ABOUT ME
I graduated with a BS in Nursing from Indiana University in 2002, and worked as an ER nurse for nearly 20 years before turning my focus toward mental health. During those years, I worked in hospitals all over the country and saw the same thing in every place- inadequate care for mental health in a system that is stretched too thin. Our healthcare system simply does not prioritize mental health. Seeing patients for years not getting the kind of care they deserve gave me the motivation to pursue the education and training to become a Nurse Practitioner specializing in mental health. I just knew I could offer something different and much, much better.
I obtained a master's degree from Wilkes University in Pennsylvania in 2020 and am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). I've also obtained additional training in Nutritional Psychiatry, and I hold certification as an Integrative Mental Health Professional (CIMHP). This training allows me to focus more on healing the root causes of what brings people to seek care rather than just treating their symptoms. This more holistic approach to caring for people is the only one that makes sense to me, and I've seen first hand how providing the extra time and attention really does help people feel better faster.
In addition to my decades in healthcare, I've been a classical pianist, endurance cyclist, yoga teacher, amateur baker, and a lifelong experimenter with my own nutrition and lifestyle to heal and optimize my health, so I have a lot to share and know that having an experienced guide when making changes is invaluable. I'm fascinated by the power of music, nature, meditation, movement, food, and connection to heal us.
I strive to "walk the talk," which means that I can not only help you understand the link between nutrition and your mood, I can also give you shopping lists, recipes, and cooking tips I've developed for myself. Rather than just advising you to be more active, I can coach you in setting up an exercise routine that can target your particular symptoms, and optimize the health of your brain as well as your body. Simply put, I can meet you where you are today without judgement, help you identify your goals, and then help you meet them!
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I strongly believe in the power of connection between patients and providers, so you can be sure that if we work together, you won't be alone on your journey.
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WHO AND HOW DO I HELP?
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If any of this sounds familiar...
You experience frequent worry, difficulty falling or staying asleep, low mood and energy, trouble relaxing, a constant feeling of tension or feeling "tired but wired." You have a hard time finding a good work/life balance, you have challenges with low self-worth and boundary setting. You feel stuck and you're unsure how to get 'unstuck'. You want to understand the root causes of your symptoms. You're interested in reaching your health and personal growth goals, and are ready to find a provider who supports you in these endeavors...
...then my approach might be right for you.
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I specialize in treating the anxiety, panic, depression, trauma and sleep issues that manifest in many of the symptoms listed above. My goal is to help you optimize your health and experience more joy, peace, resilience and contentment. We all know there's no silver bullet when it comes to optimizing our health. Getting to the root of the problem may mean checking for common biological issues that can hinder your progress and keep you from feeling your best. I offer traditional and functional lab testing, supportive psychotherapy, detailed nutritional recommendations, exercise and lifestyle coaching, sleep optimization, mindfulness practices, personalized nutraceutical and supplement recommendations, and medications, if indicated.
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If you are looking for a trusted partner in your mental and physical health, want to understand the root causes of the way you've been feeling, and prefer highly personalized and thoughtful care that draws from many different modalities and includes medications as only one of many options, then you're in the right place.
If you're ready to prioritize your mental and physical health let's go on this journey together.
