My path into mental health care wasn’t a straight line, but looking back, I realize I was always meant to be here. Early in my life, I witnessed loved one’s struggle with Alzheimer’s, substance use, domestic violence, and severe mental illness. I saw the challenges caregivers faced and how mental health conditions affected not just the individual but entire families.

At first, I resisted psychiatry. Even though I excelled in my psychiatric nursing studies, I envisioned a different career path. But no matter how many times I tried to go in a different direction, I kept being pulled back to mental health care. My first psychiatric nursing job was an eye-opening experience. I built strong rapport with my patients and saw how meaningful the work was. Yet, I still felt like something was missing. I wanted to do more.

That desire to provide better, more comprehensive care led me to pursue my doctorate and become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. But even after working in outpatient psychiatry, I knew I hadn’t yet found the right fit. The rushed appointments, the focus on medication over deeper healing, and the lack of time to truly connect with patients didn’t sit right with me. I wanted to provide the kind of care that I would want for myself—where patients feel heard, understood, and fully supported.

That’s why I started my own practice. Here, I take the time to listen. I treat the whole person, not just the symptoms. And I use a variety of evidence-based and integrative approaches—including therapy, nutrition, mindfulness, and spiritual support—to help my patients build lasting resilience.