Frequently asked Questions Everything You Need to Know
About Psychiatric Care in Tijuana

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

Most new patients are seen within 3 to 5 business days. Compare this to the 2-to-6-month wait that is common for psychiatrists in San Diego and California. In urgent situations, please mention it when you contact us so we can prioritize.

The initial evaluation lasts a full 60 minutes. This includes a detailed clinical interview, diagnostic assessment, treatment plan discussion, and prescription if clinically indicated. All follow-up visits are also 60 minutes — not the rushed 15-to-20-minute medication checks typical in the U.S. system.

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 (Google Meet) 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. All visits are by appointment only. WhatsApp messages outside office hours are answered the next business day.

Bring a valid photo ID, a list of current medications with doses, any previous psychiatric evaluations or records if available, and recent lab work if you have it. If a family member has been observing your symptoms, you are welcome to bring them along — but it is not required.

Yes. Our office is in New City Medical Plaza in Zona Río — Tijuana's safest and most developed commercial district. This is where the U.S. Consulate, major hospitals, and international corporate offices are located. The building has 24-hour security, controlled access, and underground parking. Thousands of Americans cross the border daily for medical care.

Drive south on I-5 to the San Ysidro border crossing (about 20 to 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). View on Google Maps.

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 to 15 minutes. Returning to the U.S. varies: with SENTRI, under 5 minutes; in the general lane, 15 to 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. Dr. Cedillo and the entire team are fully 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 Río 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. Clear written prescriptions are provided in English with international medication names so they are easy to identify at customs. It is wise to declare your medications at the border.

Generally, yes — often significantly cheaper. 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 and brand.

Controlled substances — including stimulants and benzodiazepines — can be prescribed when clinically indicated based on a thorough evaluation. Every prescription decision is based on medical necessity, not patient request. No specific medication is guaranteed before evaluating your condition.

Board-certified psychiatrist. Medical degree at UNAM (Mexico's top university). 4-year psychiatric residency at Hospital Psiquiátrico Fray Bernardino Álvarez — one of Latin America's leading psychiatric institutions. Cédula Profesional 11206254 and Cédula de Especialidad 13577158. Certified by the Consejo Mexicano de Psiquiatría (Mexican Board of Psychiatry).

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

The number of patients seen each day is deliberately limited to ensure thorough, unhurried evaluations. Every visit is 60 minutes — initial, follow-up, or online. No double-booking. When you are in the office, you have my complete attention.