Diane Grasso

I am a dual-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with more than 20 years of experience caring for individuals across the lifespan. My background in primary care has given me a strong understanding of the connection between physical health, mental health, medications, lifestyle, and overall well-being.

I completed my Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner and later returned to the University of Massachusetts Amherst to complete my Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification. Throughout my career, I have worked in primary care, hospital-based care, rehabilitation and long-term care, substance use treatment, and integrated behavioral health settings.

I am passionate about providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care while taking the time to understand each person as a whole. My goal is to create a collaborative relationship where clients feel heard, respected, and actively involved in decisions about their treatment.

My approach is collaborative, patient-centered, trauma-informed, and grounded in evidence-based practice. I believe effective psychiatric care involves more than simply treating a list of symptoms. I take time to understand each client's medical history, mental health concerns, medications, life circumstances, stressors, strengths, and individual goals.

My extensive background in primary care also allows me to consider how physical and mental health may interact and to approach treatment from a whole-person perspective. I value open communication and shared decision-making and work with clients to develop realistic, individualized treatment plans that support meaningful and sustainable improvement.

I strive to provide a supportive environment where clients can ask questions, understand their treatment options, and feel comfortable discussing concerns about medications or their mental health.

During the first session, my priority is getting to know you and developing a thorough understanding of what brings you to treatment. We will review your current concerns, symptoms, medical and psychiatric history, medications, previous treatment experiences, and the ways your symptoms may be affecting your daily life, relationships, work, school, or overall functioning.

We will also discuss what you hope to achieve through treatment. I encourage questions and want you to feel comfortable participating in decisions about your care. When appropriate, we will begin developing an individualized treatment plan together, which may include medication management, additional evaluation, coordination with other healthcare providers, or other supportive treatment recommendations.

My goal is for you to leave the first appointment feeling heard, better understood, and clear about the next steps in your care.