What patients are saying
Overall rating
4.92
Average wait time
4.97
Bedside manner
4.92
“Dr. Pena was very calm and easy for me to speak with. I have felt very judged and mildly disregarded in the past especially with Dr's on zoom calls. It was comforting and I couldn't recommend them enough! ”
JGLess than 1 year ago
“My experience was very pleasant, this was my first time seeing a professional psychologist and Diana Pena was great she made me feel comfortable and at ease with the visit, I would highly recommend her to a friend.”
Christopher L.September 25, 2025Video visit
About Diana Pena
Focus areas
Anxiety
Depression
Psychiatric Medication Management
Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Phobia
Psychiatry Follow Up
Bipolar Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Clientele seen
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Adults (25-64)
Seniors (65+)
Treatment approaches
Motivational Interviewing
Identity
Gender
FemaleEthnicity
Hispanic or Latinx
Languages spoken
English, Spanish
Getting to know Diana Pena
As a compassionate, bilingual (English/Spanish) board-certified PMHNP with over five years of experience, I am dedicated to providing patient-centered mental health care that helps clients achieve their full potential, both physically and emotionally.
I graduated from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and currently provide comprehensive mental health care in an outpatient clinic setting. I specialize in treating Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, ADHD, and other complex psychiatric conditions. I am highly skilled in conducting thorough patient intakes, evidence-based medication management, and have extensive experience with cutting-edge treatments.
My diverse healthcare background spans hospice care, medical case management, and working with vulnerable populations. During my time as Medical Care Manager at El Projecto Del Barrio, I conducted over 360 client assessments and helped increase our HIV undetectable patient population from 47 to over 150. This experience provided a unique perspective on holistic, compassionate care during life's most challenging moments.
I believe in creating a welcoming, culturally sensitive environment where patients feel comfortable expressing themselves in their preferred language. My bilingual capabilities allow me to better serve Spanish-speaking patients and families, ensuring clear communication and breaking down language barriers that often prevent access to quality mental health care.
As an active member of AANP, APNA, and CANP, I stay current with the latest research and treatment modalities. Whether you're seeking help for the first time or optimizing current treatment, I'm committed to working collaboratively with you to develop a personalized, evidence-based care plan that addresses your unique needs and wellness goals.
What should a new client know about working with you?
As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I provide medication management that places your goals, preferences, and lived experience at the center of everything. Clinical expertise matters — but so does seeing you as a whole person, not a diagnosis. That balance is at the heart of how I practice.
Your first appointment will be thorough and unhurried. We'll explore what you're going through — your symptoms, how long they've been present, what eases or intensifies them, and the ways they're impacting your daily life. I'll review your treatment history with genuine curiosity: what has helped, what hasn't, and your own sense of why. We'll also cover your medical background, current medications, family mental health history, substance use, and the stressors and support systems in your life right now. The more complete the picture, the better I can serve you.
Shared decision-making guides every treatment conversation. I walk through medication options clearly — how they work, the evidence behind them, what benefits to realistically expect and when, and how to handle potential side effects. Your perspective isn't an afterthought; it actively shapes the plan we create together. My prescribing follows evidence-based guidelines while remaining flexible, with adjustments informed by both clinical assessments and your direct feedback over time.
I also pay close attention to practical realities. Cost, insurance coverage, generic options, medication interactions, and whether a dosing schedule is realistic for your lifestyle all factor into my recommendations — because a treatment plan only works if it works for your actual life.
Between visits, please don't hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns. I coordinate with your other healthcare providers to keep your care consistent and well-rounded. Clients often share that they appreciate my attentive listening, thorough explanations, and collaborative approach.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
I know that starting medication management for mental health can bring up a lot of emotions—hope, anxiety, uncertainty. My role is to guide you through this process with expertise, compassion, and respect for your autonomy. Our first session together is an in-depth conversation, typically lasting about an hour. I want to understand not just what symptoms you're experiencing, but how they're affecting your quality of life, your relationships, your ability to work or go to school, and your sense of self.
During this initial evaluation, I'll gather a comprehensive history including current symptoms and their timeline, previous diagnoses and treatments, medication trials you've had, medical conditions, family psychiatric history, substance use, trauma history if relevant, and current stressors. I'll also ask about your support system, coping strategies, and what you've already tried on your own to feel better.
Based on this information, I'll share my diagnostic formulation with you, and we'll discuss whether medication might be helpful. I present medication as one tool in a larger toolkit for mental wellness. I'll explain options suited to your specific situation, how they work neurologically, expected benefits and timeline, potential side effects, and how we'll manage them, and any drug interactions or precautions. I encourage questions and ensure you feel informed before making any decisions.
