Ritu Sharma

Hello, I'm Ritu Sharma — a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with a Master of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University and more than 10 years of experience in psychiatric care. I work with children, adolescents, adults, and seniors, bringing a deep background as both a registered psychiatric nurse and an advanced practice provider to every person I serve.

My clinical focus is broad: depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, OCD, ADD/ADHD, panic disorders, sleep disorders, substance use, anger management, grief, stress, relationships, women's issues, family concerns, and chronic conditions. I also have a specific focus on supporting individuals living with health-related disabilities — recognizing the unique psychological challenges that can come with navigating physical health limitations alongside mental health needs.

I am committed to culturally responsive care and have a long history of working with diverse populations. I believe that identity, background, and lived experience are not incidental to mental health — they are central to it.

My approach is warm, evidence-based, and genuinely individualized — grounded in the belief that real therapeutic relationships are built through openness, active listening, and a sincere willingness to understand each person's unique story.

One of the most distinctive aspects of my practice is Family Focused Therapy (FFT) — a specialized, evidence-based approach designed to support families navigating serious mental illness, particularly bipolar disorder. FFT helps family members understand the nature of psychiatric conditions, improve communication, reduce conflict, and develop practical problem-solving skills together. For families where a loved one's mental illness has created strain, confusion, or disconnection, FFT can be transformative.

For individual clients, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address the thought patterns and behaviors driving depression, anxiety, OCD, and mood challenges; Behavioral Therapy for targeted skill-building and habit change; and Motivational Interviewing to support clients navigating ambivalence about change — particularly those working through substance use or uncertainty about treatment.

Throughout everything, I prioritize empowerment — helping clients understand their conditions, their options, and their own capacity to heal.

In our first session, I want you to feel that this is a space where you can be honest — about what's been hard, what you've tried, and what you're hoping for.

We'll talk about what's brought you in, your history, and your current challenges. I'll listen carefully and ask questions — not to evaluate, but to understand you as a whole person. For families coming in together, I'll make space for every voice at the table.

By the end of our first meeting, we'll begin building a personalized plan: which approaches fit your situation, whether medication is part of the picture, and what to expect going forward. You'll leave with clarity about next steps and, I hope, a genuine sense of hope about what's possible.