

Oakland's mental health landscape is evolving with growing access to talk therapy and medication management. Headway serves residents throughout the city, including Downtown Oakland, Piedmont Avenue, and Fruitvale, with providers available within two weeks. Work with your insurance to make mental healthcare affordable and accessible.
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.
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.
Hi, I’m a psychiatric nurse practitioner who believes everyone deserves to feel heard, supported, and treated with kindness. I create a warm, welcoming, and judgment-free space where you can feel comfortable being yourself. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, mood changes, and other mental health concerns. Along with medication management, I also use supportive therapy techniques, including CBT and motivational interviewing, to help clients build healthy coping skills and feel more confident in their daily lives.
Hello, my name is Alexander Valenzuela PMHNP. I specialize in psychiatric medication management and cognitive behavioral talk therapy. If you're struggling with your mental health and realize you want help, you don't have to do it alone. I am looking forward to starting the journey with you to help achieve your best self.
Richard Perez is a Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. For over 15 years, he has dedicated his career to serving the healthcare needs of Long Beach and Los Angeles County. Richard wants to continue improving the lives of each patient by providing professional, compassionate, and person-centered care.
Richard has spent the last two years providing mental health care to underserved populations. This experience has significantly sharpened his clinical skills, which he now aims to bring to the general patient population.
I am a double board-certified family and psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner. As a Family and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, I believe that healing begins with understanding. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you can share your story without judgment and work toward meaningful, lasting change. I provide individualized, evidence-based care for adults facing depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorders, ADHD/ADD, and sleep disorders.
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.











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 Oakland 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, PTSD, 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 practicing across Oakland and the broader East Bay, narrowing your search can feel overwhelming. Consider what matters most to you — whether that's a provider who specializes in a specific condition, offers virtual appointments, or practices 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 Oakland 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 many patients pay as low as $0 per visit. 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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