Paulo Vilela Rodrigues

Hello, I’m Paulo Rodrigues. As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, my mission is to provide you with compassionate, evidence-based care that honors the uniqueness of your personal experience. Before becoming a PMHNP, I earned my PhD in Physiology and Pharmacology. This scientific background allows me to go beyond just prescribing medication; I am passionate about psychoeducation, helping you understand the "how" and "why" behind your symptoms and your treatment options. I believe that when you understand the biology of your mental health, you are better empowered to navigate your journey toward wellness.

Throughout my career, I have worked in a variety of settings—from intensive hospital units and addiction recovery centers to quiet outpatient clinics. I have experience supporting individuals through a wide range of challenges, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, ADHD, Schizophrenia and substance use disorders. I also bring a background in cardiology and critical care, which helps me safely manage your mental health even when complex physical health issues are involved.

My approach to mental health care is to use a holistic, warm, nonjudgmental, client-centered and evidence-based to help you to navigate your mental health struggles. I believe that psychiatry and therapy are a collaborative process where we work together to break through cycles of anxiety and depression to rediscover your sense of self.

I specialize in working with teens and adults who are facing struggles with ADHD, Anxiety, PTSD, Depression, Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia. In our work together, I often use CBT, motivation interviewing, mindfulness and aspects of DBT along with medication management to help you move from feeling that you are caring the weight of the world in your shoulders to feeling that you can breathe easily and be hopeful that everything is going to be ok.

In our sessions, you can expect a partner who is empathetic, organized, and deeply committed to your stability. Whether we are utilizing medication management, exploring Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), or even incorporating holistic elements like music therapy, my goal is to ease your suffering.

In our first therapeutic/psychiatric session we’ll start by getting comfortable and creating an nonjudgmental space and supportive space where you can share as much or as little as you feel ready to. We will move at your pace. We focus on understanding your unique story and what brings you to the clinic. We talk a bit about your medical background, family history, and past experiences with mental health. Then, we going to set collaborative and achievable goals. We’ll talk about what "feeling better" actually looks like for you. I will share my professional insights and suggest evidence-based treatments tailored to your needs. I look forward to meeting you and working together to build a treatment plan that helps you feel like yourself again.