Your Gateway to Wellness in Lemon Grove
Lemon Grove sits just east of San Diego. It’s known for the giant lemon, quiet parks, and sunny streets. Neighbors wave, kids play, and the trolley hums by. But even in a friendly town, stress can feel heavy. Do mornings feel too hard? Do nights feel too long? At Alter Behavioral Health, we give you space to rest and heal. Would it help to have calm around you? Would it help to have people who care?
Maybe you’ve stood by the big lemon and tried to laugh. Did the worry still sit in your chest? Did your thoughts still spin? Stress can show up anywhere—on Broadway, in the market, or while walking through Berry Street Park. You don’t have to fight it alone. Our homes near Lemon Grove are quiet and safe. Do you want a private room just for you? Do you want a clear plan that feels simple?
Healing feels better in a place that feels safe. That’s why our homes are calm, not clinical. Here you’ll find:
Do you relax better when a space feels like home? Do you feel lighter when someone listens without judgment?
Do you smile at work but cry in the car? Do you tell friends “I’m fine” when you’re not? That’s hard. Here, you don’t have to pretend. We listen. We teach simple tools you can use outside. And we cheer for small wins. Would a breathing trick help when you ride the trolley? Would a few words for a hard talk with family make life easier?
We help you name fear, sadness, or shame. We help you practice asking for support. And when you leave, you leave with steps you can follow at home. Do you want a plan you can use right away?
Have you searched for help before and closed the page? Have you said, “Maybe later”? Later can stretch too long. What if today were different? Residential mental health treatment facilities are close, safe, and steady. Would one call be worth it if life felt lighter?
Would you let this be your first step?
You are not just “depression,” “anxiety,” or “OCD.” You are a full person with talents, dreams, and a story. We learn your story first. Then we build care around you. Would slower mornings help? Would quiet evenings make sleep easier?
Our team includes:
Dr. Araz Tawfique, M.D.
Medical Director/Psychiatrist
Dr. Araz Tawfique, M.D. is an award-winning, Board Certified psychiatrist in La Jolla, CA with over ten years of experience working with people of diverse needs. He pursued his true passion for psychiatry and completed his psychiatric residency training at the University of Reno, Las Vegas. A San Diego native, he returned to Southern California to receive additional training in mental health, and start his private practice. His specialties are psychiatry and psychotherapy, which are techniques that facilitate a better understanding of thoughts, feelings, and motivations. His approach explores the interplay of biology, psychology, and sociology in shaping individuals and their relationships.
Dr. Tawfique’s experience includes delivering comprehensive addiction treatment at substance abuse centers in San Diego.
Medical Director / Psychiatrist
Primary Therapist
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
We set daily goals. We check in. We adjust. We celebrate progress. Do you prefer talking or drawing? Do groups feel right, or would one-on-one feel safer at first?
Maybe therapy felt rushed. Maybe medicine felt confusing. Maybe nothing worked. That doesn’t mean nothing can. We try again, but in a gentler way. Which tools sound right for you?
We move at your pace. We pause when you need. We practice until skills feel natural. Would you like a tool you can use in the grocery line? Would you like help writing a text you’re scared to send?
When anxiety takes over, life loses shape. Do you stay up late? Do you skip meals? Do chores pile up? We help you rebuild gentle rhythms. What would a kind day look like?
We also make sure your plan fits life outside—at school, at work, or at home. Would fridge notes help? Would phone reminders be better?
Healing isn’t only indoors. Lemon Grove has sunny walks, bright murals, and a Saturday market. Do you feel lighter with fresh air? Do small outings help you feel safe? We’re close to Berry Street Park, Lemon Grove Park, and shops where life feels normal. Our homes are licensed and designed for care. We keep rooms tidy. We keep groups small. We keep staff close. Do you feel calmer in a clean, quiet space?
Yes. A sweater, book, or small photo. What helps you feel safe?
Fresh, warm, and made to fuel your brain. Do you have allergies? We plan for them.
Yes. Our team is licensed and caring. Do you want to know who you’ll meet first?
Yes. We schedule visits and video calls. Would that help you feel supported?
Yes. We work with many plans. Want us to check your benefits?
Yes. Rest and privacy matter. Do you sleep better alone?
Most people stay 30–90 days. We plan the length with you. Do you need more time or less?
Yes. We can arrange safe rides from SR-94 or SR-125. Would picking up ease your stress?
Comfy clothes, ID, meds in bottles, and a notebook. Do you like journaling or sketching?
We make an aftercare plan. We set therapy times and provide support nearby. Do you want local care or telehealth?
