Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, MSN,  AGPCNP, PMHNP

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I started my nursing career as an LPN in the 1990s and earned my RN in 2000. The majority of my nursing career was spent in oncology/ cell transplant and hospice services. In 2014 I finished my masters degree in nursing as an Adult/Gero Nurse Practitioner and spent a year working in pulmonary medicine. In 2016 I joined the psychiatric team at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA where my passion for mental health was nurtured. I earned my post master’s certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in 2019.

Throughout my career, I have recognized how physical and mental health go hand in hand, though the treatments for each are often very separate. 

My goal as a PMHNP is to help you identify your mental health symptoms, make sure there is no physical or biological cause, and make recommendations about treatment options.  Mental health often has a three-pronged treatment approach- 1. Coping techniques/skills, 2. Lifestyle changes if needed, 3 medications- which is where my specialty lies.   My philosophy is to use the least possible medication for the most possible benefit.

I typically treat adults only but with a special interest in older adults with chronic medical issues. I also have a special interest in those in the LGBTQIA+ community and health care workers that are experiencing burn out.