Frequently Asked Questions

The easiest way is via WhatsApp at +52 664 484 2218. You can also call us at the same number or email dr.ernesto@doctorpsiquiatra.com. No referral is needed.

Most new patients are seen within 3 to 5 business days. In urgent situations, we do our best to accommodate sooner. Compare that to the 2-to-6-month wait that's common for psychiatrists in San Diego.

The initial evaluation lasts approximately 60 minutes. This includes a detailed clinical interview, diagnostic assessment, treatment plan discussion, and prescription if clinically indicated. Follow-up visits are typically 20-30 minutes.

The first evaluation is always in-person at our Tijuana office. This ensures the most thorough and accurate assessment. After the initial visit, follow-up appointments can be conducted via telepsychiatry for established patients when clinically appropriate and where legally permitted.

Monday through Thursday: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Saturday: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Closed Friday and Sunday.

Bring a list of current medications (including doses), any previous psychiatric evaluations or records if available, and a valid photo ID. If a family member has been observing your symptoms, it can be helpful to bring them along -- but it's not required.

Initial evaluation: $110 USD (60 minutes). Follow-up visits: $95 USD (in-person or telepsychiatry). These are all-inclusive fees -- no hidden charges, no surprise bills.

We do not accept U.S. or Mexican insurance. However, at $110 for a comprehensive first visit, our fees are often less than your insurance copay for a U.S. specialist. We provide a detailed receipt with diagnostic codes (ICD-10) that some patients have successfully submitted for out-of-network reimbursement.

Cash (U.S. dollars or Mexican pesos), credit cards, debit cards, Zelle, Venmo, and bank transfer.

We ask for at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. We understand that border crossing times can be unpredictable -- if you're running late due to the crossing, just let us know via WhatsApp and we'll do our best to accommodate you.

Yes. Our office is in New City Medical Plaza in Zona Rio -- Tijuana's safest and most developed commercial district. This is where the U.S. Consulate, major hospitals, and corporate offices are located. The building has controlled access and security. Thousands of Americans cross the border daily for medical care, dental work, and other services.

Drive south on I-5 to the San Ysidro border crossing (about 20-30 minutes from downtown San Diego). After crossing, our office is 15 minutes away. You can also take the San Diego Trolley Blue Line to San Ysidro, walk across the pedestrian crossing, and take a taxi (about 10 minutes). Our address is New City Medical Plaza, Paseo del Centenario 9580, Floor 25, Suite 24, Zona Rio, Tijuana.

A valid U.S. passport or passport card is required to re-enter the United States. You technically don't need a passport to enter Mexico for a short visit, but you absolutely need one to get back into the U.S. A SENTRI pass also works and significantly speeds up the return crossing.

Entering Mexico by car takes 5-15 minutes. Returning to the U.S. varies: with SENTRI, under 5 minutes; in the general lane, 15-60 minutes depending on the time of day. Early morning and mid-afternoon tend to be fastest. The pedestrian crossing is often quicker than driving.

Not at all. All consultations, prescriptions, and materials are available in English. Our entire team is bilingual. From WhatsApp to your last follow-up, everything can be in English.

Prescriptions are filled at Mexican pharmacies. Most patients fill theirs at a pharmacy in Zona Rio (near our office) before heading back across the border. Major pharmacy chains like Farmacias del Ahorro and Farmacias Similares are well-stocked and staffed by licensed pharmacists.

No. Mexican prescriptions are not transferable to U.S. pharmacies. Medications prescribed in Mexico must be purchased at a Mexican pharmacy. However, the medications themselves are the same internationally recognized compounds available worldwide.

U.S. Customs generally allows individuals to bring a reasonable personal supply of prescription medications (typically up to 90 days) across the border for personal use, provided you have a prescription. I provide clear written prescriptions in English. It's wise to declare your medications at the border.

Generally, yes -- often significantly. Many branded psychiatric medications are available at a fraction of the U.S. cost, and quality generic options are widely available. The exact savings depend on the specific medication.

I can prescribe controlled substances -- including stimulants and benzodiazepines -- when clinically indicated based on a thorough evaluation. Every prescription decision is based on medical necessity, not patient request. I'm transparent about this: I don't guarantee any specific medication will be prescribed before evaluating your condition.

I treat a wide range of psychiatric conditions in adults and adolescents, including ADHD, depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, sleep disorders, PTSD, panic disorder, OCD, psychotic disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, and dementia. Visit our conditions page for the full list.

I treat adolescents (typically age 12 and older). For younger children, I can provide an initial evaluation and referral to a child psychiatrist who specializes in early childhood conditions.

My practice focuses on psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, and medication management. I incorporate psychoeducation into all my sessions, but I don't provide ongoing psychotherapy (like weekly CBT or talk therapy). If you need a therapist, I can recommend English-speaking therapists in San Diego or Tijuana who complement psychiatric care well.

Absolutely. Diagnostic clarification is one of the services I provide most frequently. Many patients come to me because they feel their current diagnosis doesn't fully explain their symptoms, or because treatment hasn't been working as expected. A fresh evaluation with a thorough 60-minute assessment can often shed new light on what's going on.

For psychiatric emergencies, always call 911 (in the U.S.) or go to your nearest emergency room. For non-emergency concerns between appointments -- medication side effects, dosage questions, or clinical concerns -- you can reach us via WhatsApp and we typically respond within hours during business hours.

I'm a board-certified psychiatrist. I completed my medical degree at UNAM (Mexico's top university) and my four-year psychiatric residency at Hospital Psiquiatrico Fray Bernardino Alvarez -- one of Latin America's leading psychiatric institutions. I hold Cedula Profesional 11206254 and Cedula de Especialidad 13577158. I'm certified by the Consejo Mexicano de Psiquiatria (the Mexican Board of Psychiatry).

Yes. I use the DSM-5-TR (the same diagnostic manual used by psychiatrists in the United States) and follow evidence-based treatment guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association, CANMAT, NICE, and other international bodies. The medications I prescribe are the same internationally recognized compounds used worldwide.

I deliberately limit the number of patients I see each day to ensure thorough, unhurried evaluations. Your first visit is 60 minutes, and follow-ups are 20-30 minutes. I don't double-book. When you're in my office, you have my complete attention.