Psychiatry in San Diego

Psychiatric Care That Starts With the Right Diagnosis, Not a Prescription

Dr. Mario Salguero is a board-certified psychiatrist and former UC San Diego chief resident. He evaluates thoroughly before he treats, prescribes conservatively, and offers drug-free TMS when medication isn't the right answer. You see the same physician at every visit.

Diagnosis before treatment Conservative medication management Board-certified, MD-PhD psychiatrist Drug-free TMS available in-house

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Why Patients Choose Us

What Sets Us Apart

Diagnosis before treatment

Dr. Salguero evaluates first and tells you what he finds, in plain language, before recommending a plan or writing a prescription.

Medication is a tool, not a default

When medication helps, it's used conservatively and monitored closely. When it isn't the answer, you'll hear that too.

Treats the biology and the person

An MD-PhD with a background in nutrition, Dr. Salguero looks at how the brain works and at the life around it.

Drug-free TMS in the same practice

If a drug-free option is the better path, FDA-cleared TMS is available here, not a referral out to start over.

What We Treat

What We Help With

DepressionFrom first-time depression to complex, long-standing cases.
AnxietyGeneralized anxiety, panic, and the anxious side of depression.
OCDEvaluation and treatment planning for obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Mood DisordersCareful assessment and management of complex mood conditions.
Second OpinionsA fresh evaluation when a current medication regimen isn't working.
Integrative PsychiatryA plan that accounts for lifestyle, nutrition, and overall brain health.

How We Treat It

How Care Works Here

A Full Diagnostic EvaluationA real psychiatric evaluation to understand what's going on and why, before any plan is made.
An Honest Diagnosis and OptionsA clear picture of your real choices, including medication, TMS, or a combination, with no pressure.
Conservative Medication ManagementWhen medication is right, it's used carefully and adjusted based on how you actually respond.
Ongoing, Personal Follow-UpYou see Dr. Salguero at every visit, so your progress is followed by the person who set the plan.
Integrative, Whole-Person CareCare that accounts for sleep, stress, nutrition, and overall brain health, not just symptoms.
Drug-Free TMS When It FitsFDA-cleared TMS is available in the same practice whenever it's the better path.

Meet Your Psychiatrist

Dr. Mario Salguero, MD-PhD

Dr. Salguero is a board-certified psychiatrist who completed his residency at UC San Diego, where he served as chief resident in the Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Medicine unit. He holds an MD-PhD, studied clinical nutrition, and has been recognized for his research, including UCSD's Lewis L. Judd Research Award.

He sees and plans for every patient personally, treating depression, anxiety, and OCD as real medical conditions with real mechanisms.

Board-Certified PsychiatristMD-PhDChief Resident, UC San DiegoClinical Nutrition

How to Get Started

Three Steps to Real Answers

Reach out

Call, text, or send the form. We respond quickly and answer your questions directly.

A full evaluation

You get a thorough psychiatric evaluation with Dr. Salguero and a clear diagnosis before any treatment begins.

Your personalized plan

Medication, TMS, or a combination, chosen for your case and led by Dr. Salguero himself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

What happens at my first visit?

Your first visit is a full psychiatric evaluation, not a rushed intake. Dr. Salguero takes the time to understand your symptoms, history, and goals before recommending any plan.

Do you prescribe medication?

Yes, when it's the right call. Medication is used conservatively and monitored closely. When it isn't the best answer, you'll hear that too, and options like TMS may fit better.

What conditions do you treat?

Depression, anxiety, OCD, and related mood disorders, from first-time concerns to complex, long-standing cases.

Do you offer drug-free options?

Yes. The practice offers FDA-cleared TMS, so a drug-free path is available whenever it's the better fit for you.

Who will I see at each visit?

Dr. Salguero, personally. You see the same physician every visit, so your care is followed by the person who set the plan.

Diagnosis-Driven Psychiatric Care

Choosing a psychiatrist in San Diego is a real decision, and the difference is in the diagnosis. At Brain Strength for Life you work directly with Dr. Mario Salguero, a board-certified, MD-PhD psychiatrist, from your first evaluation onward.

Care is thorough and conservative: a clear diagnosis first, medication only when it earns its place, and a whole-person plan rather than a fifteen-minute medication check. And because the practice also offers FDA-cleared TMS, a drug-free option is available whenever it's the better path.

Here, you work with one physician from your first evaluation through every follow-up, not a rotating team and not a fifteen-minute medication check. Dr. Salguero sets your plan and tracks your progress himself.

For patients across San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, and Carmel Valley, that means care built around your diagnosis, with a drug-free TMS option in the same practice when it's the better fit.