Carlos Barrios MD Pediatric Psychiatrist
As a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience, I provide telepsychiatry built around a simple goal: healing minds while minimizing medication. My practice is grounded in metabolic and functional psychiatry — I treat psychiatric symptoms as signals of underlying imbalances in sleep, nutrition, inflammation, and physiology, not just as problems to be medicated away. I work with children, teens, and adults navigating ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar spectrum conditions, PTSD, and autism-related challenges. Every evaluation is comprehensive and personalized, integrating evidence-based treatment with practical lifestyle and nutritional strategies designed to restore function and reduce reliance on medication wherever it is safe to do so. Education is at the heart of how I practice. Patients and families make the best decisions when they understand the reasoning behind a treatment plan, so I take the time to explain the "why" and partner with you throughout care. I offer bilingual care in English and Spanish, with telehealth availability across California, Washington, Arizona, Illinois, and South Carolina. If you are looking for a thoughtful, root-cause approach to your child's mental health — or your own — I would be glad to help you take the next step toward lasting well-being.
First session
Your first session with me is a comprehensive evaluation. Together we'll explore the full picture — current symptoms, history, family dynamics, sleep, nutrition, and lifestyle — so I can form a working understanding of what's driving the concerns that brought you in. It's also a conversation: I want to hear your goals and questions, and I'll explain how I think about treatment so we're aligned from the start. A few practical notes so your visit goes smoothly: Because these are telepsychiatry visits for medication management, the patient must be present and on camera for the session, especially the first 10–15 minutes. This is a medical and legal requirement for assessment — if the patient can't join during that window, we'll need to reschedule. Otherwise, just prepare as you would for any visit with a physician: a quiet, private space and any relevant history or medication details on hand. After the initial evaluation, follow-up appointments occur every one to four months depending on your treatment plan. To maintain continuity and meet medical practice standards, patients who don't return within four months may be transitioned to an appropriate transfer of care.Your first session with me is a comprehensive evaluation. Together we'll explore the full picture — current symptoms, history, family dynamics, sleep, nutrition, and lifestyle — so I can form a working understanding of what's driving the concerns that brought you in. It's also a conversation: I want to hear your goals and questions, and I'll explain how I think about treatment so we're aligned from the start. A few practical notes so your visit goes smoothly: Because these are telepsychiatry visits for medication management, the patient must be present and on camera for the session, especially the first 10–15 minutes. This is a medical and legal requirement for assessment — if the patient can't join during that window, we'll need to reschedule. Otherwise, just prepare as you would for any visit with a physician: a quiet, private space and any relevant history or medication details on hand. After the initial evaluation, follow-up appointments occur every one to four months depending on your treatment plan. To maintain continuity and meet medical practice standards, patients who don't return within four months may be transitioned to an appropriate transfer of care.
Strengths
What sets my approach apart is that I look for the root cause. Most psychiatric symptoms aren't isolated — they're shaped by sleep, nutrition, inflammation, and physiology. I bring over 20 years of experience in metabolic and functional psychiatry to find what's actually driving the problem, rather than reaching first for medication. That foundation shows up in how I work: Root-cause focus. I build treatment plans that address the whole person — lifestyle, nutrition, and environment alongside symptoms — with the goal of reducing reliance on medication wherever it's safe to do so. Specialized expertise across ages. With dedicated training in child and adolescent psychiatry, plus experience with adults, I understand how mental health needs differ at every stage and tailor care accordingly. Education as part of treatment. I take time to explain the reasoning behind every plan, so patients and families understand their care and participate in it actively. Bilingual care in English and Spanish makes that possible for more families. Accessible, consistent telehealth. Remote care removes barriers without sacrificing depth — every patient gets a thorough, personalized evaluation and steady follow-up. The result is psychiatric care that's rigorous, collaborative, and built around lasting well-being rather than symptom suppression.
Ideal clients
The practice warmly welcomes families seeking a nurturing and understanding approach to their child's mental health. It's an ideal fit for parents who appreciate the ease and flexibility of telepsychiatry and are looking for a psychiatrist who combines professional expertise with a caring, educational touch. If you're a parent hoping to find a treatment approach that goes beyond medication, focusing instead on a comprehensive understanding of your child's unique needs, this practice is here to support you. Here, you'll find a commitment to helping your child thrive, using methods that consider all aspects of their well-being, in a friendly and supportive environment.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
The practice of the undersigned, Dr. Carlos Barrios, is anchored in a comprehensive approach to psychiatric care, placing a strong emphasis on metabolic and functional principles that strive to empower patients towards greater independence from medication. Treatment modalities are informed by the latest advancements in psychiatric research and tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. Recognizing that each patient's journey is distinct, the undersigned meticulously crafts personalized treatment plans that not only address symptomatic relief but also target the underlying contributors to mental health conditions. This approach ensures a holistic path to wellness, integrating both physical and mental health strategies for optimal outcomes. While the undersigned’s practice is not centered on therapy as a primary modality, there is a recognition of the value of therapeutic interventions, particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), as a complement to medical treatment. CBT is utilized judiciously to help patients develop coping strategies and effectuate positive change in their thought patterns and behaviors. This integration of CBT principles is designed to provide patients with practical tools for managing challenges and enhancing their well-being. The practice's therapeutic ethos is characterized by a supportive and educational environment, encouraging patients to engage actively in their treatment process and to build resilience and autonomy for long-term mental health stability.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Licensed in
- ArizonaLicense 48585
- CaliforniaLicense C 55096
- IllinoisLicense 036108420
- WashingtonLicense MD.MD.61362555