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Dr. Alejandro "Alex" Alva of PNS
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A note from our CEO and Medical Director

We are the preferred Orange County Psychiatry team. Our goal is to provide service and compassion like no other. We update our website weekly with new blogs, videos, and psychiatric information. So please take your time, look around, read a blog, learn all there is to know about us, and connect!

-Dr. Alva

Learn More About Us

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Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists

"Because Not All Wounds Are Visible"

image of pacific neuropsychiatric specialists waiting area in orange county

We are Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists (PNS) and our experience enables us to offer effective outpatient, individualized, psychiatry care. Our team provides psychiatric treatments for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors, from multiple offices located throughout Orange County (Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Orange, Santa Ana, and Mission Viejo) – We accept patients from the entire United States, as well. Our psychiatrists treat a number of mental health disorders, including anxiety, stress, PTSD, bipolar, schizophrenia, dementia, depression, ADD ADHD, alcohol and chemical dependency, and more. Our psychiatry practice was founded on the principles of treating patients with care, compassion, and understanding.

Dr. Alex Alva, M.D. of Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists

Alejandro Alva, MD, is the founder, chief medical officer, and CEO of Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists (PNS) – he has been practicing psychiatry for more than 20 years.

Dr. Alva earned his bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fullerton, and completed medical school at Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara School of Medicine in Mexico. He then returned to California, where he completed his psychiatric residency at the University of California, Irvine.

PNS offers Psychiatrists who speak in English, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, French, Greek, and Gujarati.

meet our caring & professional staff

Our Team

Our psychiatry team enhances the well-being of persons with mental, neuropsychiatric disorders, and chemical dependence through optimal clinical care via residential care, partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs and outpatient services. If a more intense approach is needed, we have an ample net of inpatient referrals. PNS treats people who suffer from a wide array of cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and chemical dependence/alcohol disorders. As Orange County’s leading psychiatrist practice we strive to deliver the highest standard of mental health care available to patients anywhere.

Dr. Alva’s pioneering vision of PNS integrates the latest advances in neuropsychiatry, psychiatry, psychoanalysis, psychology, scientific research, social and behavioral therapies, neurochemistry, psychopharmacology as well as non-pharmacological modalities, such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) with the purpose of treating mental illness including chemical/alcohol dependence. We create and use technology – but, we will always care for you as an individual. We are one of the few mental health practices to offer an option for a male and female psychiatrist, as well as a multicultural team.

We are a preferred NeuroStar Transcranial magnetic stimulation TMS provider.

Learn More About NeuroStar TMS

PNS is proud to have participated in the development of a great majority of treatments available to patients today. The practice’s health care professionals include top-trained psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and physician’s assistants with expertise in treating adults, children, adolescents, and seniors. The clinical team takes a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to care. Our psychiatry group is committed to making treatment accessible and is in-network with most insurance carriers. As neuropsychiatrists we look at both the psychiatric and the neurological disorders and how diseases within the nervous system may effect mental disorders. PNS is lead by award winning and internationally recognized psychiatrist Dr. Alejandro Alva.

serving our community

Our Service

It is an honor and a privilege to serve the communities of Orange County. We have purposefully put together a team, who’s passion is to care with a purpose. Our goal is to listen to your big picture, but also to see the unspoken details. Our promise to you is to demonstrate:

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Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists

What We Do

As your Orange County psychiatrist and neuropsychiatrist our promise is to be there for you every step of your journey. We know the psychiatrist services we provide are integral to your well being. We want to help you grow from your struggles, heal from your pain, and move forward, in life, to where you want to be. – That is our goal.

Everyday our psychiatry team works to provide you with a soothing and safe experience. At PNS we not only use the latest technology, we create it. Dr. Alva actively participates in numerous psychiatry clinical trials, develops protocols, and collaborates with leading medical companies to create treatment programs, which are second to none.

Our team of psychiatrists regularly collects data to measure the patient experience, we ask how we can better serve you, and we exceed expectations. Our commitment to you is to deliver not only the best psychiatry care, but actually demonstrate that we care about you, as a person.

Please feel free to call us and see how we can help!

General Psychiatry

Mental Health

Provider Languages

English, Spanish, Gujarati, Arabic, Russian

committed to being the best

Our Treatment Focus

We are committed to being the best psychiatrist practice in Orange County. Our team of psychiatry professionals see patients for a variety of reasons, many reasons include:

Give us a call and find out why we develop long-term psychiatry relationships with our clients and why the patient experience at PNS is second to none.

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Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists

General Psychiatry

Anxiety, depression, and fear are the most common and uncomfortable emotions we, as humans, experience.  In fact, we all deal with these emotions at some point in our lives (on average a major life event happens every 3 years). We utilize a program of counseling and treatment, we work with you to help you recover motivation, perspective, and joy.

