About Curious Minds

At Curious Minds, we explore. We ask questions. We look inward – so you can move forward.

I’m Dr. Jacob Cross, a Yale-trained, board-certified psychiatrist and the founder of Curious Minds. I created this practice to offer something that can be hard to find in mental health care: a place where expertise meets empathy and where your story is met with curiosity, not judgment.

My approach is rooted in connection. I believe that healing begins when you feel safe, seen, and supported. Whether we’re working together through trauma, exploring thought patterns that are holding you back, or finding the right medication to support your progress, I’ll be with you every step of the way offering evidence-based care that’s personalized to your goals, values, and strengths.

Our Philosophy in Practice

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Connection First

We prioritize building a trusting, safe relationship to foster meaningful progress.

Evidence-Based Care

We utilize high-quality scientific evidence to create treatment plans based on your specific challenges, strengths, and goals. 

Shared Decision-making

We collaborate with you to explore the best strategies for your distinct path to healing.

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Meet Dr. Cross

The psychiatrist behind Curious Minds

From a young age, I always knew I wanted to be a doctor. I invested almost a decade in medical training to ensure I can provide the best care possible. I received my medical degree from Tulane School of Medicine and completed psychiatric residency in Chicago at Rush University Medical Center. 

After completing an additional subspecialty training at Yale, I became deeply committed to providing care that is not only evidence-based but also profoundly human. Over the years, I’ve specialized in treating PTSD and body-focused repetitive behaviors like hair pulling and skin picking, with a focus on pairing trauma-informed therapy with thoughtful medication management.

Today, I lead Curious Minds: a practice built on curiosity, compassion, and connection. I take a holistic, evidence-based approach to mental health, combining trauma-informed psychotherapy with thoughtful medication management. My goal is to create a psychologically safe space where patients feel seen and supported as they explore their past, navigate strong emotions, and move toward a more fulfilling life.

Core Values

Nurturing Connection

Long-term healing begins with feeling seen and understood. Outpatient psychiatry allows us to build lasting relationships where growth, reflection, and emotional safety are prioritized. Dr. Cross draws from a variety of therapeutic modalities — CPT, ACT, and psychodynamic therapy — to ensure care is always grounded in both empathy and expertise.

Grounded Curiosity

Curiosity is the heart of our work. We believe one of the most powerful outcomes of therapy is helping patients develop curiosity about their own minds: how past experiences shape present thoughts, what they value, and who they are becoming. Dr. Cross brings this same curiosity to every session and continues to learn through ongoing research and professional development.

Creative Solutions

Every person’s story is different, and healing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Creativity allows us to tailor therapy techniques, see challenges from new angles, and support self-expression in meaningful and empowering ways. We also celebrate our patients’ creativity as a source of strength and healing.

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Endorsed by professionals

  • Dr. Cross is an outstanding psychiatrist whose listening ability makes him an effective psychotherapist and diagnostician who closely follows the most recent scientific evidence. His dedication to patient care makes him dive deeply into the stories of each individual, finding solutions involving medications and psychotherapeutic interventions. As his supervisor during his subspecialty training at Yale’s Hispanic Clinic, I have seen his successful clinical outcomes. His efficacy in treating the Latinx community is a testament to his flexibility and ability to understand others. He is a trustworthy, hardworking, and astute physician. I would trust him to care for my own family.

    ESPERANZA DIAZ, MD

    Professor of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine

    Medical Director of The Hispanic Clinic

    Associate Residency Program Director of Yale Psychiatry

  • Dr. Cross is an exceptional psychiatrist who provides a holistic approach to diagnosis and treatment, leading to relief of his patients' suffering. He strives to understand the underlying cause of distressing symptoms, and offers multifaceted recommendations tailored to the specific needs of his patients. He is skilled in the use of psychotherapeutic techniques and medication management and applies a combination of therapies to improve outcomes. He easily develops rapport with his patients and maintains empathic engagement, providing thoughtful information and guidance to ensure his patients are comforted and well cared for. He uses scientific evidence to inform his recommendations, while tailoring his treatment to the individual needs of each person he is working with. I give Dr. Cross my highest recommendation.

    JONATHAN KAPLAN, MD

    Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center

    Assistant Division Chief of Integrated Behavioral Health and Collaborative Care

    Medical Director of Cancer Psychiatry

  • Dr. Cross is a thoughtful and dedicated psychiatrist who truly prioritizes his patients' wellbeing. He is proactive, thorough, and attentive, taking the time to understand each patient's unique needs and concerns. His kindness and sensitivity make it easy for patients to feel heard and supported, while his clinical expertise ensures they receive thoughtful, high-quality care. Dr. Cross approaches every encounter with compassion and professionalism. His commitment to patient care is evident in everything he does, and I have no doubt that he will make a meaningful difference in the lives of those he works with.

    ANDREA MENDIOLA, MD

    Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine

    CMHC Director of Site Training, Yale Psychiatry Residency Program

    Associate Program Director, Yale Fellowship in Hispanic Psychiatry

  • Dr. Cross is a remarkable physician. He has an unparalleled commitment to his patients and is conscientious about the intersection of social determinants of health and advocacy. Dr. Cross has an impressive knowledge of psychodynamics influences, cultural factors, and psychopharmacology and is able to integrate these themes into his work with patients. He is an excellent communicator and works hard to ensure his patients understand their treatment plans. It is clear that Dr. Cross cares deeply about his work and is dedicated to becoming the best psychiatrist he can be to help his patients.

    JOSH ELOGE, MD

    Associate Director, Woman's Board Treatment Research Center

    Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

    Rush University Medical Center

  • Dr. Cross is truly exceptional. It has been a great pleasure working with him as we built a brand new facility in the Chicago area. He is an amazing clinician and compassionate caregiver, but not only that, he is the ultimate team player. The positive impact he had at Montrose Behavioral Hospital is still felt on our teams. I recommend Dr. Cross without reservations!

    JOÃO V. BUSNELLO MD, PhD

    Chief Medical Officer, Montrose Behavioral Health Hospital