Welcome, I’m Mark Manning, DNP, PMHNP!
I’m an integrative psychiatric provider who believes that healing begins when you’re finally allowed to be fully seen without having to perform, prove, or apologize. I didn’t come to psychiatry through the most direct path, but through years of showing up for others, navigating the medical system from the inside, and healing parts of myself that traditional medicine couldn’t reach. That journey brought me deeper into my own identity.
I’m a man. I appreciate being a man. I’m gay—and I love being gay. I love the complexity, the resilience, the joy of it. I love it in the way that comes from healing the parts of myself that once carried shame.
Now, I just want to live, love, and thrive…unapologetically. And I want that for my patients, too—to feel whole, proud, and free in who they are.
Early Roots in Helping Others
I’ve always known I wanted to help others. I started volunteering in a hospital at 14, drawn to the quiet power of caretaking. I trained as a nurse, worked in the ICU, and faced more than my share of burnout and injury. I’ve seen the best and worst of our healthcare system—from trauma bays to admin offices—and what stayed with me wasn’t just the science. It was the people. Their stories. Their pain. Their courage.
Growing up in a predominantly male household and near poverty, where softness and care weren’t modeled, I had to learn how to create them for myself. In a world that didn’t always make space for tenderness, my early instinct to nurture, protect, and stay emotionally open shaped who I am — and how I show up as a provider today.
Falling in Love with Nursing & Psychiatry
Though I initially planned to become a physician, I fell in love with the art and science of nursing. My years as an ICU nurse taught me how to hold space for suffering, resilience, and vulnerability. I cared for people on their hardest days—through trauma, critical illness, and life-altering diagnoses like the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Eventually, I followed my passion into psychiatry. I earned my doctorate from the University of San Diego and completed advanced psychiatric training at Johns Hopkins. These experiences continue to shape how I show up for my patients: with presence, empathy, and a deep respect for the human spirit.
Why Integrative Psychiatry?
I’m drawn to integrative psychiatry because of my nursing roots. From the start, I was trained to see the whole person—not just symptoms, but the emotional, social, and spiritual context behind them. This holistic lens has shaped every treatment plan I’ve written since.
Working in traditional healthcare systems, I saw how often productivity was prioritized over people. That dissonance affirmed my commitment to build a practice grounded in presence, compassion, and integrity—where care honors the full humanity of every patient.
My dedication to integrative care is also personal. Growing up in a faith community where being gay wasn’t accepted, I struggled to reconcile my identity with what I was taught. That journey gave me deep insight into the search for belonging—and the resilience it takes to reclaim it.
Today, I help others walk that same path, offering a safe space for healing, identity integration, and the unapologetic expression of self—free from shame.
I also understand the profound impact of narcissistic abuse. I know the invisible scars it leaves, and the slow, cautious process of learning to trust again. Because I know what it feels like to be guarded and unsure, I practice differently. I don’t just treat trauma, I honor the tenderness it leaves behind. I show up with presence, empathy, and intention, offering care that is both clinically informed and deeply human.
Outside of sessions, you’ll usually find me in the mountains—hiking, snowboarding, or quietly soaking in the silence. I’m a proud husband, an intended father, and an uncle who never misses a chance to spoil his nieces and nephews. I love British Columbia, reptiles, meditation, and a long day doing absolutely nothing with the people I love.
I believe that kindness is a radical act. That every day we wake up is a miracle. That healing doesn’t come from being perfect—but from showing up, as you are, and daring to believe that things can be different.
If you’ve made it this far, here’s what I want you to know:
You’re not too much.
You’re not too late.
You’re not broken.
You’re just ready for care that meets you where you are—and helps you find your way forward.
The Human Behind the Work
My Practice Philosophy -
Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring
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Healing doesn’t come from being “fixed”—it comes from being fully seen. I believe in transpersonal relationships, where care is grounded in genuine connection, not clinical distance. You are not a case to manage. You are a person to meet—exactly as you are. My belief in transpersonal relationships, where care is grounded in genuine connection, not clinical distance. You are not a case to manage. You are a person to meet—exactly as you are.
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For many Gay & LGBTQIA+ folks, care systems have been places of harm, not healing. That’s why I treat every session as more than a checklist—it’s a space for moral, emotional, and spiritual restoration. Whether you’re healing from religious trauma, family rejection, or internalized shame, our work honors the sacred act of showing up for your true self.
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You’re not just a set of symptoms. You’re a whole human being—with a soul, a story, a lineage, and a right to thrive. My work is rooted in the belief that wholeness matters as much as wellness. Together, we move beyond symptom relief toward deeper integration—body, mind, identity, and spirit.
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I don’t sit behind a mask of neutrality. I show up as a human being, too—witnessing, learning, evolving. In this space, we co-create transformation. Your courage helps me grow. My presence supports your healing. Together, we create something far more powerful than a treatment plan: we create liberation.
How I am different
I care. I make my patients feel heard. I use a lot of reflective listening skills and hold space for them to express their wants and desires. I believe that everyone can achieve a fulfilling life and build a life worth living.
Credentials
Doctor of Nursing Practice – University of San Diego
Post-Doctorate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate – Johns Hopkins University
B.S. in Nursing – California State University San Bernardino, Palm Desert Campus
Clinical background in ICU, urgent care, family medicine, and psychiatric hospital care
Specialized training in DBT-informed therapy, lifestyle psychiatry, and integrative approaches
Licensed to practice in California
Why Integrative Psychiatry
I’m drawn to integrative psychiatry because of my nursing roots. From the start, I was trained to see the whole person—not just symptoms, but the emotional, social, and spiritual context behind them. This holistic lens has shaped every treatment plan I’ve written since.
