Find a psychiatrist in San Rafael, CA — covered by insurance
Top psychiatrists in San Rafael, CA accepting new patients
Looking for therapy in San Rafael's vibrant communities including the North San Rafael, Fairmont, and Terra Linda neighborhoods? Headway offers 942 providers trained in evidence-based approaches, with sessions often covered by insurance so you can focus on your care.
Hello, I'm Mindy. I'm a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with 16 years of clinical experience. My path has included military service, community health work in rural Morocco, and care across many settings, from intensive care to hospice. These experiences shape how I show up: with warmth, curiosity, cultural humility, and respect for everyone's story. I treat the whole person, not just the diagnosis.
That means taking time to dig into your history, what has worked, what has not, and what you actually want from your care. Whether that is medication, therapy, or both, we figure it out together.
I work with adolescents, adults, and older adults navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, bipolar disorder, and life transitions including loss, chronic illness, major life changes, and times when you just cannot name what is wrong yet.
I am Sharon Atwood, a dual board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Adult Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of hands-on clinical experience serving adults and older adults. I hold active, unrestricted licenses in Florida, New York, California, and Idaho, and I provide care through both telehealth and outpatient settings.
My academic journey reflects a deep, enduring passion for mental health and human behavior. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology magna cum laude from Kean University, followed by a Master of Science in Nursing from Florida Atlantic University and a Post-Master's Certificate in Psychiatric-Mental Health from the University of Miami, both completed summa cum laude. I maintain board certifications through ANCC and AANP and hold active membership in the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, and the California Association of Nurse Practitioners.
My clinical background spans adult and geriatric primary care, integrated psychiatric services, crisis intervention, and outpatient psychiatric medication management. This diverse experience has prepared me to address a wide range of conditions with both skill and compassion, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, OCD, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, sleep disturbances, grief, anger management, and complex co-occurring presentations. I welcome individuals with treatment-resistant symptoms and those still searching for the right provider.
I specialize in working with adults aged 18 and older, helping to uncover root causes and develop plans for genuine growth. My approach is collaborative and evidence-based, combining psychiatric medication management with integrative wellness strategies that address sleep, nutrition, exercise, stress, and meaningful connection. I believe that expert care works best alongside healthy lifestyle habits and a sense of humor.
%20(1).png)
About our psychiatrists serving San Rafael, CA
- 99%Depression
- 98%Anxiety
- 87%Bipolar disorder
- 86%PTSD
- 86%ADD/ADHD
- 98%Aetna
- 95%Cigna
- 89%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 84%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 59%United Healthcare
- 98%English
- 9%Spanish
- 5%Tagalog
- 4%Igbo
- 3%Hindi
- 90%Online only
- 10%In-person or online
- 73%Woman
- 27%Man
- 89%Nurse Practitioner
- 10%Medical Doctor
- 1%Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
- 96%Individual therapy
- 17%Family therapy
- 7%Couples therapy
- 6%Child or adolescent therapy
Frequently asked questions
Find the right psychiatrist for you
Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Therapist in San Rafael
Finding the right psychiatrist in San Rafael starts with understanding what kind of care you need. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication, and monitor how that medication is working over time. If you're looking for help with anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, or other conditions that may benefit from 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.
San Rafael is part of Marin County, where demand for mental health care often outpaces availability. Many providers in the area have long wait times or limited openings. On Headway, every provider listed is accepting new patients, and you can review their bios, specialties, and session formats — including virtual appointments — before booking.
Psychiatry in the Bay Area can be expensive, but using your in-network insurance 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 before you book. 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.
Use left and right arrow keys to switch tabs. Press Shift+Tab to return to the tab list from links in the selected tab.