Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (or PMHNPs) are advanced practice nurses licensed to diagnose and treat mental health conditions, including prescribing medication and providing therapy. I hold independent licensure in Massachusetts, which means I can offer psychiatric care without physician oversight. If you want to nerd out about how PMHNPs are trained and what makes us special, feel free to ask me any specific questions.

For more info, check out this short film about badass PMHNP, Whitney Fear.

I provide:

• Psychiatric medication management (ages 10-ish through middle adulthood)

• Psychotherapy (as a standalone service or integrated with meds)

• Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), both full-service and collaborative prescribing

• One-time psychiatric consultations

Visit the Services page for full descriptions.

Yes. I now offer psychotherapy as a standalone service or integrated with medication management. My therapy style is psychodynamic, relational, and trauma-informed. Space is limited for weekly sessions; we’ll co-create a rhythm and structure that feels right for your needs — whether that’s short-term support, longer-term depth work, or something in between.
If you're already working with a therapist, we can coordinate care or discuss whether additional therapy with me would be helpful.

Every appointment is a chance to check in on how you’re doing — emotionally, mentally, and with any treatments we’ve started. We’ll track progress, adjust the plan as needed, and explore what’s going on in your life that might be affecting your mental health.
Sessions may include medication management, supportive therapy, psychoeducation (aka me busting out my whiteboard), or whatever else you need. Feel like taking a walk around downtown Salem while we chat? We’ll go do that. I’m collaborative by nature — I won’t push anything on you, and I genuinely love answering questions. If you read something online or have a weird med myth to debunk, bring it.

Check out my Services page for additional details.

Totally valid. I understand how frustrating it can be to feel like a guinea pig in the mental health system. I’ll never pressure you or your child into starting meds. Instead, I aim to educate and explore all available options — including non-medication approaches.

If we do consider medication, I focus on using the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary time, and we’ll check in often about how it’s working (or not). You deserve to feel informed, supported, and in control of your treatment.

My About Me page offers more insight into my approach toward psychiatric care. Whether or not we are the right fit is something we won’t know for sure until we meet, but here’s a general guide:

I may be a good fit for you if:

• You want a collaborative, trauma-informed approach

• You value honesty, flexibility, and a bit of humor

• You prefer private pay (to keep your care private)

• You’re looking for someone who respects your autonomy

• You want a prescriber who plays well with others (therapists, PCPs, etc.)

I might not be the right fit if:

• You’re seeking specialized care for active substance use or addiction

• You require 24/7 on-call access or very frequent sessions

• You’d benefit more from a geriatric psychiatry specialist

If I’m not the right provider, I’ll do my best to refer you to someone who might be.

At the beginning, we’ll meet more frequently to complete your evaluation and build rapport. After that, frequency depends on your needs and goals.

For medication management, most clients meet with me monthly or every 6–8 weeks, with a minimum quarterly appointment required for controlled medications.

We’ll always tailor your treatment plan to what makes sense for your life, preferences, and progress.

Great question — and an important one. I operate as a private pay provider because it allows me to offer care that is:

• More flexible and responsive to your actual needs (not just what insurance covers)

• Confidential, without insurance companies accessing your diagnosis or session notes

• Focused on quality over quantity, without time limits or bureaucratic restrictions

I believe that mental health care should be collaborative, values-driven, and human — not dictated by insurance coding. That said, I do offer superbills for out-of-network reimbursement if your plan allows.

If working with me depends on reimbursement, please call your insurance provider before booking an intake. I’ll gladly provide superbills, letters of medical necessity, or support for peer-to-peer appeals if needed.

Helpful questions to ask your insurer:

• Does my plan include mental health benefits?

• What’s my out-of-network deductible, and have I met it?

• What’s my coinsurance rate for OON outpatient mental health?

• Do I need a referral or prior auth?

• How do I submit reimbursement claims?

• Are virtual (telehealth) sessions covered?

Here are the codes I most commonly use:

• 90792 – Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation

• 99204 + 90836 – Extended intake with therapy

• 99213 / 99214 – Ongoing medication management

• 90833 / 90836 / 90838 – Add-on therapy during med sessions

These may vary depending on session type. I’ll include the correct codes on your superbill which is automatically sent to you via patient portal on the 10th of each for the month before.

I offer a tiered pricing model designed to increase financial accessibility while sustaining my practice. You can choose the tier that best reflects your current financial reality — no application or documentation required. If your situation changes, we can revisit your tier at any time.

If you're seeking additional support, you might explore third-party resources such as:

• Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) or health savings accounts (HSAs)

• CareCredit, Advance Care, or Prosper Healthcare Lending — medical financing tools some clients use for therapy or psychiatric care

• Low-interest personal loans through platforms like Zable or other loan comparison sites

Note: I am not currently partnered with these platforms and do not receive compensation from them. You're welcome to explore them independently if they feel helpful to your situation.

Visit the Fees & Payment page to learn more about my tiered rates and how to choose your tier.