Follow-up appointments allow us to fine-tune your treatment. We'll track symptom improvement using your feedback and sometimes rating scales, monitor for side effects, adjust medications as needed, and discuss how you're functioning overall. I'm also attentive to how life changes—stress, relationships, work situations—affect your mental health.
I view our relationship as a partnership built on trust and communication. I'm here to provide expert guidance while respecting that you know your mind and body best. Together, we'll work toward your feeling better and living fully.
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In-network insurances
Aetna
BlueCross BlueShield
Cigna
UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare Oxford
Office location
Diana Pena, APRN, RN, PMHNP, PMHNP-BC, NP also offers online video visits for patients
Education and background
Practice names
Board certifications
- American Nurses Credentialing Center
Education and training
- Vanderbilt University, Master's in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
NPI number
1053035477
Patient reviews
All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
4.92
Wait time
4.97
Bedside manner
4.92
Your trust is our top concern, so providers can't pay to alter or remove reviews. We also don't publish reviews that contain any private patient health information. Learn more here
39 reviews
Most relevant
Diana has been very helpful and considerate to me and has patiently answered questions and concerns. She is a great doctor!
Less than 1 year agoAM
Very straightforward and no Bs just told me what do I have to do and plan for my wellbeing ,love jet
Less than 1 year agoHL
I really like her! she seems to really care about her patients and I enjoyed connecting with her.
Less than 1 year agoMP
Diana is very attentive to my needs and takes into consideration my input into my care.
Less than 1 year agoEP
She’s amazing off my first appointment, and I’m excited to continue to work with her.
August 29, 2025Elisa V.Verified patientVideo visit
Very straightforward and very Easy to talk to and her professionalism was excellent .
Less than 1 year agoHL
Diana was extremely competent and warm and I felt taken care of.
Less than 1 year agoMS
Diana was very helpful, knowledgeable, and understanding!
Less than 1 year agoAN
Dr. Pena was very calm and easy for me to speak with. I have felt very judged and mildly disregarded in the past especially with Dr's on zoom calls. It was comforting and I couldn't recommend them enough!
Less than 1 year agoJG
My experience was very pleasant, this was my first time seeing a professional psychologist and Diana Pena was great she made me feel comfortable and at ease with the visit, I would highly recommend her to a friend.
September 25, 2025Christopher L.Verified patientVideo visit
It was pleasent to speak with Diana through my issues. She was very warm and welcoming and listened to me. I appreciate her dedication and her expertise.
September 19, 2025Miguel T.Verified patientVideo visit
Diana consistently demonstrates genuine deep care for my physical and mental well-being. She has found a regimen that works for me that no other psychiatrist has been able to. Always very attentive and willing to listen, giving me control over my treatment in a way that is very rarely seen. A million thumbs up!
Less than 1 year agoMM
Diana is kind, attentive, empathetic, and knowledgeable. I feel lucky that I was assigned to her care because she is the best person I've ever gotten to work with in mental health care.
Less than 1 year agoBL
Very easy to talk to, gets to know you and what’s going on before we even discuss any sort of treatment. Will definitely keep seeing her.
Less than 1 year agoLM
She’s very attentive and walkd me through my options! She provided guidance and is easy to discuss my concerns and issues Im having.
Less than 1 year agoND
I was nervous about seeing a new doctor but Diana was welcoming, understanding, and generous in that she spent extra time to get to know me and my history, and made me feel like a person and not a "number" with a time limit. First meeting, but so far so good. I felt she listened to me.
Less than 1 year agoAD
I had seen Diana 9 months ago and she was wonderful then and now. She remembered my situation from before, and we discussed changes to my situation and recent traumas. She then made adjustments to my meds to help with my ADHD and anxiety. I never felt rushed or uncared for and she took the time to listen and give feedback. My teen has issues as well and they will be meeting soon so they can have their issues addressed. I trust her completely and am optimistic about my future.
Less than 1 year agoTW
She was very understanding about my treatment history and was empathetic to my situation. Very professional and a great provider!
