Psychiatry, La Jolla

Psychiatric care that sees the whole person.

Thoughtful care for depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, trauma, and other mental health concerns. Backed by advanced treatments when standard therapies fall short.

Led by Dr. Peyman Tashkandi, board-certified psychiatrist. Integrated with our internal medicine, neurology, and women’s health teams.

begin with a
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Our Approach

Care that begins with understanding.

We believe effective psychiatric treatment begins with understanding the whole person, not just a diagnosis.

At Essenza Wellness, psychiatric care is built around the patient first and the prescription second. We take the time to understand your history, your goals, and the patterns of thought, mood, and behavior that shape your daily life. Only then do we build a treatment plan with you.

Our care is thoughtful, evidence based, and individualized. We work alongside our internal medicine, neurology, and women’s health teams to address the full picture of your mental and physical health. Sleep, hormones, metabolic health, and stress all shape how you feel. Treating them in coordination, rather than in isolation, is the foundation of our work.

Whether you are seeking medication management, advanced treatment for depression that has not responded to standard care, or simply a more thorough psychiatric experience, our goal is the same. To help you feel better, function better, and live a life that is your own.

Conditions We Treat

Care for a wide range of mental health concerns.

Our psychiatric team treats adults across the full spectrum of mood, anxiety, and behavioral health conditions. Every plan is tailored to the individual.

Depression

Major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and treatment resistant depression. Evidence based medication and advanced therapies when standard care has not been enough.

Anxiety Disorders

Generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, and health anxiety. Care that addresses both immediate symptoms and the underlying patterns.

ADHD

Adult ADHD evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. Medication management paired with practical strategies for focus, organization, and daily function.

OCD

Obsessive compulsive disorder and related conditions. Evidence based pharmacological care alongside thoughtful coordination with therapy.

Trauma & PTSD

Post traumatic stress disorder, acute stress, and trauma related conditions. Care that respects the pace and complexity of healing.

Mood Disorders

Bipolar spectrum disorders and other complex mood conditions. Long term medication management with close monitoring and adjustment over time.

Sleep & Mental Health

The link between sleep, mood, and cognition is profound. We coordinate with our neurology team on insomnia and sleep related conditions.

Perimenopausal Mood Changes

Hormonal transitions deeply affect mood, sleep, and cognition. We coordinate with our women’s health team for integrated care during these years.

Stress & Burnout

High functioning patients carrying the cost of chronic stress. Thoughtful evaluation, practical support, and treatment when clinically appropriate.

Not seeing your concern listed? Reach out. We treat a wider range of conditions than we can list here.

Medication Management

Thoughtful psychopharmacology, tailored to you.

Medication should solve more than it costs. Our approach is precise, conservative, and built around how you actually feel and function in your life.

i.

Comprehensive Evaluation

A thorough first visit that looks at history, lifestyle, medical context, and current symptoms before any prescription is written.

ii.

Evidence-Based Treatment

Medications chosen with care, based on what the research actually supports for your specific condition and presentation.

iii.

Close Monitoring

Steady follow up to track response, manage side effects, and adjust treatment as you and your body respond.

iv.

Integrated With Your Whole Health

We coordinate with our internal medicine, neurology, and women’s health teams so your psychiatric care fits the rest of your life.

Advanced Treatments

When standard care has not been enough.

For patients with depression that has not responded to traditional treatment, Essenza offers two leading FDA-cleared options. Both are delivered in our office under close clinical supervision.

Treatment One

TMS Therapy

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

TMS uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate the areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. It is non-invasive, requires no anesthesia, and patients return to normal daily activities immediately after each session.

  • FDA cleared for depression and other conditions
  • No medication, no anesthesia, no sedation
  • Performed in office over a treatment course
  • Patients drive home and return to work the same day

TMS is typically recommended for adults with depression that has not improved with at least one standard antidepressant. A psychiatric evaluation is required to determine if TMS is right for you.

Learn About TMS Therapy
Treatment Two

Spravato Therapy

Esketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression

Spravato (esketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray ketamine therapy for adults with treatment-resistant depression. It works through a different mechanism than traditional antidepressants, offering many patients a faster path to relief.

  • FDA approved for treatment-resistant depression
  • Administered under medical supervision in our office
  • Each session is closely monitored for safety
  • Often produces relief faster than oral antidepressants

Spravato is for adults with treatment-resistant depression who meet specific clinical criteria. Eligibility is determined through a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. Treatment is delivered in office through a certified REMS program.