Children are most affected by attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, many adults deal with ADHD, as well.  The most common symptoms of ADHD are inattention (not being able to keep focus), hyperactivity (excess movement, which is not fitting to the setting) and impulsivity (these are reactions which may occur in the moment without thought). We will work with you to alleviate the anxiety of ADD and ADHD.

“Because Not All Wounds Are Visible”…it’s not just a phrase that is convenient to say, but it describes the experience and symptoms associated with painful and traumatic circumstances. We treat anxiety, fear, and hopelessness, which are just a few of the emotions, which can linger past traumatic events. We can help you overcome PTSD symptoms and guide you through the process of grief and healing. 

PTSD Treatment may be available with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS Orange County).

Adult mental health problems range from quick bursts of uncontrollable anger and debilitating anxiety to the coping and living with of depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. The team at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists has extensive experience in adult psychiatry, offering comprehensive medical and therapeutic care for the full scope of mental health disorders. We are here to help!

As many as 40 million Americans face Anxiety on a continual basis.  We live in a broken world, the changes we face everyday can be daunting for anyone.  Realize you are not alone and your mental health may just be a reaction to the varied situations you face on a daily basis. Sometimes anxiety lasts a lifetime other times it may come and go due to life events. Our goal is to remove or minimize the symptoms and restore your quality of life.

Bipolar disorder or manic depression is very common.  It may be associated with mood swings ranging from deep depression to manic highs. Bipolar may be caused by genetics, the environment, or altered brain structure or chemistry.  If you are facing challenges of bursts of energy followed by no energy, changes in sleep, changes in motivation, or if you are losing touch with reality, then please give us a call.  Bipolar is more common then you may think and it can be addressed. We know managing these symptoms without the proper help can be overwhelming. Psychiatrists may prescribe medication and treatments for both the manic and depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder.

Interpreting reality abnormally may be a sign of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior, which may impair daily functioning. Often schizophrenia may become debilitating.

Often those with schizophrenia may require treatment, which lasts a lifetime.  Not treating schizophrenia early may make getting symptoms harder to control and complications may develop.

Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health condition, which is marked by a varied combination of schizophrenia symptoms, (such as hallucinations or delusions), and mood disorder symptoms, such as depression or mania.

There are two types of schizoaffective disorder — you may experience symptoms of schizophrenia, as well.

  • Bipolar type, which includes episodes of mania and sometimes major depression
  • Depressive type, which includes only major depressive episodes

Dementia symptoms often affect memory, thinking and social abilities. The symptoms of dementia may be severe enough interfere with your daily life. Science believes dementia may not be a specific disease, rather a combination of several different mental health disorders.

Memory loss alone doesn’t mean you have dementia.

Sometimes through medication and treatment dementia symptoms may be reversible.

We all metabolize medications differently, sometimes the right dose for one person may not be the right dose for another.  In fact, slow metabolizers may not require as much of a medication as a fast metabolizer.  We may perform medication management if the right drug interaction is not giving us the anticipated result.  Sometimes you may need a different version of the same medication.

Alcohol or chemical dependency is the abuse of alcohol or chemicals despite negative consequences. Both alcohol and chemical abuse are toxic to not only your body, but your mind, as well. Often we see disastrous effects in a person’s health and personal life.  On the physical side prolonged abuse can cause organ failure and death… on the mental side we see families ripped apart, wounded relationships, and other forms of abuse.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive procedure, which uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. TMS may be used in conjunction with medication, therapy, and sometimes when other treatments haven’t been effective.

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Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists

Child Psychiatry/Family Psychiatry

When working with children an adolescent psychiatrist diagnosis and treats disorders of thinking, feeling and/or behavior affecting children, adolescents, and their families. Our child psychiatrists have been specially trained to work on a level, which is understandable to children. Specifically, our mental health team has advanced medical education, additional professional ethics, and a higher level of medical responsibility for providing comprehensive care.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common psychiatry mental disorders affecting children. ADHD also affects many adults. Symptoms of ADHD include inattention (not being able to keep focus), hyperactivity (excess movement that is not fitting to the setting) and impulsivity (hasty acts that occur in the moment without thought).  

Nearly 20% of all children under the age of 12  have tried or used illicit drugs and almost 10% have misused a prescription medication. Another 6% have used alcohol to the point where their body developed a dependency. As psychiatrists, we work with young children everyday who have experienced abuse, often they are coping with stress or trauma.  This is an age where it is especially important to show we care, we understand, we come alongside the child and work on corrective behaviour.

our patients love us

Google Psychiatrist Reviews

4.8/5

403 reviews

“I have been with PNS for several years and really enjoy my connection with my doctor. Jennifer is really kind and professional and is very serious about her patients. I feel safe and comfortable with my relationship with her and her advice and knowledge. It’s a great place.”