Less than 1 year agoJK
Since my first session with Diana I immediately felt more comfortable and confident with her care than any other psychiatrist I have ever seen. I have felt more listened to and heard than in the past and it has been an absolute pleasure working with her on my journey. I don’t feel pressured to do anything I don’t want to, and she always takes my feedback and adjusts my treatment accordingly. I also appreciate how easy the process has been and how prompt they are with making sure that I get seen ASAP and also have my prescriptions on time. Absolutely nothing negative to say about Diana, she is well educated, has great bedside manner, and gave me options to choose from. I would recommend her to anyone looking for psychiatric help. Thank you SO much Diana!!
Less than 1 year agoHS
Great at providing a warm welcoming and trusting environment. Great listener and took the time to get to know me and my struggles.
Less than 1 year agoInitials hiddenVideo visit
Diana promised she “didn’t give up easily” which was promising to hear as i’ve tried a lot of medications. our first session she prescribed one thing after asking me what i wanted to try since she had no ideas, i experienced awful side affects and decided it wouldn’t work for me. the second appointment she offered a medication that traditionally is know to raise blood sugar greatly— i have type one insulin dependent diabetes. after refusal of that she seemed frustrated and said she cannot help me at all and gave up. there was no effort on her part to give me any support.
Less than 1 year agoSS
She’s been incredible from the start. She actually listened to what I was going through and tailored treatment to my needs instead of rushing into a one size fits all solution. I really appreciate how supported I’ve felt under her care. It’s made a big difference for me.
Less than 1 year agoDN
I had a great visit with Diana! I can feel that she genuinely wants to help me with what I am going through and made the atmoshphere non judgemental and very professional.
Less than 1 year agoLO
I met with Diana for the first time a month ago. She really wanted to get to know me and asked very appropriate questions regarding my mental health. I have talked with many psychiatrist in my past. Diana seems to truly care and I plan on continuing to see her. Today was my second visit. It went extremely well.
Less than 1 year agoRD
Diana has been a life saver! She cares a lot about taking care of you the right way and after the experience I had before seeing her, I’m so grateful I found her. She has been a huge help in turning my life around.
Less than 1 year agoJZ
She is amazing
Less than 1 year agoJL
She instantly made me feel comfortable and like she cared. She was just a kind soul, and I would recommend her to anyone needing mental health services!
Less than 1 year agoBL
Diana was very personable and very caring two hear my story. She had many ideas on how I could change my medications to help more with my depression. The time flew by and I have some changes to help me for the future.
Less than 1 year agoKB
Diana was amazing! I have never felt so listened to by a medical provider. Her dedication to helping me was obvious from the start of the session. Theres no cookies cutter or drive through psychiatry with Diana. She truly listens and learns all she can about you then treats each unique patient accordingly. She has renewed by hope in the possibility that I can start to feel more "normal"
Less than 1 year agoAF
Diana is amazing and she’s easy to talk to, listens, and cares. She helped me find the right medication and has been supportive. I do not feel rushed during appointments and she takes the time to explain things. I’m grateful to have found her.
Less than 1 year agoJA
Had a great initial visit with Diana Pena, who was attentive, professional, and informative. Looking forward to continuing to work with her!
Less than 1 year agoGH
Less than 3 months agoInitials hiddenVideo visit
December 9, 2025Kaia W.Verified patientVideo visit
November 29, 2025Initials hiddenVideo visit
Less than 6 months agoInitials hiddenVideo visit
November 6, 2025Kristy C.Verified patientVideo visit
Less than 6 months agoInitials hiddenVideo visit
October 3, 2025Elisa V.Verified patientVideo visit
Less than 1 year agoInitials hiddenVideo visit
How soon can I make an appointment with Diana Pena?
Generally, Diana Pena has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Diana Pena's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Diana Pena accepting new patients?
Diana Pena generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Diana Pena's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Diana Pena accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Diana Pena is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Diana Pena online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Diana Pena using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Diana Pena work with?
Diana Pena works with Mental Health Practitioners.
Where is Diana Pena's office located?
Diana Pena has 2 office locations in San Francisco, view full addresses on Diana Pena's profile.
Which board certifications does Diana Pena have?
Diana Pena is certified by American Nurses Credentialing Center.
What are common reasons for patients to see Diana Pena?
Diana Pena frequently sees patients for Anxiety, Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Depression, New Patient Visit, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Diana Pena on their profile.
What languages does Diana Pena speak?
Diana Pena speaks English and Spanish.
How do patients rate Diana Pena in reviews?
39 patients have reviewed Diana Pena. The overall rating for this doctor is 4.92/5. They have a 4.92/5 rating for bedside manner and a 4.97/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.
Zocdoc›Adult Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioners›Diana Pena, APRN, RN, PMHNP, PMHNP-BC, NP