TLDR The Purpose of An Eating Disorder Symbol: It helps us raise and spread awareness about eating disorders An Eating Disorder Symbol Represents: Organizations like NEDA or ANAD The Design Behind The Eating Disorder Symbol: The two lines also represent the curves of the body, alluding to and inducing imagery around eating disorders and how […]
Anxiety and high blood pressure are strongly associated with each other and also are a sign of each other. This means that one can cause the other and vice versa. The onset of anxiety happens due to high blood pressure and high blood pressure can be a leading reason for the manifestation of anxiety signs […]
Daily many people worldwide struggle with different mental health disorders. The list of these mental health disorders is long and never-ending. However, two of the most common ones are bipolar disorder and ADHD. Thus, without professional help, differentiation between the two sometimes becomes almost impossible though their symptoms may vary. The mental health condition of […]
Many people confuse different mental health illnesses as these mental health disorders bear similar signs. Some of the most common ones are sadness, irritability, lack of concentration, and social isolation. Due to such similarity, it is easy to misinterpret one mental health disorder with another. Now, you might have heard so many discussions on mood […]
Dear men, if you feel like you are feeling extreme bouts of different types of moods then you are probably suffering from bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder in men is a pressing matter but somehow is glossed over due to idiotic reasons as it goes unrecognized and the disorder itself undiagnosed. So if you happen to […]
If you are one of the affected individuals who have OCD then you have probably wondered at some point in your life that your OCD thoughts are not real but very much seem real. We’ll help you understand the difference between what is real and what is not when it comes to OCD after going […]
Psychosis in elderly people is a severe mental health condition that can occur as hallucinations, delusions, and sometimes even severe confusion. It is usually rooted in underlying issues such as dementia, depression, or the other side effects of psychiatric medications. Additionally, early detection and accurate mental health treatment are essential in improving the quality of […]
Eating disorders drastically change a person’s perception of their body and eating patterns. They can severely affect a person’s physical health and significant areas of life. Furthermore, there can be several leading factors triggering the onset of eating disorders. This blog provides all the necessary details about eating disorders, their causes, why people have eating […]
Everyone has experienced anxiety or panic at one point in their lives. But when sudden bouts of panic attacks start to happen it means you are probably suffering from panic disorder, which can be a debilitating mental condition and can interfere with your or your loved one’s everyday life. People tend to know that a […]
Any affair, including an emotional one, severely threatens the trust between you and your partner. Gender differences do not limit a readiness to engage in an emotional affair. It is a mistake that both sexes are guilty of having emotional extramarital affairs. However, for some men, depression, as a psychological disorder, can be connected to […]
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.
