Life is stressful, and sometimes, these things can be too much to handle. Trauma, like a car accident, natural disaster, or losing someone you love, can leave you with emotional scars. Two mental health problems that can happen after experiencing trauma are Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Although they are similar […]
It’s important that we find differences and similarities between adjustment disorder and PTSD to finally put an end to the debate of adjustment disorder vs PTSD. We’ll also try to answer questions such as, “Can adjustment disorder turn into PTSD?” or anything along those lines. But before we get into all that, we are going […]
Have you been asking yourself questions along the lines of, “Do I have ADHD or depression?”, then you might be suffering from either of these or it could also be a case of comorbidity. Did you know ADHD and depression can go hand in hand, now you are probably wondering why that is the case. […]
Understanding OCD and Eating disorders is not an easy job, as it can confuse many people as one disorder without knowing the underlying differences these both possess. OCD is a mental disorder that involves specific thoughts a person cannot control and some behaviors they cannot resist. And on the other hand, eating disorders are illnesses […]
ADHD is usually known for causing problems with focus, impulsiveness, and being overly active. But people with ADHD might also have mood swings or feel very happy or sad in a short time. Such changes can vary from extreme happiness to severe sadness without any well-understood reason. In this blog post, we will examine ADHD […]
Depression is a mental disorder that makes millions of people feel sad, hopeless, and unable to take part in activities that once gave them pleasure. Depression is known to make everything you do very overwhelming, and if you or someone close to you has been battling with this, then it is possible to manage stress, […]
Childhood adjustment disorder occurs when children cannot handle a significant life transition or stressor. Children are usually adaptable; no situation can overwhelm their ability to adapt emotionally or behaviorally, though some factors can. The condition is not a mere passing response to transition but includes consistent and sometimes severe feelings that hinder a child’s routine. […]
Life is continuously stressful since stress is a natural occurrence in daily living. From studying for that big test to meeting a demanding work deadline to a clash within the family or even a fight with a close friend, we have all gone through stress at some point. However, when stress takes the form of […]
Impulsively, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) manifests itself in several forms, and some lead the sufferer to experience extreme confusion and distress. Of all the forms of OCD, the “groinal response” seems to be among the most poorly understood. This term refers to the physical discomforts that a person may feel in the genital area, usually due […]
The mental condition called obsessive-compulsive disorder, or more as it is more often called “OCD” has been affecting millions worldwide. Many are bewildered by the reason why it is such a prevalent mental disorder, which begs the question of which brain region is believed to play a critical role in OCD. Perhaps, the main location […]
Richard Samedra, PMHNP-BC, is a Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. He brings over 12 years of experience in the mental health field, working with clients facing a wide range of acute and chronic mental health conditions. His journey began as a Licensed Vocational Nurse and Charge Nurse at Westminster Therapeutic Residential Treatment, where he supported clients dealing with anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders. Richard’s dedication was centered on helping these individuals improve their mental health and transition to a lower level of care, whether that meant returning to their families, a board and care facility, or a sober-living environment.
Motivated by a growing passion for mental health care, Richard pursued his Registered Nurse (RN) education at Saddleback Community College and later transitioned to La Palma Intercommunity Hospital Behavioral Health. In this role, he specialized in geriatric psychiatry, working with older adults experiencing conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, depression, and anxiety. This experience solidified his commitment to mental health, leading him to work at Bellflower Community Hospital, where he provided care for patients experiencing severe psychiatric crises, including suicidal ideation, manic and depressive episodes, substance use disorders, and exacerbated schizophrenia symptoms.
Inspired by the impactful work of PMHNPs at Bellflower, Richard enrolled in the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at Azusa Pacific University. To broaden his expertise, he worked full-time at College Hospital Costa Mesa while completing his studies. There, he gained comprehensive experience across various units, including adolescent, acute men’s and women’s, stabilization, and detox/med-surg. Now, as a PMHNP, Richard is committed to leveraging his diverse background and knowledge to provide compassionate, comprehensive care to those in need.
Richard currently practices as a Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry, where he is supervised by Dr. Montgomery.
Shaheena Gazipura is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over 9 years of dedicated experience in both inpatient and outpatient mental health care. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California.
Shaheena began her career working on an adult psychiatric inpatient unit before transitioning to the geriatric psychiatric inpatient unit at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. In addition to her clinical work, Shaheena also serves as a Nursing Clinical Instructor, guiding the next generation of nurses through their mental health rotations at a large community college.
Shaheena is a passionate advocate for mental health, believing that it is a fundamental pillar of overall well-being. She is committed to reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness and strives to provide comprehensive, compassionate care that honors each individual’s unique experiences and challenges. Her goal is to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where patients feel empowered to work alongside her in achieving their mental health goals.
Outside of her professional life, Shaheena enjoys exploring new culinary experiences, staying active through exercise, and planning her next travel adventures.
Shaheena currently practices as a Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry, where she is supervised by Dr. Barrios.
Clint Nacar, PMHNP-BC is a Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Mr. Nacar graduated from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. Currently Mr. Nacar works in an inpatient psychiatry unit at a leading academic medical center in Los Angeles, Renewed Mental Health Group, and Orange Coast Psychiatry
Mr. Nacar brings over 7+ years of experience with the mental health population. He works to help patients take control of their mental health through patient education, psychotherapy and medication management. Mr. Nacar’s areas of focus include: Depression, Anxiety, Adjustment Disorder, Bipolar disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Mr. Nacar treats children ages 6+, adolescents, and adults, offering both in-person services and telehealth at Renewed Mental Health Group.
With the collaboration of each patient, Mr. Nacar strives to develop individualized plans of care addressing each patient’s unique situation and concerns. He also encourages each patient to take charge of their mental health through a holistic approach while also employing the latest evidence based practices in treatment.
Clint is one of our most experienced Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners at Orange Coast Psychiatry and is 103NP Licensed in the State of California.
Cristian Cuevas, PMHNP-BC, is a highly skilled board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with over seven years of experience in inpatient psychiatry and mental health.
A California State University Long Beach graduate, Cristian also earned recognition as a board-certified psychiatric mental health registered nurse. With a wealth of expertise in adult psychiatric care across the lifespan, Cristian has successfully diagnosed and treated a diverse range of mental health disorders.
Additionally, his specialized experience in child and adolescent inpatient populations further enhances his ability to provide comprehensive and compassionate mental health care.
Cristian Cuevas is the Lead Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry and is supervised by Dr Barrios.
