About Dr. Dawn Marie Risley
Clientele seen
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Adults (25-64)
Seniors (65+)
Identity
Gender
FemaleLanguages spoken
English
Getting to know Dr. Dawn Marie Risley
Dr. Dawnmarie Risley is a board-certified psychiatrist with over 25 years of experience providing compassionate, evidence-based care to adults with complex mental health needs. She specializes in treating anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and schizophrenia through comprehensive medication management and supportive therapy.
Dr. Risley founded Blue Skies Psychiatry of Mendocino in 2019, offering telepsychiatry services that combine clinical expertise with the convenience of virtual care. Her extensive background includes work in forensic psychiatry, community mental health, and private practice settings across California.
With a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree and board certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Dr. Risley brings a holistic approach to psychiatric treatment. She also serves as Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Western University Health Sciences, where she mentors the next generation of physicians.
Dr. Risley is committed to creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where patients can work toward healing and meaningful change in their lives.
What should a new client know about working with you?
I am a board-certified psychiatrist with 25+ years of experience treating adults with a wide range of psychiatric conditions, including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, PTSD, and psychotic disorders. I practice telepsychiatry exclusively, which means we meet via secure video — no commute, no waiting room, just focused clinical time from wherever you are in California.
My approach begins with a thorough diagnostic evaluation. I take time to understand not just your symptoms but your history, your context, and what has and hasn't worked before. From there, we build a treatment plan together — typically centered on medication management, with regular follow-up to monitor your response and adjust as needed.
I have worked across many clinical environments over my career — community mental health, forensic psychiatry, state hospitals, county systems, correctional facilities — and that breadth shapes how I approach each patient. I do not arrive at easy answers quickly. I am comfortable with complexity, with ambiguity, and with the kind of difficult presentations that other providers sometimes find frustrating.
What patients can expect from me: directness, respect, and a genuine commitment to finding what works for you specifically. I will not manage your symptoms indefinitely without questioning whether we can do better. My goal is stabilization, clarity, and the return of function and quality of life.
I live and practice in the redwood forests of Mendocino County and am deeply rooted in the coastal California community I serve.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
The first appointment is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation — typically 60 minutes. I want to understand the full picture: your current symptoms, psychiatric and medical history, family history, medications you have tried, and what has brought you to this point. I ask a lot of questions, and I encourage you to ask them too.
From that evaluation, I develop a diagnostic impression and share it with you directly. I believe patients deserve to understand their diagnosis, what it means, and why I arrived at it. We then discuss treatment options together, including the risks, benefits, and alternatives of any medication I recommend. You are an active participant in that decision — not a passive recipient of a prescription.
Follow-up appointments are typically 30 minutes and focus on how you are responding to treatment, any side effects or concerns, and whether adjustments are needed. The frequency of follow-up depends on where you are in treatment — more frequent early on, and spacing out as you stabilize.
I practice telepsychiatry exclusively via secure video, so all of this happens from wherever you are in California. Appointments are available Monday through Friday.
My practice is built around long-term relationships. I am not a revolving door. Once we establish care, my goal is to stay with you through the full arc of your treatment — not just until your symptoms improve, but until you are genuinely well.
Is this doctor in your insurance network?
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In-network insurances
Dr. Dawn Marie Risley has 200+ in-network plans.
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It’s common for mental health providers to be out-of-network. Many insurance plans offer out-of-network coverage, so you may get partially reimbursed. Learn more
Education and background
Practice names
Board certifications
- Psychiatry (American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology)
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Education and training
- Medical School - Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
- Loma Linda University Health, Residency in Psychiatry
- BronxCare Health System, Fellowship in Consultation Liaison Psychiatry
- Elizabethtown College (Bachelor's)
NPI number
1144280231
How soon can I make an appointment with Dr. Dawn Marie Risley?
Generally, Dr. Dawn Marie Risley has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Dr. Risley's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Dr. Dawn Marie Risley accepting new patients?
Dr. Dawn Marie Risley generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Dr. Risley's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Dr. Dawn Marie Risley accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Dr. Risley is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Dr. Dawn Marie Risley online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Dr. Risley using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Dr. Dawn Marie Risley work with?
Which board certifications does Dr. Dawn Marie Risley have?
Dr. Dawn Marie Risley is certified by Psychiatry (American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology) and American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
What are common reasons for patients to see Dr. Dawn Marie Risley?
Dr. Dawn Marie Risley frequently sees patients for Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Depression, New Patient Visit, Psychiatry Consultation, and Psychotherapy. You can see other visit reasons for Dr. Dawn Marie Risley on their profile.
What languages does Dr. Dawn Marie Risley speak?
Dr. Dawn Marie Risley speaks English.