Working in traditional healthcare systems, I saw how often productivity was prioritized over people. That dissonance affirmed my commitment to build a practice grounded in presence, compassion, and integrity—where care honors the full humanity of every patient.
My dedication to integrative care is also personal. Growing up in a faith community where being gay wasn’t accepted, I struggled to reconcile my identity with what I was taught. That journey gave me deep insight into the search for belonging—and the resilience it takes to reclaim it.
Today, I help others walk that same path, offering a safe space for healing, identity integration, and the unapologetic expression of self—free from shame.
I also understand the profound impact of narcissistic abuse. I know the invisible scars it leaves, and the slow, cautious process of learning to trust again. Because I know what it feels like to be guarded and unsure, I practice differently. I don’t just treat trauma, I honor the tenderness it leaves behind. I show up with presence, empathy, and intention, offering care that is both clinically informed and deeply human..
How we will work together
Therapy with me is a collaborative, empowering process—not a top-down hierarchical dynamic. You are not here to be “fixed.” You are here to be supported, challenged, and guided with care, insight, and respect.
In our work together, you can expect to feel listened to, seen, and understood. I hold space with presence and compassion, but I also invite accountability. Healing is an active process. It requires your participation—not perfection, but honest effort.
I ask that you:
Share openly about how your medications and therapy are working for you
Stay engaged and receptive, even when the work is hard
Complete assignments and practice the skills we build together
Offer direct, honest feedback so we can grow and adapt as a team
You are the expert on your lived experience. I bring clinical wisdom, intuition, and spiritual grounding—but we make progress together.
I believe the universe has given me the knowledge and tools to be of service. I let that energy flow through me—not to help you simply survive, but to help you thrive.
Who I help
Do You Feel Like You’ve Been Holding It All Together for Everyone But Yourself?
You’re smart, capable, and the one everyone counts on—but inside, you’re tired. Anxious. Numb. Maybe your mind won’t slow down, your focus keeps slipping, or you feel like you’ve lost touch with who you really are. You’ve built a life that looks good—but doesn’t feel like yours.
Whether you’re a high-achieving gay man navigating identity burnout, a professional struggling with ADHD and anxiety, or someone still carrying the weight of family, religion, or a healthcare system that never really saw you—this is the space where we start to untangle it all.
We’ll blend evidence-based tools like medication, lab testing, and supplements with deep, personalized therapy and lifestyle shifts. This isn’t about numbing or fixing—it’s about reconnecting to yourself and building a life that finally fits.
You don’t have to do it alone anymore. Healing starts here.
For People Who’ve Been Dismissed By the Medical System
Have you ever left a doctor’s office feeling worse than when you walked in?
Maybe your symptoms were brushed off. Your concerns ignored. Or your identity was met with confusion, bias, or outright judgment. You’ve learned to mask your pain, but it’s still there—quiet, constant, and heavy.
I believe you. I see you. And I treat you like the expert of your experience.
If you’ve felt invisible or shamed in traditional care, you’ll find something different here. We’ll check labs others might miss, listen to symptoms others dismissed, and create care plans that reflect you—not a textbook version of you. This is care that listens first, and heals second.
For Those Navigating Intimacy, Love, and Relationship Trauma
Have you ever found yourself pulling away just when things start to feel real?
Maybe you grew up believing love had to hurt—or that your body, needs, and desires were things to hide. You long for deep connection, but something in you still expects abandonment, chaos, or shame.
You're not broken. You're protecting yourself in the only ways you were taught.
If you’ve felt unsafe in love—or unseen in your longing—you’re not alone here. In our work, we’ll explore how your past shaped your relationship patterns and gently rewrite the script. We’ll create space for intimacy that feels safe, boundaries that feel strong, and a version of sexuality rooted in agency, not apology.
This is where connection becomes healing. Let’s build the kind of love that doesn’t require self-abandonment to survive.
For the Ones Carrying Religious or Cultural Trauma
Do you still flinch when you’re being yourself?
Maybe you’ve left the church—but the shame stayed. Maybe your family “accepts” you—but you still edit your voice around them. You’re not doing anything wrong by existing. And yet, part of you still feels like you are.
You don’t have to keep shrinking to stay safe.
Together, we’ll work to untangle the threads of identity, belief, and belonging. Your care might include trauma-informed therapy, spiritual processing, and support for the nervous system. Whether it’s family, religion, or culture that taught you to hide—healing is possible. You don’t have to trade your soul to be whole.
For Queer Folks on the Path to Parenthood
One moment you’re dreaming about holding your baby. The next, you're unraveling over unexpected delays, invasive paperwork, or a legal system that makes you prove why your family deserves to exist.
Maybe you’ve felt the pressure to show up as “the perfect couple” just to be seen as good enough. Maybe the stress is pulling you and your partner apart, when all you want is to move through this together.
You don’t have to carry this alone. And you don’t have to earn your right to become a parent.
In our work, we’ll make space for the full emotional reality of family-building—grief, rage, love, hope—and help you stay grounded through it all. We'll strengthen your resilience as partners, build tools for open communication, and anchor you in the joy that brought you here in the first place.