5/5

Deena Sinclair

“Easily, hands down Dr. Alva and his team are the best psychiatrists we have ever had. Dr. Alva is a brilliant doctor who thinks outside the box, listens and has a superb knowledge of pharmaceuticals. He is warm, engaging, and puts my challenging teen immediately at ease.”

5/5

J.Z. Keegan

” I am very pleased with the care that has been shown to me by Dr Alejandra Alva, Sheena, and Samantha. Even the receptionists have been understanding and helpful Everyone has been so wonderful in this office, and they really care about the difficulties that I have faced while under their care. I highly recommend this office for one’s support and care in their spiritual and emotional and mental health needs. A big thank you to all in this practice/office for their concern and care. “

5/5

Angela Pagnanelli

” Very Excellent experience here! Everyone is friendly and really makes you feel important while being there. One of the bests places with the best people I’ve seen in a long time. Andrew Johnson is very involved and makes you feel heard about symptoms or concerns with medication. Felt heard and understood when i left my appointment! “

5/5

Gabriella Rodriguez

our patients love us

Yelp Psychiatrist Reviews

“I have been seeing Dr Alex Alva for quite a while. He is very professional and really cares for his patients. He is very patient and listens to what you have to say. The whole staff is also very nice and professional. I would definitely recommend him.”

5/5

Carrie J.

“Have consulted with Dr. Alejandro Alva for about two years now.  I am extremely satisfied with the level of professionalism of Dr. Alva and his office.   Dr. Alva is an experienced, caring doctor, who is able to address all of one’s concerns, thoroughly and in depth.   His excellent track record and personable manner enable one to trust him and closely heed his advice and suggestions.

The office staff are friendly and responsive; they generally will respond to any query within twenty-four hours.   I can recommend Dr. Alva highly to anyone seeking the help of a knowledgeable and caring psychiatrist.”

5/5

Rathi K.

” I never would want to go anywhere else. This place treats you like family! I love it here. I love my doctor so much and have been seeing her for years (Jenn Sebastian). The staff and doctors genuinely care about their patients, are efficient, and do their very best every single day! Everyone is so kind and professional. It’s been a blessing to be a patient here.”

5/5

Lexi C.

5 stars are not enough to describe this man. What a kind man, his knowledge is outstanding. See someone at PNS. His staff is amazing as well!”

5/5

Markus P.

our patients love us

Facebook Psychiatrist Reviews

5/5

Based on the opinion of 8 people

“Compassionate expert professionals! They care about their patients and it shows!”

5/5

Rigo Brueck

“Dr Alva is the best. And everyone who works there is very professional and kind I recommend it always God Bless you and thank you.”

5/5

Luz Marina Bustos

“They saved my life. I was so sick I couldn’t stand it. No place could help but this place. Thank you Alva.”

5/5

Peggy Ellis

” The world needs more of their kind of professional care. People can really heal here.”

5/5

Luke Caleb Lamar

Orange County

Psychiatrist Locations

PNS Accepted Insurances

Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists

Psychiatry Locations

Orange County, California

Psychiatrist, Neuropsychiatrist, Psychiatry, Psychologist

Psychiatrist treating: Anxiety, ADHD, Addiction, Alcoholism, Alzheimer’s Disease, Anger Management, Behavioral Issues, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality, Chemical Dependency, Codependency, Dementia, Depression, Drug Abuse, Dual Diagnosis, Emotional Disturbance, Grief, Narcissistic Personality, Insomnia or Sleep, Obesity, Obsessive Compulsive (OCD), PTSD, Schizoaffective Disorder, Schizophrenia, Self-Esteem, Self-Harming, Sexual Disorders, Social Anxiety, Stress Issues, Substance Abuse, and Trauma.

Our team treats various mental health disorders including: Neuropsychiatry Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder, Factitious Disorders, Hypochondria, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Kleptomania, Normal Stress, Adjustment Disorder, Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders.

Neuropsychiatrist treating: Seizures, ADHD Disorders, Cognitive Deficit Disorders, Palsies, Uncontrolled Anger, Migraine Headaches, Addictions, Eating Disorders, Depression, Anxiety, Mania, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Visual Hallucination, Auditory Hallucination, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Eating Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) .

Psychiatrist treating: Child Anxiety, ADHD,  Addiction, Depression, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Conduct Disorder (CD), Tourette Syndrome, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Developmental Disabilities, Language Disorders, Learning Disorders, Underage Drinking, Substance Abuse.

We work with various treatments and therapies – depending on the needs (and wants) of the patient. Therapies may include brain stimulation therapies, psychological treatments, integrated care, meditation, medications, psychotherapies, therapy, counseling, and other forms of psychiatric treatments.

Contact Us

We're Here for You!

Please contact us with questions
or requests for an appointment.
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