What is your favorite music:   My taste in music is all over the place. I love folk/alternative rock, R&B, blues, jazz, country, EDM, reggae, and even cumbias/reggaeton. Some of my favorite artists are Alicia Keys, Maná, Fleetwood Mac, Local Natives, The 1975, Goth Babe, and The Weeknd. Basically, I’ve got a playlist for every mood.

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Favorite superhero: That’s easy—my mom! She’s the most loving, supportive, and selfless person I know. She immigrated from Mexico in her early 20s, not knowing English, with just a few coins in her pocket and a sweater on her back. Despite all the challenges she faced, including severe respiratory issues and anxiety/depression, she always made sure my brother and I had a home-cooked meal on the table and felt so loved. She taught me to never judge a book by its cover and to always share a smile. I’m beyond proud to be her son and would choose her as my mom in every lifetime.

But, okay, I’ll admit—Superman is pretty cool too!

 

If you could have a superpower, what superpower would you pick: Telekinesis, hands down! I mean, think about it—you could lift yourself and others to fly anywhere. No more chores either; you could clean the house just by thinking about it! Plus, you could control the elements if you really wanted to go all-out. It’s the ultimate power.

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Tell us about your pets: Of course! I have three amazing dogs:

    •    Molly: She’s a 7.5-year-old white Labrador Retriever and the sweetest, most gentle soul you’ll ever meet. Molly is always wagging her tail with a toy in her mouth and is perpetually hungry. She originally belonged to my husband, but after seven years, she’s 100% my dog too. Her nicknames are Mammas and Moo Moo.
   •    Levi: Levi is a 6.5-year-old red Shiba Inu, and honestly, he’s more like a cat than a dog. He’s super smart (sometimes too smart) and loves nothing more than napping. If I lie down, he’s instantly snuggling and snoozing right beside me. Levi was a birthday gift from my husband because I’d always dreamed of having a Shiba. His nicknames are Shiba Shiba, Inu, and Shibs.
   •    Olive: Olive is a 2-year-old red Goldendoodle and the biggest cuddle monster you’ll ever meet. She’s like my shadow—always following me around and needing to be close. Every morning, she jumps onto the bed and lays on my chest before I even get up. She’s obsessed with ice and carrots and was the runt of her litter (and the only red one!). Her nicknames are Beanie, Bean, and Oliebean.

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If you had 3 wishes, what would you wish for:    

1    A world with no pain, suffering, hunger, fear, or hate. Everyone deserves to feel understood and validated. We could all use more love, empathy, and smiles.   

2    For all animals to feel loved, safe, and free.   

3    To be able to communicate across all languages, cultures, and even species—imagine how much we’d learn from each other!​

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Fun fact about you:  I LOVE dogs—like, seriously love them! When I was a kid, I wanted to be a veterinarian just so I could play with dogs all day. My family used to breed Rottweilers, and I’d often go “missing” only to be found cuddling in the whelping pens. Even now, I can’t resist running up to a dog I see and giving them all the pets and hugs. Recently, my friends threw me a surprise birthday party, and the theme was Shiba Inus (my favorite breed). It was honestly the best day ever!

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What are ways beyond medication that can improve your mental health? Making time for daily self-care is huge! Yoga, massage, aromatherapy, and mindfulness meditation are my go-to recommendations. Getting outside and soaking up some nature is also underrated—it’s one of the best free medicines out there. And sleep! Good sleep is non-negotiable. If you’re not sleeping well, people are more likely to feel anxious, fatigued, and depressed, with poor concentration, paranoia, or even hallucinations. If a patient comes to me feeling off, I always ask about their sleep first.

 

You've mentioned being passionate about working with those with religious or cultural trauma -- can you tell us about that?   Growing up as a gay, first-generation Mexican-American in a deeply religious environment was really tough. I’ve experienced firsthand how damaging religious and cultural trauma can be to someone’s mental health. Because of those experiences, I feel so passionate about helping others who’ve been through similar struggles. Everyone deserves to feel loved and accepted—no matter where they come from or what they’ve been through.

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Are medications lifelong? Does a patient who sees you HAVE to be on medication?

Mental health treatment looks different for everyone. I’m a big believer in therapy, but if you want medication, I’ll support you. If you don’t, that’s okay too. I’ll always give my professional opinion and recommendations, but at the end of the day, it’s your choice. Medications can be lifelong for some people, but not for others. If you decide to stop taking medication, I’ll help you do it safely. You don’t have to be on medication to work with me—I also offer therapy as a standalone option.

 

If a patient is nervous about an evaluation, especially when talking about tough things like trauma or sexual abuse, what would you want them to know? I’m here to support you, not judge you. My goal is to create a safe, comfortable space where you feel heard. Think of an evaluation as more of a conversation—it’s not an interrogation. I’ll check in with you throughout to make sure you’re okay. And if there’s something you’re not ready to talk about, that’s completely fine. My hope is to build trust so that, whenever you’re ready, we can explore those things together.

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How do you feel about marijuana?   I’m cool with it—just let me know if you’re using it! Knowing how much and how often helps me tailor your treatment, especially when choosing medications, since some interact with cannabis. At the end of the day, do what makes you happy and healthy—just aim for moderation, as with everything else.

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What are your thoughts about treating adult ADHD? Adult ADHD is real, and it doesn’t just affect kids. Adults (and even older adults) can experience ADHD too, sometimes for the first time in life. Living with ADHD often feels like your brain is juggling 10,000 things at once, making it hard to focus. I’ll work with you to find the best treatment plan that works for your unique needs.

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Do you have any personal mental health experiences you can share with us?  Absolutely! I’ve always been an anxious person, even as a kid, and I’ve gone through some significant traumas that led to anxiety, depression, and PTSD. I’m currently on Lexapro for my anxiety, and it’s been such a game-changer. I share my experiences openly because I want to help reduce the stigma around mental health.

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