Kimberly De Paulo

Choosing a mental health provider is an important decision, and I believe the best care begins with feeling heard and understood. I'm a triple board-certified Nurse Practitioner with certifications in Family Practice, Emergency Care, and Psychiatric-Mental Health. My background includes over a decade of experience caring for patients in both emergency medicine and psychiatry, which has given me the opportunity to work with people during some of the most challenging moments of their lives.

I founded Kraken Psychiatry because I wanted to create a practice that looks beyond symptoms and diagnoses. I believe mental health is influenced by many factors—including biology, life experiences, relationships, sleep, nutrition, stress, and physical health. My goal is to understand the whole person and develop an individualized treatment plan that reflects your unique needs and goals.

I work with adolescents and adults experiencing conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, OCD, mood disorders, and other complex mental health concerns. I also have a special interest in integrative and precision psychiatry, combining evidence-based psychiatric care with lifestyle medicine, nutrition, and other complementary approaches when appropriate.

Whether you're seeking medication management, looking for answers after years of struggling, or simply hoping to feel like yourself again, my goal is to partner with you and provide compassionate, thoughtful care every step of the way.

I believe that every person's story is different, so treatment should never be "one size fits all." My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and evidence-based. Rather than focusing only on symptom relief, I work to understand what may be contributing to your symptoms so we can build a treatment plan that supports lasting wellness.

Together, we'll discuss your goals, review treatment options, and make decisions as a team. Depending on your needs, treatment may include medication management, psychotherapy, education, lifestyle modifications, sleep optimization, nutritional support, or additional laboratory or genetic testing when clinically appropriate.

I strive to create a space where you can be open without fear of judgment. My role isn't to tell you what to do—it's to help you understand your options, provide medical expertise, and support you in making informed decisions about your mental health.

Above all, I want my patients to leave each visit feeling heard, respected, and hopeful.

Your first appointment is an opportunity for us to get to know each other. I understand that beginning mental health treatment can feel overwhelming, so I work to create a welcoming, supportive environment where you can share your concerns at your own pace.

We'll spend time discussing what brought you to treatment, your current symptoms, medical history, previous treatments, lifestyle, sleep, stressors, and the goals you hope to achieve. I'll ask questions to gain a complete understanding of your experiences—not just your diagnosis, but how your symptoms affect your daily life and overall well-being.

By the end of the visit, we'll develop an initial treatment plan together. This may include medication recommendations, therapy referrals if appropriate, lifestyle strategies, additional evaluations or testing, and clear next steps. You'll have time to ask questions, and I encourage open communication throughout the process.

My goal is for you to leave your first appointment feeling understood, informed, and confident that you have a partner in your mental health journey.