A Q&A With Inwardly Psychiatry
Born and raised in Shiraz, Iran, Anaheed Shirazi, MD, trained in San Diego and fell in love with the area — Del Mar in particular. Her integrative psychiatry practice offers both psychotherapy and medication management, with a small patient panel and weekend hours so care never feels rushed. We chatted with her about what drew her to the Village, her mindfulness-centered approach, and where to find the best Persian ice cream in town.
1. Tell us your backstory: What was your path to owning a business in Del Mar Village? Did you grow up here? Why did you choose Del Mar Village to set up your practice?
I did not grow up in Del Mar. I was born and raised in Shirazi, Iran and have been living in California for many years now. I completed my residency and fellowship training in San Diego and stayed because of the people, the nature, and the balanced pace of life.
Del Mar has been my favorite neighborhood since my first visit, and opening my practice here feels special after many years of training! My approach to psychiatry is integrative, and at times treatment extends beyond the office. I think of movement, environment, and sensory experience as part of the therapeutic process, including moments of natural beauty that evoke a sense of awe, such as watching the sunset by the ocean. Del Mar offers a naturally reflective, sensory rich environment that invites a slower pace and inward attention, and this supports me as a clinician as well.
2. Tell us about your practice. What should people know about it? What makes it unique?
I offer both psychotherapy and medication management, allowing for a more integrated and cohesive approach to care, and offer weekend appointments to make treatment more accessible for those with busy schedules. I have training in multiple psychotherapy modalities, which allows me to draw from a range of evidence-based approaches and tailor care to each individual’s needs. As a physician scientist, my work is grounded in evidence and adapted to each person. I keep a small patient panel so that sessions do not feel rushed and I can be attentive to each patient’s needs. Inwardly Psychiatry is a small, one-person practice and I personally manage scheduling and communication which can create a more consistent and direct experience of care.
3. What are you are most known for?
During my training at UCSD, my colleagues and supervisors came to know me for my focus on mindfulness and the work I did in that area. What felt especially meaningful was helping patients and healthcare professionals not only learn these practices, but also understand them more deeply, beyond the common misconceptions and the ways they are often commercialized in mainstream media.
4. Tell us one fun fact about your practice most people don't know.
Patterns from outside a psychiatric office often show up inside it, the space becomes a microcosm.
5. What do you love about Del Mar Village?
What I love about Del Mar Village is the balance it holds. It feels vibrant and alive, yet calm and unhurried at the same time.
6. How would you spend the perfect day in Del Mar? Where would you go? What would you eat or do?
A perfect day in Del Mar for me, outside of work, looks like a run by the ocean, taking in the air and the rhythm of the water, a stop at a local coffee shop, Persian ice-cream from Saffron & Rose, and eggplant Borani from Seaside Del Mar Grill! I would end the day at Seagrove Park, watching the sunset, the surfers in the water, and of course saying hi to a few dogs along the way.