Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

My ideal patients are children, adolescents, parents, pregnant/lactating people, and LGBTQ+ folks with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, & ADHD. I believe in unconditional positive regard and that every individual has the potential to be an ideal patient. I appreciate that everyone is unique with complex circumstances and diverse capabilities. Despite these differences, most clients have similar needs and goals. They need respect, empathy, support, and evidence-based information. They want to be heard, cared for, and to feel better.

I have over two decades of experience caring for infants, children, & adolescents in outpatient, inpatient, and school settings. I understand that navigating treatment can be particularly complex when working with children and during pregnancy. Deciding to take medication is highly personal & complicated. Medication is not always appropriate, but it can be an integral part of an effective treatment plan for many patients. I do not try to convince patients to agree to a treatment plan they are not comfortable with. My role is to provide information and options and to support the patient’s decisions.

I support and accept all patients without judgement. I honor each patient’s individuality with the knowledge that life is complicated. It is extremely important to me that patients feel comfortable and safe. It is not easy for most patients to let their guard down and allow themselves to be vulnerable. I appreciate this difficulty and feel it is a privilege to be trusted with intensely personal information. To foster a trusting and honest relationship with my patients I model consistency, set healthy boundaries, and communicate clearly. To counter the heaviness of mental health care I strive to incorporate humor whenever possible. My overarching goal as a PMHNP is to offer hope and a sensible treatment plan.