PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES
At ABTS, psychiatric care goes beyond symptom management. We support individuals who have not found lasting relief through traditional mental health treatment and who sense that deeper factors—such as trauma, chronic stress, or nervous system dysregulation—may be contributing to anxiety, depression, mood instability, or emotional exhaustion.
ABTS provides trauma-informed, integrative psychiatry that recognizes the interconnected role of the brain, body, and lived experiences. We are committed to delivering ethical, personalized, and clinically rigorous psychiatric care grounded in trauma-focused principles and holistic treatment planning.
Our psychiatric services include medication management and psychiatric-focused health screenings. Medication management is a collaborative and individualized process involving the careful prescription, monitoring, and adjustment of medications when appropriate. Psychiatric-focused health screenings provide a comprehensive evaluation of mental health, medical history, and contributing biological and psychosocial factors to support accurate diagnosis and informed treatment planning.
Our Services
MEDICATION MANAGEMENT
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Trauma-informed psychiatric medication management
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Careful evaluation and personalized treatment planning
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Medications used thoughtfully and only when clinically appropriate
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Focus on reducing symptoms while supporting recovery and daily functioning
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Emphasis on safety, emotional regulation, and overall stability
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Education about how mental health symptoms relate to physical and emotional health
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Coordinated care with therapy providers and medical professionals
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Well-suited for individuals with complex mental health needs or prior treatment challenges
PSYCHIATRIC FOCUSED HEALTH SCREENING
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Comprehensive psychiatric-focused health screening that looks at the whole person
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Trauma-informed evaluation completed before medication recommendations are made
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Review of mental health symptoms, trauma history, and medical background
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Assessment of physical factors that may impact mental health, including hormonal balance, sleep, nutrition, and metabolic health
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Identification of underlying medical or biological contributors to psychiatric symptoms
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Use of relevant lab testing when clinically appropriate
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Supports accurate diagnosis and truly individualized treatment planning
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Genetic Testing (Pharmacogenetics Testing)
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Helps ensure psychiatric care is informed, coordinated, and focused on long-term stability
MEET THE PROVIDERS
Carla Alvarado, MD
Dr. Carla I. Alvarado, MD, is a Board-Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with extensive experience in clinical care, academic medicine, and program leadership. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and provides comprehensive psychiatric services to children and adolescents, as well as select adult populations with specialized needs.
Dr. Alvarado earned her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine and completed both her Psychiatry Residency and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC). She is board certified in General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and has held leadership and teaching roles including Chief Resident, Assistant Professor, and Assistant Program Director within TTUHSC’s Department of Psychiatry.
She currently serves as Medical Director of the Child and Adolescent Program at Emergence Health Network, where she provides psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and clinical oversight of Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs. Dr. Alvarado’s clinical expertise includes the treatment of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related conditions, ADHD, and complex psychiatric presentations across developmental stages, with experience conducting autism evaluations as part of comprehensive assessments when indicated.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Alvarado has a strong background in medical education and professional training, having supervised and taught medical students, psychiatry residents, child and adolescent fellows, and advanced practice providers. Her academic and clinical interests include early identification of psychiatric conditions, childhood trauma, culturally responsive care, and collaborative treatment models within diverse communities.
Jocelyn Medina, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Dr. Jocelyn Medina, DNP, PMHNP-BC, is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience in nursing and advanced training in trauma-informed psychiatric care. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from The University of Texas at El Paso in May 2025, with doctoral work focused on improving the identification and treatment of trauma-related and dissociative disorders in outpatient mental health settings. Dr. Medina is bilingual in English and Spanish and provides psychiatric services to children, adolescents, and adults.
Dr. Medina specializes in the evaluation and treatment of complex trauma, PTSD, mood and anxiety disorders, and dissociative symptoms, particularly when symptoms have not fully responded to standard treatment approaches. She has advanced training through the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD) and utilizes a phase-oriented treatment approach that emphasizes safety, stabilization, and nervous system regulation prior to trauma processing.
Her psychiatric care is holistic and integrative, recognizing the connection between mental health, the nervous system, and the body. Dr. Medina evaluates the whole person, including trauma history, medical contributors, sleep and stress physiology, and psychosocial factors. She offers pharmacogenomic testing to support personalized medication decisions and collaborates closely with therapists and medical providers to develop individualized treatment plans.
Prior to becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner, Dr. Medina worked in emergency medicine, correctional health, community clinics, and quality improvement—experiences that shaped her grounded approach and strong advocacy for individuals navigating complex mental health concerns. At ABTS, she is committed to providing compassionate, trauma-informed psychiatric care that supports lasting stability and healing.
Common reasons for seeking psychiatric services
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Sadness or depression
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Excessive fear, worry, or anxiety
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Mood swings
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Anger
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Insomnia or sleep disturbances
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Traumatic stress or flashbacks
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Thoughts of self-harm
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Physical symptoms without a medical cause
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Trouble with attention or hyperactivity
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Extreme mood swings
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Extreme temper tantrums
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Nightmares
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School performance issues
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Aggressive behaviors
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Impulsive behaviors
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Life traumatic events