Choosing a psychiatrist in Sacramento comes down to five checks: the clinician is licensed and, ideally, board certified; they treat your age group and condition; the practice takes your insurance; they offer the treatments you may need beyond medication; and the first visit leaves you feeling heard. "Best" is not a ranking. It is the psychiatrist who fits your situation and whom you can actually get in to see.
This guide walks through each check, with links you can use to verify credentials yourself. If you are looking for a psychiatrist in the Sacramento area now, Sacramento NeuroPsych Associates sees children, teens, and adults in Folsom and Rocklin and by telehealth across California.
Do I need a psychiatrist, a nurse practitioner, or a therapist?
The titles get mixed up, and the right choice depends on what you need.
- Psychiatrist (MD or DO). A medical doctor who completed a residency in psychiatry. Psychiatrists diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe and manage medication, and oversee treatments such as TMS and Spravato. Some complete an additional fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry.
- Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). An advanced-practice nurse with graduate training in psychiatry who evaluates patients and prescribes medication. In many practices, including ours, PMHNPs provide ongoing medication management and work alongside psychiatrists.
- Psychologist (PhD or PsyD). Provides therapy and psychological testing. Psychologists generally do not prescribe medication in California.
- Therapist or counselor (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC). Provides talk therapy. Does not prescribe.
If medication is likely part of your treatment, or you have already tried medication without enough relief, start with a psychiatrist or PMHNP. Many people see both a prescriber and a therapist, and a good practice will coordinate with your therapist when you give consent.
How do I verify a psychiatrist's license and board certification?
Anyone can check these in a few minutes.
- License. Look up MDs on the Medical Board of California's license verification page and DOs on the Osteopathic Medical Board of California's page. Both show whether the license is current and whether there are any disciplinary actions. Nurse practitioners are listed in the Department of Consumer Affairs license search.
- Board certification. Board certification means the psychiatrist passed a national exam after residency and keeps up with continuing education. The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology has a public verifyCERT lookup. Child and adolescent psychiatry is a separate subspecialty certification.
Each provider page on our site describes the clinician's training and credentials, and you can verify current board certification yourself with the lookup above. For example, Dr. Harjot Sekhon and Dr. Manish Aggarwal, the practice's co-founders, are board certified through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and practice child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry.
Does the psychiatrist treat my age group and condition?
Psychiatry is broad. A psychiatrist who mostly sees adults with depression may not be the right fit for a seven-year-old with attention problems, and vice versa.
- For a child or teen, look for a psychiatrist with child and adolescent training. At our practice, Dr. Navneet Khroud and Dr. Lorerky Ramirez-Moya both practice child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry. If ADHD is the question, read what an ADHD evaluation in Sacramento involves before you book.
- For adults, check that the psychiatrist lists your condition. Dr. Samita Chandi and Dr. Smita Reddy practice adult psychiatry and list depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, and ADHD among the conditions they treat. Dr. Rajdeep Ranade brings more than 20 years of experience with mood, anxiety, and trauma-related conditions.
You can browse everyone on our team page. When you call, it is fair to ask which provider the office recommends for your situation.
Does the practice accept my insurance?
In-network care is usually far cheaper than out-of-network, so check this before you fall in love with a profile. Sacramento NeuroPsych Associates accepts many plans, including Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Kaiser, Medicare, Medi-Cal, Optum, Sutter Select, United Healthcare, and Western Health Advantage. The full list is on our insurance page.
Two cautions. First, a practice accepting your plan does not guarantee a specific service is covered; that depends on your benefits and sometimes on prior authorization. Second, some HMO plans require a referral from your primary care doctor before you can see a psychiatrist. Confirm both with your plan before the first visit.
What treatments does the practice offer beyond medication?
If two or more antidepressants have not given you enough relief despite adequate doses and time (often called treatment-resistant depression), this question matters a lot. Some psychiatry practices only prescribe. Others can offer the next step in-house, so you are not starting over with a referral.
At Sacramento NeuroPsych Associates, the options include:
- Medication management for depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, and related conditions, in person or by video.
- TMS therapy, an FDA-cleared, non-medication treatment for depression that has not improved with antidepressants. Dr. Sekhon and Dr. Abhijit Ramanujam are certified in TMS.
- Spravato (esketamine), an FDA-approved nasal spray for adults with treatment-resistant depression, given in the office with monitoring.
- T.O.V.A. testing, a computerized attention test used as part of an ADHD evaluation.
Ask any practice you are considering what happens if the first medication plan does not work.
Is the practice practical for my life?
The best psychiatrist you never see is not much help. Think about:
- Location. Our offices are in Folsom (2150 E. Bidwell St.) and Rocklin (6000 Fairway Dr., Suite 14), with a Natomas office opening soon.
- Telehealth. Follow-up visits and many evaluations can happen by secure video from anywhere in California, which helps if you live far from an office or have a packed schedule.
- Scheduling. Ask about the next available new-patient appointment and whether evenings or early mornings are offered. Wait times change, so call rather than relying on a directory listing.
- Communication. Ask how you reach the office between visits. Our patients use the Patient Ally portal for messages, documents, and appointment details.
What should the first visit be like?
A first psychiatric evaluation at our practice runs 30 to 60 minutes. The clinician asks about your current symptoms, when they started, past treatments and how they went, medical history, family history, sleep, substance use, and what you want to be different. Then they share their impression and discuss options, including non-medication options, and you decide together.
Signs the fit is good: you were able to tell your story without being rushed, the clinician explained the reasoning behind the plan, you know what to watch for and when the next visit is, and you felt comfortable asking questions. If that is not how it went, it is reasonable to try a different provider.
Questions to ask when you call
- Which provider do you recommend for my age and concern?
- Are you in network with my plan, and do I need a referral?
- What is the next available new-patient appointment?
- Can follow-ups be done by telehealth?
- What options do you offer if medication alone does not help?
- How do I reach someone with a question between visits?
If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, do not wait for an appointment. Call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or call 911.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication and order medical tests. A psychologist provides therapy and psychological testing and generally does not prescribe in California. Many people benefit from seeing both.
Do I need a referral to see a psychiatrist in Sacramento?
It depends on your plan. PPO plans usually let you book directly. Some HMO plans require a referral from your primary care doctor. Check with your plan, or call our office at (916) 473-2235 and we will help you sort it out.
Can I see a psychiatrist online in California?
Yes. Licensed California psychiatrists and nurse practitioners can evaluate and treat patients by secure video anywhere in the state. Some situations still call for an in-person visit, and your clinician will tell you if that applies.
How do I know if a psychiatrist is board certified?
Search their name on the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology's verifyCERT site. The listing shows the certification and whether it is current.
Can I switch psychiatrists if the first one is not a good fit?
Yes. Ask the new office what records to send so your treatment history comes with you. Keep taking your current medication as prescribed until the new clinician reviews it with you.
Take the next step
If you are ready to see a psychiatrist in the Sacramento area, request an appointment or call (916) 473-2235. Tell us a little about what is going on, and our team will match you with the provider and office that fit.
