Laura Yvonne Smith

Hi, I'm Laura. I'm a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with over 20 years of healthcare experience. I specialize in psychiatric evaluation and medication management for women, women-aligned, and non-binary adults experiencing anxiety, OCD, burnout, trauma, ADHD, and life transitions.

My style is thoughtful, down-to-earth, and collaborative. I want you to feel heard, not rushed or "figured out." I provide evidence-based medication management combined with supportive psychotherapy, practical coping strategies, and education so our appointments are about more than simply adjusting medications.

I believe good psychiatric care is a partnership. I take time to understand the full picture, including your symptoms, medical history, stressors, and what is happening in your life before making treatment recommendations.

When medication is part of the plan, I prescribe thoughtfully and explain the risks, benefits, and alternatives so you can make informed decisions. During follow up visits, I integrate supportive psychotherapy, CBT, ACT, psychoeducation, and practical skill building into medication management appointments to help you make meaningful progress between visits.

Every treatment plan is individualized. For many people, medication management combined with therapy provides the best outcomes. I frequently collaborate with therapists as part of a patient's care, and if you don't already have a therapist, I'm happy to help you find one that fits your needs. While some patients benefit from more therapy within my practice, my primary focus is providing comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and medication management.

It's completely normal to feel nervous before your first appointment. My goal is to create a calm, supportive space where you feel comfortable sharing your story at your own pace.

Your first appointment is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. We'll spend time understanding your current concerns, your history, and your goals for treatment. I'll ask thoughtful questions, explain my clinical impressions, and discuss whether medication may be a helpful part of your care.

Most importantly, I don't want you to leave wondering, "Now what?" By the end of our appointment, we'll have a clear understanding of the next steps and a personalized treatment plan so you know what to expect moving forward.