MCHC Welcomes Bilingual Clinical Psychologist Dr. Cesar Gustavo Ureta

UKIAH, CA — MCHC Health Centers is pleased to welcome clinical psychologist Dr. Cesar Gustavo Ureta to its Behavioral Health team. Ureta will see patients of all ages at Hillside Health Center in Ukiah and Lakeview Health Center in Lakeport, as well as through virtual appointments.

Ureta has a background in public health and nearly a decade of experience working with patients in a community health clinical setting. He is committed to expanding access to behavioral healthcare, particularly to underserved communities and says this is something he finds particularly fulfilling.

Ureta, who is fluent in Spanish, worked in public health for the State of California for about 10 years before transitioning to more direct patient care. He is well aware of the stigma surrounding mental healthcare, particularly in underserved communities.

To combat this stigma, Ureta engages in open conversations to help patients feel comfortable addressing their preconceptions and concerns. He creates an environment that puts patients at ease, regardless of their background with therapy. Once a foundation of trust is established, he helps patients work toward the goals they set for themselves.

“I like to work collaboratively to help people develop skills to create a lifestyle that promotes their health,” he says.

Ureta sees patients as partners in improving their mental health. He works with patients on wide-ranging issues from learning to manage anxiety and depression to developing problem-solving skills, managing conflict, developing focus and concentration, building better habits for sleep and eating, and improving mood.

“I like working with a broad range of people of different ages, genders, and issues,” he says.

Director of Behavioral Health Ben Anderson says, “We are thrilled that Dr. Ureta has chosen to share his talents with us. His skills as a bilingual/bicultural therapist and his knowledge of public health will greatly benefit our communities in Lake and Mendocino Counties.”

A native of Northern California, Ureta was drawn to healthcare by family members who worked in the field. His interest increased when he volunteered as a high school student to be a peer health educator.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree from the Department of Ethnic Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, Ureta earned a master’s in public health from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. When he returned to school to become a clinician, he attended The Wright Institute in Berkeley, where he earned a doctorate in clinical psychology with an emphasis on community mental health.

During the past decade, Ureta has worked in a variety of healthcare settings, including several Federally Qualified Health Centers like MCHC.

He appreciates the widespread adoption of telehealth, which has opened doors to healthcare for underserved populations, making it easier to accommodate people in rural areas or with transportation or mobility issues. He says he is happy to work with patients virtually or in person.

Outside of work, Ureta loves spending time in nature and enjoys cultural activities like music, dance, and theater. He also likes to travel and appreciates getting to know this community.

“I feel very fortunate to be here and work as a team member at MCHC,” he says.

MCHC Health Centers includes Hillside Health Center and Dora Street Health Center in Ukiah, Little Lake Health Center in Willits, and Lakeview Health Center in Lakeport. It is a community-based and patient-directed organization that provides comprehensive primary healthcare services as well as supportive services such as education and translation that promote access to healthcare.