Your Gateway to Wellness in La Jolla
Depression can go unnoticed for a long time. A lot of our clients don’t realize they’re experiencing it until they seek help. They often say things like “I haven’t been myself in years, and I don’t want to go on like this.”
Mental health struggles are not always visible. It can be hard to recognize that the weight you carry inside is holding you back.
If you are afraid to ask difficult questions, you are not alone. Healing can feel overwhelming, and staying in old patterns can seem easier than taking the first brave step toward help.
At Alter Behavioral Health, our goal is to help you take the first step.
Depression, anxiety, or even trauma can be difficult to identify. We all have experienced these difficult emotions at some point in our lives. That is not the problem.
The problem is allowing the mental health struggle to limit your confidence and joy. In the worst depths of depression, you ignore your responsibilities and lose your will to live a fulfilling life.
If you have been spending days ruminating, putting off chores, and finding it hard to focus at work, you need to consider therapy. Depression does not disappear, so we give you the tools to regain your focus and challenge the negative thoughts.
La Jolla is a quiet place to live. The quaint cafes can be a great place to meet new people. But if you’re struggling with your mental health, you are often too busy battling your imaginary demons. Here’s what Alter Behavioral Health offers:
Therapy gives you control of your life.
Structure can often seem limiting. People who struggle with mental health are usually fearful of routines. But there is nothing to fear here.
Routines reduce relapse rates, and structure helps you regain a sense of control. Whether it is eating the same meals every day or going to therapy, routines allow you to relax. The predictability is something you come to enjoy because it gives you room to grow.
Alter gives you a safe space where you can experience the benefits of having a calm nervous system and a mental health recovery program that promotes healing.
Residents of La Jolla can access care and support through Alter Behavioral Health’s nearby facilities in Irvine, Orange County, and San Diego. Our evidence-based programs and compassionate clinicians guide you to recover from depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
You need trained therapists to guide you through the complexities of mental illness.
Therapy helps uncover unhealthy patterns, address root causes, and build healthier coping mechanisms.
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
At Alter Behavioral Health, we provide more than a simple diagnosis. We provide personalized therapy to help you and your family overcome a mental health crisis.
Healing takes time and consistency. Our therapies help you create lasting change through:
Therapy isn’t a quick fix — it’s a sustainable path forward, built on structure and compassion.
If you’re struggling with something right now, ask yourself one thing: What is something I did today that took immense effort? If you answered something as small as brushing your teeth, that is still acknowledgment—and it matters.
With the right therapist, you can be honest about the struggle and take the step toward lasting change.
Healing is not linear. There are ups and downs, and if you want to experience true mental stability, you need to believe in the power of small, steady steps. The first step is to acknowledge that you need help and then ask for it.
If you’re seeking mental health services near La Jolla, Alter Behavioral Health welcomes you to our Southern California facilities, such as Irvine, Orange County, and San Diego.
You can visit our facilities to learn more about our services, or call us to begin your journey toward healing.
We provide comprehensive mental health treatment at our nearby facilities in San Diego, Orange County, and Irvine.
Yes, we offer one-on-one sessions, group therapy, and community care to promote healing.
You can contact us today to schedule an intake assessment and begin your healing journey.
Alter Health provides evidence-based mental health services that help you manage and heal mental health issues.
Yes, family support is essential to the recovery process, and we encourage family members to build a supportive environment.
We treat a wide range of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
We offer evidence-based therapies such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy).
Mental health centers offer evidence-based care to treat both mental health and behavioral health issues.
Research shows that you can use therapy and medication to reduce symptoms of depression.
While we don’t have a physical facility in La Jolla, we serve clients from the area through our Southern California locations.
