Cristina Pajarillaga-Encello

(she/her)

PMHNP, 3 years of experience

Clients say this provider is

Warm
Solution oriented
Intelligent
VirtualAvailable

About me

I am a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and over 20 years of healthcare experience. For more than 8 of those years, I’ve worked in advanced practice caring for people like you. I’m here to listen and work with you on your mental health goals. I offer thorough assessments and treatments that are backed by research, but I always focus on what matters most to you. My goal is to partner with you, understand your concerns, and create a plan that fits your life and supports real, lasting progress.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

In our initial session, we will conduct a thorough psychiatric evaluation. I will ask about your current concerns, symptoms, medical and mental health history, lifestyle, and treatment goals to gain a holistic understanding of your situation. Based on this, I will collaborate with you to develop a tailored treatment plan. We will review potential diagnoses, therapy options, and, if appropriate, medication recommendations. My aim is to foster a welcoming and respectful environment where you feel safe sharing your concerns.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I bring over two decades of medical experience and 8 years of advanced clinical practice in both family medicine and psychiatry. My career has been dedicated to delivering comprehensive, evidence-based care across diverse healthcare settings. With dual certification in Family Practice and Psychiatric Mental Health, I possess a broad medical foundation combined with specialized expertise in mental health treatment. This integrated background enables me to evaluate the full clinical picture — medical, psychological, and social — to provide diagnosis and effective treatment planning.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

My client is someone ready to create meaningful change despite mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, or trauma. They often feel overwhelmed and seek support. A provider who listens without judgment and collaborates respectfully, offering understanding and validation. Their goals include emotional stability, improved coping strategies, and suitable treatment options. Ultimately, they seek long-term wellness through personalized, evidence-based care that helps them thrive.

Identifies as

Serves ages

Teenagers (13 to 17)

Licensed in

Accepts

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Works well with patient, focusing on cognitive distortions, working on coping skills, and problem-solving skills

, 16 ratings

6 ratings with written reviews

October 10, 2026

Very warm and patient, also clarifies topics that I am not familiar with and helps focus on the more important topics.

Verified client, age 25-34
Review shared after session 1 with Cristina

October 5, 2026

Very professional and understanding. I felt like she cared about me and helping me is her priority. She didn’t make me feel like I’m just another patient

Verified client, age 45-54
Review shared after session 1 with Cristina

September 27, 2026

I felt like she was very knowledgeable considering it being our initial session. I felt heard and she had solutions with the challenges I shared.

Verified client, age 55-64
Review shared after session 1 with Cristina