Your Gateway to Wellness in Encinitas
Encinitas is more than sunny beaches. It’s morning surf at Moonlight Beach. Flower fields bursting with color at the San Diego Botanic Garden. Street fairs on Coast Highway 101. But even in a beautiful place, the mind can feel heavy. Stress can sneak in. And worry can block out the light. That’s why Alter Behavioral Health offers residential mental health treatment in Encinitas. You can find peace here—where warm care meets the ocean air.
Maybe you were sitting on the sand, watching the waves roll in. Or perhaps you were walking past the shops in downtown Encinitas. Suddenly, your heart started racing. Your mind felt cloudy.
These moments can show up without warning. They can feel too big to face alone. Our residential homes near Encinitas give you a safe, quiet space to slow down and find your footing again.
Healing takes more than medicine. It takes kindness and calm. That’s why our homes feel nothing like a hospital. You’ll find:
You’ll feel cared for, not rushed or overlooked.
Keeping pain inside can make it grow heavier. In our Encinitas-area homes, you’re never on your own. We listen to your story. We help you work through hard moments.
We teach you simple ways to calm your body and mind. You’ll learn to speak about what’s hurting you—and to see new hope for the days ahead. When it’s time to leave, we create an aftercare plan so you can keep moving forward.
Maybe you’ve thought about treatment before. You might have started looking, then stopped. Or told yourself you’d “deal with it later.” But later can turn into years.
Right now is a good time. A strong time. And residential mental health treatment in Encinitas is close enough to feel safe—but far enough to give you space.
You deserve peace. We can help you find it.
You’re not “broken.” You’re not “too much.” You’re a person who’s been carrying more than one person should have to take.
At Alter, we don’t see you as a diagnosis. We see you as someone worth knowing. We take the time to learn your story and build a plan just for you.
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
Here, your story matters more than any label.
Maybe you’ve had therapy before. Maybe it felt awkward, too fast, or not helpful. That doesn’t mean it can’t work for you.
We match you with approaches that fit your needs. And we adjust when something doesn’t feel right. You might try:
You set the pace. We follow it.
Depression, anxiety, and stress can turn daily life into a blur. You may sleep too much, skip meals, or lose track of simple things.
We help you slow things down and rebuild a steady routine. In our care, you might:
This isn’t about “fixing” you—it’s about helping you feel human again.
Encinitas offers more than a postcard view. The ocean air helps you breathe more deeply. The sound of waves makes the mind slow down. And the small-town feel means you can heal without feeling lost in a crowd.
Our homes are just minutes from Moonlight Beach, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, and Leucadia. They’re peaceful, licensed, and built for real healing, not just short stays.
You don’t need to leave California to feel better. You can heal right here, where the ocean meets the sky.
Yes—bring what makes you feel safe.
Fresh, warm, and designed to support your brain.
Yes—and they care deeply about your comfort.
Yes, and we make sure visits help your healing.
Yes—Aetna, Cigna, and many others.
Yes, so you can rest in private.
Most guests stay 30–90 days.
Yes, we can help arrange transportation.
Comfortable clothes, ID, medications, and a notebook.
We’ll make a plan with you and support you as you continue healing.
