Psychiatrist in Tijuana — bilingual care for San Diego and California
English-speaking psychiatrist specializing in anxiety, depression, and ADHD treatment. In-person consultations at our 25th-floor office in Zona Río, or online telepsychiatry for California residents.
Why California patients are crossing the border for psychiatric care
The numbers tell a story that anyone searching for a psychiatrist in California already knows. According to the California Department of Health Care Access and Information, all 58 counties in California face a shortage of behavioral health professionals. The state needs over 3,700 additional psychiatrists just to meet current demand, and that gap is projected to double by 2033.
For patients in San Diego County, this means wait times of 2 to 6 months for a new patient appointment, 15-minute medication checks that feel rushed, and out-of-pocket costs between $300 and $500 per visit. A 2025 study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that only 18.5% of psychiatrists in the U.S. are accepting new patients, with a median wait time of 67 days for an in-person appointment.
Meanwhile, just 15 minutes south of the San Ysidro border crossing, you can see a board-certified psychiatrist within 3 to 5 days, receive a thorough 60-minute evaluation, and pay $125 USD. This is not a compromise in quality — it's a practical solution to a system that is failing patients across California.
How much does a psychiatrist cost in Tijuana vs. San Diego?
Same quality of care. Same medications. Same DSM-5-TR diagnostic standards. A fraction of the cost.
In-person and online psychiatric care
All consultations last 60 minutes. Same depth, same quality — whether you visit in person or connect via Google Meet.
Initial Visit
Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to establish an accurate diagnosis and design your personalized treatment plan.
- A full hour of clinical time
- Complete psychiatric history and DSM-5-TR evaluation
- Diagnostic assessment with personalized treatment plan
- No pressure to medicate — only if your case truly requires it
- Alternative options if your medication faces shortages
- Extended prescription when clinically appropriate, no extra visit
- Digital consultation summary sent to your email
- Access to private resource library for patients
Follow-Up Visit
Review visit to evaluate your progress, fine-tune medication, and plan the next steps of your treatment.
- 60-minute follow-ups, not the typical 15 to 20
- Comprehensive progress review: sleep, mood, energy, daily function
- Fine medication adjustments and side-effect management
- Alternative options if your medication faces shortages
- Prescription renewal with clear clinical criteria
- Coordination with your therapist if you're in parallel therapy
- Continued access to private resource library
Online Telepsychiatry
Video consultation with the same length and depth as the in-person visit. Ideal if you live outside Tijuana or prefer remote care.
- Same duration and depth as in-person visit
- Private and secure video consultation via Google Meet
- Digital prescription valid at Mexican pharmacies
- Alternative options if your medication faces shortages
- Digital consultation summary sent to your email
- Bilingual care (English/Spanish) at no extra cost
- Access to private resource library for patients
Lobby · New City Medical Plaza
A premium experience from the moment you arrive
Our office is located inside New City Medical Plaza — a modern corporate medical tower in Zona Río, Tijuana's safest commercial district. From the lobby to the 25th floor, every detail is designed to make American patients feel at ease.
Evidence-Based
DSM-5-TR criteria and latest research
60-Min Sessions
Not the rushed 15-min standard
Fully Bilingual
English and Spanish, no extra cost
Transparent Pricing
$125 USD vs $300–500 in San Diego
UNAM Trained
Mexico's top medical school
Premium Location
Zona Río's safest district
Specialized treatment for 8 core conditions
Evidence-based DSM-5-TR protocols for adults and adolescents. Click any condition to learn more about its treatment approach.
Anxiety
Generalized · Social · GAD
ICD-10 · F32Depression
Major · Persistent · MDD
ICD-10 · F90ADHD
Adult · Adolescent
ICD-10 · F41.0Panic Disorder
Panic attacks
ICD-10 · F31Bipolar Disorder
Type I and II
ICD-10 · G47Sleep Disorders
Insomnia · Circadian
ICD-10 · F42OCD
Obsessive-compulsive
ICD-10 · F43.1PTSD
Trauma therapy
Is it safe to see a psychiatrist in Tijuana?
This is the most common question we hear from American patients considering cross-border care, and the short answer is yes. Our office is located inside New City Medical Plaza, a modern corporate medical tower in Zona Río — Tijuana's safest and most developed commercial district. This is where the U.S. Consulate, major hospitals, and international corporations are located.
The building has controlled access, 24-hour security, and underground parking. Thousands of Americans cross the San Ysidro border every day for medical care, dental work, and other services. Our patients from San Diego, Chula Vista, National City, and Oceanside consistently tell us they feel safe and comfortable.
The difference with psychiatric care is that you're not just saving money — you're getting longer appointments, shorter wait times, and a doctor who actually has time to listen.
Ready to take the first step?
No referral needed. No months-long wait. Send us a message and we'll get you scheduled within days.
Transparent and affordable pricing
No hidden fees. No surprise bills. All consultations are 60 minutes.
First Consultation
Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, DSM-5-TR assessment, and personalized treatment plan.
Review Visit
Progress review, medication adjustments, and continued treatment optimization.
Telepsychiatry
Video consultation with the same depth as in-person. For patients outside Tijuana.
