

Finding the right support in Carlsbad is easier with Headway's 946 licensed providers serving neighborhoods including Carlsbad Village, Aviara, and Poinsettia. Providers offer both talk therapy and medication management with flexible scheduling and free initial consultations. Through partnerships with 70+ insurance plans, Headway helps patients maximize their coverage and minimize out-of-pocket costs.
I’m here to make this journey feel gentle, welcoming, and human. I keep things clear and simple so you can focus on what matters, not the overwhelm. My style is warm, encouraging, and a little poetic—because softness helps us breathe. Let’s take this step together, one calm moment at a time.
I am a board-certified nurse practitioner with many years of experience in healthcare, including primary care, psychiatric mental health, leadership, and wellness-based practice. My background has allowed me to work with individuals facing a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and medical concerns, and I understand how closely mental health and physical health are connected.
My path into psychiatry is both professional and personal. I moved to the U.S. alone at 17 while navigating complex PTSD and periods of misdiagnosis, which shaped how I understand mental health today. I began with a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Nankai University, then trained as a nurse and nurse practitioner at Charles R. Drew University and Purdue University.
Over the past 7 years, I’ve worked across medical and mental health settings, developing an approach that balances clinical precision with individualized care. I specialize in anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and complex PTSD, particularly for individuals who feel stuck or haven’t found relief in traditional treatment.
I’m licensed in California, Virginia, New York, Washington, and Oregon, and provide care via telehealth.
Hi, I’m Lorraine Nxumalo, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). Thank you for trusting me with your mental health care. My priority is to offer compassionate, evidence-based support tailored to your needs. I strive to create a positive, trusting environment where you feel safe to share openly about your experiences and challenges. Together, we’ll work honestly and transparently to develop a treatment plan that prioritizes your well-being and safety.
With over a decade of acute care experience as a Registered Nurse and a Master’s degree as a Psychiatric Mental
Health Nurse Practitioner, I specialize in treating mood disorders, anxiety, PTSD, neurodiversity, and medication
management.
My name is Dianne Fontaine, MSN, APRN, and I'm a Licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Board Certified (PMHNP-BC) by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). I obtained my Master’s Degree from Walden University and has undergone advanced clinical training, equipping me to assess, diagnose, and treat a spectrum of psychiatric illnesses, as well as provide psychotherapy.











Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Finding the right psychiatrist in Carlsbad starts with understanding what kind of care you need. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication, and in some cases provide talk therapy. If you're looking for help with anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, or medication management, a psychiatrist may be the right fit. Psychiatric nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) can also prescribe and manage medication and are another option available through Headway.
With many mental health providers serving the Carlsbad area and surrounding communities like Oceanside, Encinitas, and San Marcos, narrowing your search can take time. Consider what matters most to you — whether that's a provider who specializes in a specific condition, offers virtual appointments, or is located near your neighborhood. Reading a provider's bio can help you understand their approach and decide if they're a good match before you book.
Psychiatry in Carlsbad can be expensive without insurance. Using your in-network benefits is one of the most reliable ways to lower your out-of-pocket costs. On Headway, you can enter your insurance details to see estimated session costs upfront, and your out-of-pocket cost may be as low as $0 per session. Nationally, Headway partners with over 100 insurance plans, making it easier to find a psychiatrist who is both the right clinical fit and covered by your plan.
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