Find a psychiatrist in Pleasanton, CA — covered by insurance

I am Sharon Atwood, a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Adult Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of dedicated clinical experience. I hold active, unrestricted licenses in Florida, New York, California, and Idaho, and I specialize in serving adults aged 18 and older through both telehealth and outpatient settings.

My educational foundation reflects a lifelong commitment to excellence. I earned my Associate in Science and Diploma in Nursing before completing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology magna cum laude from Kean University. I then pursued my Master of Science in Nursing from Florida Atlantic University and a Post-Master's Certificate in Psychiatric-Mental Health from the University of Miami, both achieved summa cum laude. I maintain dual board certifications through ANCC and AANP, and I am a proud member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, and the California Association of Nurse Practitioners.

My clinical background spans diverse settings, including adult and geriatric primary care, inpatient psychiatry, crisis intervention, hospital consultation, assisted living environments, and outpatient psychiatric medication management. This breadth of experience equips me to confidently address a wide range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, OCD, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, sleep disturbances, and complex co-occurring presentations. I welcome individuals with treatment-resistant symptoms.

My approach is collaborative, evidence-based, and rooted in genuine partnership. I combine psychiatric medication management with integrative health practices, examining how sleep, nutrition, exercise, stress, and social connection shape your overall wellbeing. I believe that meaningful progress flourishes when expert care is paired with healthy lifestyle.

With over three decades of hands-on clinical and nursing leadership experience, I am a Doctorally prepared and Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. My professional journey has been devoted to helping individuals overcome emotional distress, regain control of their lives, and achieve mental and physical well-being.

With certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration, I bring a holistic, integrative perspective to mental health. My practice philosophy blends evidence-based psychiatric medicine with empathy, respect, and patient collaboration. Healing begins with understanding, and I take time to listen, educate, and partner with my patients to develop individualized, sustainable treatment plans.

Dr. Adatsi has a clear mission: to provide comprehensive care that not only alleviates symptoms but also enhances quality of life, restores confidence, and promotes resilience. His commitment to your well-being is unwavering.

Whether you’re navigating life transitions, managing chronic stress, or seeking clarity amid emotional challenges, I’m here to guide you toward balance, stability, and renewed hope.

Specialties:

• Anxiety and Panic Disorders
• Depression and Mood Disorders
• ADHD (Adult and Adolescent)
• Trauma and PTSD
• Bipolar Disorders
• Sleep Disorders

Hello! I am a board-certified psychiatrist with extensive international clinical, research, and academic experience.

I completed my psychiatry residency at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, following a Clinical Neuroscience of Mood Disorders Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. Earlier in my career, I practiced as a psychiatrist in Istanbul, Turkey, after completing my medical degree at Ankara University School of Medicine.

Dr. Jazi graduated from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2006. He had a strong enthusiasm for studying the brain function. Therefore, he decided to join a neuroscience research lab at the University of Bremen in Germany in 2007. In 2009, he joined a graduate program at the Barrow Neurological Institute at Arizona State University to further study the brain and expand his studies in the field of neuroscience. He has presented in many neuroscience conferences and has published several papers in scientific journals. For a list of his papers please click here.

His research background in the field of neuroscience was extremely helpful in understanding mental health disorders. His enthusiasm to help patients and families dealing with mental health problems was an important motive to start his training in psychiatry. In 2014, he joined the Psychiatry Residency Program at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine in Roanoke, Virginia. During his residency training he was working in both academic and community settings with a variety of patient populations. Having special interest in mental health disorder in older adults, after graduating from residency in Adult Psychiatry, he did a fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where he was trained more specifically to take care of older adults with mental health disorders. He graduated from Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship at UCLA in 2019 and shortly after he began his private practice.

Dr. Jazi is a culturally competent psychiatrists and psychotherapist, meaning that he is comfortable addressing issues like developmental disabilities, disabilities that develop later in life, national origin, racial identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, etc. He is also very familiar with Middle Eastern cultures. He speaks Farsi fluently, and he provides psychotherapy and medication management in both English and Farsi.

I am a dual board-certified Nurse Practitioner specializing in both Family Practice and Psychiatric Mental Health. With a foundation in whole-person, evidence-based care, I integrate medical management with psychotherapy and lifestyle interventions to support mental and physical wellness.

My background spans outpatient psychiatry, primary care, home health, and assisted living settings, allowing me to understand the unique needs of patients across all stages of life. I have extensive experience treating mood and anxiety disorders, trauma-related conditions, and chronic medical comorbidities that impact emotional well-being.

I believe in creating a collaborative, compassionate, and culturally sensitive environment where patients feel heard and empowered to take an active role in their care. My approach focuses on building balance—supporting both the mind and body—through medication management, therapy, and integrative care strategies.

With over a decade of acute care experience as a Registered Nurse and a Master’s degree as a Psychiatric Mental

Health Nurse Practitioner, I specialize in treating mood disorders, anxiety, PTSD, neurodiversity, and medication

management.

Trained in a State Hospital in a borough in New York City

You may look like you have everything together—but internally feel overwhelmed, anxious, or mentally exhausted. I work with adults, teens, and children navigating anxiety, ADHD, burnout, and mood concerns. Many of my clients are high-functioning individuals seeking more thoughtful, personalized care after feeling rushed or unheard in the past. I offer longer, collaborative visits focused on truly understanding you—not just managing symptoms. Treatment may include medication, along with lifestyle and therapy recommendations. If you’re looking for a more intentional, personalized approach, I’d love to connect.

Dr. Helder Araujo is a board-certified psychiatrist in California whose work bridges psychiatry, neuroscience, and education

Originally from Portugal, he completed medical school and began training in neurology before moving to the United States. He earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Southern California (USC). He has also taught at colleges and universities, an experience he deeply values.

Dr. Araujo completed psychiatric training to pursue his passion: helping adults in California manage their mental health challenges.