About

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BACKGROUND

I am a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) licensed in Washington State and certified by the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC). I earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with minor in Psychology from Ryerson University in 2007, and a Master of Science in Nursing from Wayne State University in 2018. 

I worked as a Registered Nurse in this specialty for 8 years prior to returning to school to complete my graduate degree. My clinical experience includes work with individuals in crisis and emergency psychiatry, inpatient psychiatry, inpatient medical detox and substance use treatment, community mental health clinics and hospital-based out-patient behavioral health. 

APPROACH

Working with individuals challenged by mental health and substance use disorders is a passion of mine, and it truly is a privilege. Problems like these are actually very common. I recognize that simply acknowledging that we are having a problem can be an enormous hurdle to overcome. My hope is that I can provide an atmosphere which is open and non-judgmental, and allows individuals whom I work with to share.  

Pharmacotherapy is one of several tools we can use to facilitate healing and recovery. In many cases it is not likely to be the only important tool to consider, however. Psychotherapy is also among the most effective treatments for many mental health problems. Furthermore, there is a large and ever-growing body of evidence underlining adverse effects of some of our dietary choices, chronic stress, the impact of inadequate physical activity and insufficient rest/recreation and social activity which can undermine our health and resilience.

My goal is to partner with individuals to identify appropriate evidence-based treatments which align with their values.  

At times I will incorporate components of psychotherapy into the medication visit, when necessary and appropriate. These modalities include behavioral activation, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), general psychiatric management (GPM), interpersonal psychotherapy, motivational interviewing, psycho-education and supportive psychotherapy.