Learn About Spravato Therapy
What to Expect

From first conversation to lasting care.

Psychiatric care should feel calm and clear from the very first visit. Here is what working with our team looks like, step by step.

01 Step One

Initial Consultation

We meet to learn about your story, your concerns, and what you hope to get out of psychiatric care. There is no pressure and no rush.

60 minutes
02 Step Two

Comprehensive Evaluation

A thorough psychiatric assessment. We review your full history, current symptoms, prior treatments, and the medical context that shapes how you feel.

90 minutes
03 Step Three

Personalized Plan

We sit down and walk through a treatment plan built around your goals. You leave with clear next steps and full understanding of what each one means.

60 minutes
04 Step Four

Ongoing Care

Steady follow up to monitor progress, adjust treatment as needed, and coordinate with our internal medicine, neurology, and women’s health teams.

Lifelong
Is This Right For You

Psychiatric care for adults across every stage.

We treat adults across a wide range of mental health concerns and life circumstances. Our patients often share one thing in common. They want care that is more thoughtful, more accessible, and more deeply personalized than what they have found elsewhere.

If any of these sound like you, we would welcome the conversation.

  • Adults seeking thorough psychiatric evaluation and treatment
  • Patients managing depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, or trauma
  • Individuals who have not responded to standard antidepressants
  • High functioning professionals carrying chronic stress
  • Women navigating hormonal transitions and mood changes
  • Patients wanting psychiatric care integrated with their primary health
  • Anyone seeking medication management with close monitoring
  • Adults exploring TMS or Spravato for treatment-resistant depression
Frequently Asked

Common questions about psychiatric care.

What conditions does Essenza Wellness treat?
Our psychiatric team treats adults across a wide range of mental health conditions. This includes depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, OCD, trauma and PTSD, mood disorders including bipolar spectrum, sleep-related mental health concerns, perimenopausal mood changes, and stress related conditions. We also offer advanced treatments such as TMS and Spravato for treatment-resistant depression.
Who is the lead psychiatrist at Essenza Wellness?
Psychiatric care at Essenza Wellness is led by Dr. Peyman Tashkandi, a board-certified psychiatrist. Care is delivered in coordination with our integrated team across internal medicine, neurology, and women’s health, so your psychiatric care fits the rest of your health.
What is TMS therapy and who is it for?
TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate the areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. It is typically recommended for adults with depression who have not improved with at least one standard antidepressant. TMS requires no medication, no anesthesia, and patients return to normal daily activities immediately after each session. Learn more about TMS therapy.
What is Spravato and how does it work?
Spravato (esketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray ketamine therapy for adults with treatment-resistant depression. It works through a different mechanism than traditional antidepressants and can produce relief faster than oral medications. Spravato is administered in our office under close medical supervision through a certified REMS program. Learn more about Spravato therapy.
How is Essenza psychiatry different from a traditional practice?
Most psychiatric practices schedule short follow-up visits and rely on limited time per patient. At Essenza, our concierge model means longer visits, direct access, and close coordination with your other physicians. Our psychiatric care is integrated with internal medicine, neurology, and women’s health, so the factors that shape how you feel are addressed together rather than in isolation.
Do you accept insurance for psychiatric care?
Essenza Wellness operates on a concierge membership model. Many psychiatric services delivered within your membership can still be billed to your insurance plan based on coverage. Specific advanced treatments such as Spravato may have separate billing considerations. We are happy to walk through how membership and insurance work together during your initial inquiry.
Do you treat patients throughout California?
Yes. Essenza Wellness is located at 8950 Villa La Jolla Dr., Suite C212, La Jolla, CA 92037. We serve patients in La Jolla and throughout California, including telehealth options for established patients when clinically appropriate. In-office treatments such as TMS and Spravato require visits to our La Jolla clinic.
How do I get started with psychiatric care at Essenza?
Begin by scheduling a consultation. In your first visit, we discuss your goals, review your history, and outline what care at Essenza would look like for you. From there, a personalized plan is built around your needs. You can reach us at 858-267-4872 or through the new patient inquiry form on our website.
Begin Your Care

Thoughtful psychiatric care, built around you.

Care that listens. A team that knows your whole story. Treatment built around your life. Begin with a conversation.

begin with a
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