Payment methods accepted
What to expect at your first psychiatric visit
Your first appointment lasts a full 60 minutes — not the rushed 15-minute medication check you might be used to in the U.S. During this time, we cover your complete psychiatric history, current symptoms, lifestyle factors, previous treatments, and your goals for care.
I follow the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria used by the American Psychiatric Association, so the language and standards will be familiar to you and to any other healthcare providers you work with in the U.S.
If medication is clinically indicated, a prescription can be provided the same day. You can fill it at a pharmacy in Zona Río before heading back across the border — most psychiatric medications cost significantly less in Mexico than in the United States.
The first visit is always in person at our Tijuana office. After the initial evaluation, follow-up appointments can be conducted via telepsychiatry for established patients when clinically appropriate and where legally permitted.
What our patients say
Verified reviews from real patients across Tijuana, San Diego, and California.
What can I say that hasn't been said? I had such a great experience. Dr. Cedillo is very attentive and truly listened to what I was saying. I felt completely validated in what I was feeling. I never once felt rushed or like I was just another number.
The care Dr. Cedillo provides left me speechless. His thorough explanations, attention to detail, and answers to all my questions put me completely at ease. After seeing 3 other psychiatrists, this is where I'm staying. Do not hesitate to book your first visit.
He is an excellent psychiatrist with great knowledge and vocation, but above all, his quality as a person. He is extremely professional, attentive and committed. He truly takes the time to understand what you're going through.
Dr. Cedillo is a very pleasant and professional person. From the very first moment he makes you feel at ease. His diagnosis was very accurate and the treatment as well. I have no words to describe how much he has improved my life.
I had a very positive experience. He was patient, attentive and genuinely understanding. He took the time to listen to me and made me feel comfortable throughout the entire appointment. I truly appreciated his professionalism and his compassionate care.
Without a doubt the best psychiatrist I've ever been to. He is very kind and above all, he pays great attention to the patient. I recommend him completely.
Can an American see a psychiatrist in Mexico?
Yes. There is no legal restriction preventing U.S. citizens from receiving medical care in Mexico. According to Patients Beyond Borders, over 1.4 million Americans travel to Mexico annually for dental work, surgical procedures, and — increasingly — psychiatric care.
I use the same DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria and evidence-based treatment guidelines used by psychiatrists in the United States. The medications I prescribe 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) back across the border with a written prescription.
Our fees are transparent: $125 USD for the comprehensive 60-minute initial evaluation and $105 USD for follow-up visits. No surprise bills, no hidden charges. We accept credit and debit cards, Stripe, Apple Pay, and cash.
We provide detailed receipts (superbills) with ICD-10 diagnostic codes, CPT procedure codes, and our credentials. Many patients submit these for out-of-network reimbursement under their PPO insurance plans.
How to get here from California
Modern medical facility in Tijuana's premier business district. Look for Suite 24 on the 25th floor.
Drive south on I-5 to the San Ysidro border crossing. After crossing into Mexico, our office is approximately 15 minutes away in Zona Río. If you have a SENTRI pass, crossing time drops to under 5 minutes. You can also take the San Diego Trolley Blue Line to San Ysidro station, walk across the pedestrian crossing, and take a taxi or rideshare to our office in about 10 minutes.
Address: New City Medical Plaza, Paseo del Centenario 9580, Floor 25, Suite 24, Zona Río, 22010 Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
Hours: Monday through Thursday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Saturday 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Friday and Sunday closed.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers for patients considering psychiatric care across the border.
Do I need a referral to schedule an appointment?
How soon can I get an appointment?
How much does a psychiatrist cost in Tijuana?
Can I bring my medications back across the U.S. border?
Are psychiatric medications cheaper in Mexico?
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Can I submit your receipts to my U.S. insurance?
About Dr. Cedillo
Dr. Ernesto Cedillo Ramirez is a board-certified psychiatrist based in Tijuana, Mexico, specializing in bilingual psychiatric care for adults and adolescents. He provides 60-minute consultations for $125 USD initial and $105 USD follow-up at New City Medical Plaza, 15 minutes from the San Ysidro border crossing. His practice serves patients from Tijuana and Southern California — including San Diego, Chula Vista, Los Angeles, and surrounding cities — with treatment for anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, and sleep disorders.
Training and credentials: Medical degree from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico's top medical school. Psychiatric specialty residency at Hospital Fray Bernardino Álvarez, one of Latin America's leading psychiatric institutions. Board-certified by the Consejo Mexicano de Psiquiatría (Mexican Psychiatric Board). License numbers: Céd. Prof. 11206254 and Céd. Esp. 13577158.
Serving patients from San Diego, Chula Vista, National City, San Ysidro, Oceanside, Imperial Beach, Coronado, La Jolla, El Cajon, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Los Angeles, and all of Southern California.
Quick reference: practice facts
Your mental health deserves proper attention
Professional psychiatric care in Tijuana. Bilingual service for patients from Mexico and California. No referral needed, no months-long wait.
Board-certified psychiatrist in Tijuana serving patients from San Diego and all of California. Evidence-based treatment for anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and more.
Office
New City Medical Plaza
Paseo del Centenario 9580
Floor 25, Suite 24
Zona Río, 22010
Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
Hours
Monday – Thursday
10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Friday and Sunday
Closed