate for comprehensive care that accounts for biological, psychological, and social dimensions. That means thoughtfully considering medication when appropriate while integrating evidence-based methods, lifestyle changes, and your own strengths. I believe in honest education about your mental health so you can take an active role in your healing—sharing insights into conditions, options, and research—while recognizing that you remain the ultimate authority on your own experience.

Mental health struggles are shared human experiences, not personal failings or character flaws. From the moment you arrive, my focus is making sure you feel genuinely valued and wholly supported. I'm dedicated to meeting you exactly where you are, adapting my approach and communication style to your needs, and collaborating with your broader support network—loved ones and other providers alike—whenever it serves your well-being.

Right from the very start, our first visit holds one clear purpose: making sure you feel truly heard, deeply valued, and fully understood. We will look closely at what has brought you here, whether you are living with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, or other challenges that shape your everyday life. I will ask thoughtful questions to form a full picture of your symptoms, their nature, frequency, and intensity, what tends to set them off, how long you have been affected, whether the patterns are shifting over time, and what you have already tried up to now.

Your mental health history sits right at the very center of our conversation. We will move through past diagnoses, earlier treatment experiences, and how you responded to various medications or clinical approaches. If you have taken such medications before, we will review each one closely: what it was, how long you took it, the dosage, how well it worked, and why it was eventually stopped.

Your family mental health background adds another vital layer, since genetics can strongly influence which treatments are most likely to truly help you. Your broader medical profile matters just as much, as current health conditions, active prescriptions, allergies, seizure history, and physical symptoms all feed into prescribing decisions that are safe and carefully considered.

We will also look closely at your lifestyle, including sleep habits, substance use, workplace demands, relationships, and your support network. Your formative experiences, trauma history, personal losses, and how you currently handle daily stress and difficult emotions are all meaningful parts of this fullest picture.

Once we have built a comprehensive understanding together, we will thoughtfully weigh whether medication management is the right direction. I will share my clinical impressions honestly and carefully walk you through each recommendation in simple, clear, and accessible language.