Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Santa Cruz, CA covered by Cigna

IMPORTANT: For current availability, visit https://mentalhealthpractitioners.com/ or call or text us anytime at 415-968-6515—we make it super easy! Intake forms are required before your first appointment and will be emailed to you when you book online. You can text us your info or email us at [email protected]. Please be sure to send us a picture of your insurance information and photo ID!

I'm Christina Stelly, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC — a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner based in Martinez, CA. With over 15 years of clinical experience across inpatient psychiatry, maternal health, and advanced practice, I am deeply committed to delivering compassionate, evidence-based mental health care to every person I serve.

I specialize in treating schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and etc.

My academic background includes a Post-Certificate DNP in Psychiatric Mental Health from the University of Illinois Chicago, a Doctorate of Nurse Practice from Texas Tech University, and a Master of Science in Nursing from Touro University. I also completed an intensive NP residency focused on advanced psychiatric care, crisis stabilization, and forensic psychiatry, which further strengthened my clinical expertise.

Earlier in my career, I specialized in maternal mental health, serving as a Patient Care Director for high-risk obstetric populations and contributing to perinatal mental health policy at the state and national levels. This background gives me a uniquely broad, whole-person perspective on psychiatric care across the lifespan.

My approach is grounded in trauma-informed, individualized care. I take time to fully understand your history, concerns, and goals before collaboratively building a treatment plan tailored to you. I have also served on health policy committees and presented at national nursing conferences, reflecting my commitment to psychiatric care.

Clients often describe me as warm, approachable, and easy to talk to. I aim to create a supportive and engaging space where you feel safe to be emotionally open, while also bringing a sense of ease.

At the core of my style is curiosity. I’m drawn to the “why” - why we feel, think, and respond to life the way we do. I take a holistic and at times existential approach, exploring not just immediate challenges, but the deeper patterns, life transitions, and questions of meaning that shape your experience.

I draw from a wide range of personal and professional experiences, including working directly with and overseeing a large and diverse group of clients. This allows me to adapt different techniques and perspectives to support growth, insight, and lasting change. Throughout the process, I remain thoughtful, engaged, and focused on what will be most helpful for you.

Welcome,

I’m glad you’re here. Reaching out for support takes courage, and you don’t have to navigate this alone. I am Eziaha Ihediwah a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) and I specialize in working with individuals dealing with ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, and eating disorder, this is a space where you will be heard, respected, and taken seriously. Your experiences matter, and your care will be tailored to you—not a one-size-fits-all plan.

Your role in this process Healing is a partnership. You’ll always have space to ask questions, express concerns, and be involved in decisions about your care. Progress may take time, but we will move at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you.

If you ever feel overwhelmed between visits, please reach out. Support is available, and you deserve consistent care.

I look forward to working with you and supporting you toward stability, clarity, and improved quality of life.

I am a therapist with a Masters in Social Work from California State University, Sacramento.

I have worked with children, teens, families and adults for over 10 years. I specialize in trauma-focused care, while I have also helped with many life challenges and mental health needs.

I help people deal with life when it feels like a roller coaster, where there are ups & downs, sudden twists & turns and constant turbulence. I can help you cope with the ride, give you reassurance and help build a bridge to help you access what you need. I will eventually challenge you to steer the ride without me to ensure you can live your life independently.

I am a licensed therapist who has been working in the field since 2014 with diverse individuals in different settings. I attended California State Polytechnic University for my Bachelors Degree in Psychology and the University of Southern California for my Masters in Social Work. I specialize in working with individuals suffering from anxiety, depression, trauma, women's issues and grief and loss issues. On a personal note, I love to hike, cook and watch movies.

I entered into this field to help individuals to learn, grow and heal at their own pace. I fundamentally believe that we are the experts of ourselves and our experiences. My role through my education, learning and experience is to support clients’ in unlocking their awareness of patterns to increase the clients’ ability to access the tools within them to facilitate their learning, growth and healing through a collaborative process.

As a Black/African American woman, I am passionate about working with people of color (especially people of color who identify as LGBTIA+) in destigmatizing mental health in our communities and identifying how systemic racism/systemic oppression affect our mental health.

My strengths as a therapist are rooted in fifteen years of experience working in the field as a mental health clinician in a variety of settings. I have supported individual’s ability to access their inherent tools to overcome struggles connected to trauma, grief & loss, depression and general anxiety. Over the course of my experience I have developed skills in providing therapy to underrepresented, underserviced families, children, individuals, and couples. I also have a wealth of experience supporting youth involved in the juvenile justice system, oppositional teens, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.