There’s a team behind every smile
Owner, founder, and psychiatric nurse practitioner
Hi,
I’m Stephanie, a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and the founder of Nueva Vida Psychiatry. I provide thoughtful, evidence-based psychiatric care for adults across California, with a particular interest in women’s mental health, including anxiety, depression, burnout, life transitions, and mood changes related to the menstrual cycle.
I’m a first-generation Afro-Latina and a mother who understands the weight of carrying many responsibilities. I immigrated to the United States from Panama when I was five years old, and like many first-generation women, I grew up navigating cultural expectations, family responsibilities, and the pressure to succeed.
Those experiences shaped both who I am and how I approach care today. My path into psychiatry was influenced by personal experience and a deep desire to provide the kind of care I once needed. I understand how isolating it can feel to carry everything on your own, and my goal is to make sure you do not have to.
Before founding Nueva Vida Psychiatry, I worked across several areas of healthcare, including labor and delivery, post-operative care, and community mental health. These experiences allowed me to support individuals and families through some of life’s most challenging moments and reinforced my belief that compassionate, thoughtful care can make a meaningful difference.
In our first session, we will take time to understand your story, your symptoms, and your goals. Together, we will develop a personalized treatment plan that may include medication management, integrative strategies that support your overall well-being, and collaboration with other providers when appropriate.
I work closely with therapists, primary care physicians, and other healthcare providers to help ensure care is coordinated and aligned with each patient’s overall needs.
You do not have to have everything figured out. You just have to begin, and I will be here to help guide the process.
Operations Coordinator
Gracy is the friendly voice behind Nueva Vida Psychiatry’s day-to-day operations. From scheduling and intake coordination to answering questions and keeping things running smoothly, she ensures every patient feels welcomed and supported from the very first point of contact. With a background in patient coordination and a genuine passion for helping others, Gracy brings warmth, efficiency, and care to everything she does.
Dr. Gilbert Simas is a board-certified psychiatrist in General Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry with more than 18 years of clinical experience across inpatient, outpatient, and telepsychiatry settings. He completed his psychiatry residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and a fellowship in Addiction Psychiatry at Oregon Health & Science University.
Dr. Gilbert Simas serves as the collaborating physician for Nueva Vida Psychiatry in accordance with California regulations.
Stephanie Larsen, PMHNP-BC provides all direct patient care and treatment through the practice.