Pawanjit Dhillon

I am a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner serving California through telehealth and in-person appointments. I am a graduate of the UCSF Adult-Gerontology/Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program and the UC Davis Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner post-graduate program, with advanced training from faculty affiliated with UC Davis, UCSF, UCLA, and UC Irvine Schools of Nursing. I am double board-certified as both an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, which allows me to care for patients with complex medical and psychiatric needs through a truly whole-person lens.

Before transitioning fully into mental health care, I spent over a decade working as a trauma and critical care surgical nurse practitioner in a Level II trauma hospital. During that time, I saw firsthand how deeply traumatic injuries, mental health conditions, and substance use disorders are intertwined. Many patients returned with repeat injuries because underlying trauma, addiction, and untreated mental health conditions were never addressed. That experience shaped my belief that healing cannot be complete without caring for both the mind and the body—and it inspired me to pursue advanced training in psychiatric mental health.

Outside of my clinical work, I enjoy gardening, cooking, traveling, and spending quality time with my three children and extended family. These moments help keep me grounded and remind me of the importance of balance, connection, and compassionate care—values I bring into every patient interaction.

Today, I work with adolescents (14+) through older adults, supporting individuals experiencing depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders.

Many of my patients come to me feeling overwhelmed, unheard, or hoping to feel “normal” again. My approach centers on building trust, listening with empathy, and meeting patients where they are in their treatment journey. I collaborate closely with each patient to develop thoughtful, evidence-based treatment plans that align with their goals and values.