Noe Valley Psychiatry

Welcome to Noe Valley Psychiatry, a practice dedicated to providing comprehensive and individualized mental health care to children, adolescents, and adults. As a psychiatrist, I, Dr. Cindy Cruz, am committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where individuals can share their stories, explore their challenges, and work towards positive change.

Our Approach

At the core of my work is the concept of building a strong and trusting relationship with each patient. I believe that understanding one's own story, as well as the influences of environment and temperament, is crucial for effective treatment. While my primary framework is psychodynamic psychotherapy, I also incorporate elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness techniques as needed. Medication management is also an option when necessary. Ongoing therapy is essential for optimizing treatment and ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.

My Background

As a bilingual English and Spanish speaker, born and raised in Costa Rica, I have had a diverse range of experiences. I completed my medical education in Costa Rica and went on to receive training in adult psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts and child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco. I also received training in infant-parent mental health at the University of California, Davis. My dual background in medicine and business administration (MBA from the Georgia Institute of Technology) has given me a unique perspective on human behavior, allowing me to relate more deeply to the needs of my patients.

Board Certifications and Education

I hold board certifications in both General and Adult Psychiatry as well as Child and Adolescent Psychiatry from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. My educational background includes a Bachelor of Science from the Universidad de Costa Rica and a Medical Degree from the same institution. I have also completed additional training programs in Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy at the San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis and have received training in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).

Services

As a psychiatrist, I offer a range of services, including initial therapy assessments, ongoing therapy sessions, and medication management. Therapy sessions are typically 45 minutes long and can be held in person or via videoconferencing. Medication management is tailored to each patient's individual needs and is typically addressed during therapy sessions.

Payment and Insurance

Payment is due at the time of service, and I accept cash, checks, or credit/debit cards. As I am not part of a managed care provider panel, patients are responsible for-submitting their own claims for reimbursement from their insurance provider. I also provide a superbill for patients to submit to their insurance provider for reimbursement.

Availability

Please note that I am currently not taking new patients. If you are interested in joining my waitlist or would like more information about my services, please contact me at 415-417-1161 and leave a message.