“Depending on the clinical presentation during intake, follow-up can be every 2-4 weeks to assess for clinical improvement.”
What was your path to becoming a therapist?
I began my career as a registered nurse then transitioned to a nurse practitioner. I have worked in inpatient, outpatient, community clinics, shelter systems, and residential settings. I specialize in working with people with mental illness, and I desire to help others overcome their difficulties.
What should someone know about working with you?
My intake includes collecting information through a series of questions to formulate a diagnosis using psychiatric diagnostic criteria. Depending on the clinical presentation during intake, follow-up can be every 2-4 weeks to assess for clinical improvement. I work with clients 18 and older who present with psychiatric symptoms, such as depressed mood, anxiety, psychosis, and ADHD.
What do you do to continue learning and building competencies as a provider?
I am interested in new treatment approaches to mental illnesses. I am interested in learning about new medications for mental illnesses. Collaboration ensures that the client receives wrap-around services for their issues, concerns, and problems. For example, the gold standard for treating depression is therapy and medication, so collaboration is needed.
What are you most excited about within the evolving mental health landscape?
I am excited about emerging drugs that can have immediate effects on diseases like depression (compared to the most common treatment that takes about two weeks to take effect). Esketamine, for instance, offers a direct and immediate impact on brain cells, resulting in improved depressive symptoms.
“I work with clients 18 and older who present with psychiatric symptoms, such as depressed mood, anxiety, psychosis, and ADHD.”