Overview:
Dr. Ishdeep Narang, a board-certified psychiatrist and founder of ACES Psychiatry, shares his personal journey of immigrating to the U.S. and rebuilding his medical career from scratch. In this candid reflection, he offers practical, compassionate advice for anyone facing a difficult new beginning.
For many professionals, the journey to success is marked by long hours, personal sacrifice, and steady perseverance. But for Dr. Ishdeep Narang, the path included something more daunting. It involved starting over entirely, in a new country, with an uncertain future.
Now a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in child, adolescent, and adult mental health, Dr. Narang is also the founder of ACES Psychiatry in Orlando, FL. He has built a life and practice rooted in empathy, resilience, and service. But it wasn’t always that way.
“The most challenging period of my life,” he says, “was immigrating and re-establishing my medical career from scratch.”
That simple sentence carries the weight of a life-changing transition. This transition was filled with not only professional challenges like licensing exams and recredentialing. It also included deeply human struggles such as isolation, identity, and self-doubt.
A New Beginning, Thousands of Miles from Home
Dr. Narang earned his medical degree from Government Medical College in Amritsar, India, with a clear passion for mental health. But when he immigrated to the United States, he found himself on unfamiliar ground — both literally and emotionally.
“There was the profound emotional weight of isolation,” he explains. “And constantly feeling like an outsider.”
Like many immigrants, Dr. Narang was forced to not just adapt, but rebuild. The U.S. healthcare system demanded retraining, new certifications, and years of post-graduate education. He completed his psychiatry residency at Case Western Reserve University / MetroHealth in Cleveland, Ohio. He then pursued a fellowship in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where he later became Chief Fellow.
Even with his impressive credentials, the road wasn’t easy — and he knows many others are walking similar paths.
Advice for Those Starting Over
When asked what he would say to someone facing a similar moment of uncertainty — whether rebuilding after a personal loss, starting a new career, or entering a new country — Dr. Narang offers three core principles:
1. Anchor yourself in your “why.”
“The deep purpose that fuels you is your best guide. Without it, the stress will eat you alive. With it, even the hardest days gain meaning.”
For Dr. Narang, that “why” was the chance to make a lasting difference in people’s lives through psychiatry. It’s the same purpose that drives his practice today.
2. Focus on the next step, not the entire mountain.
“One small task is achievable. Staring at the whole mountain is paralyzing.”
He recalls the overwhelming feeling of trying to pass licensing exams while managing life as an immigrant. Breaking it down into one test, one form, one patient at a time helped him move forward.
3. Let yourself feel everything.
“Permit yourself to feel the stress and grief of the moment. Acknowledging the difficulty isn’t weakness — it’s part of the transformation.”
Rather than pushing away difficult emotions, Dr. Narang believes in honoring them. As a psychiatrist, he emphasizes the importance of emotional awareness as a tool for healing.
Mental Health as Mission
Today, Dr. Narang is more than a medical expert — he is also a mental health advocate. He works to combat stigma and educate the public. Through online platforms and outreach, he offers resources for those struggling in silence.
He is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) and holds active licenses in Florida and New York. His practice, ACES Psychiatry, focuses on compassionate, evidence-based care, particularly for children and adolescents. This group is often underserved in traditional mental healthcare.
Dr. Narang’s story serves as a reminder that resilience isn’t something you’re born with — it’s something you earn. By facing discomfort, processing setbacks, and staying connected to purpose, he not only rebuilt his life. He has helped hundreds of others do the same.
“This Struggle Does Not Define You.”
In the end, Dr. Narang wants readers to remember that challenge is not failure — it is transformation.
“This struggle does not define you,” he says, “but navigating it will forge a resilience you never knew you had.”
Whether you’re starting a business, going through a life transition, or simply trying to make it through a hard season, Dr. Narang’s journey is a powerful testament. You’re not alone, and you are stronger than you think.
