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Headshot of Sharon Atwood, NP

Sharon Atwood

Psychiatric Mental Health NP(She/Her)
4 years of experience
  • Virtual
  • Anxiety, ADD/ADHD, Depression, Anger management, PTSD
  • Medication management, Individual therapy

Great to meet you!

I am Sharon Atwood, a dual board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Adult Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of hands-on clinical experience serving adults and older adults. I hold active, unrestricted licenses in Florida, New York, California, and Idaho, and I provide care through both telehealth and outpatient settings.

My academic journey reflects a deep, enduring passion for mental health and human behavior. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology magna cum laude from Kean University, followed by a Master of Science in Nursing from Florida Atlantic University and a Post-Master's Certificate in Psychiatric-Mental Health from the University of Miami, both completed summa cum laude. I maintain board certifications through ANCC and AANP and hold active membership in the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, and the California Association of Nurse Practitioners.

My clinical background spans adult and geriatric primary care, integrated psychiatric services, crisis intervention, and outpatient psychiatric medication management. This diverse experience has prepared me to address a wide range of conditions with both skill and compassion, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, OCD, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, sleep disturbances, grief, anger management, and complex co-occurring presentations. I welcome individuals with treatment-resistant symptoms and those still searching for the right provider.

I specialize in working with adults aged 18 and older, helping to uncover root causes and develop plans for genuine growth. My approach is collaborative and evidence-based, combining psychiatric medication management with integrative wellness strategies that address sleep, nutrition, exercise, stress, and meaningful connection. I believe that expert care works best alongside healthy lifestyle habits and a sense of humor.

My approach to therapy

A few core convictions sit at the heart of my philosophy: care thrives as a genuine partnership, clinical precision truly matters, and even expert mental health treatment works best alongside healthy daily habits and a little lightheartedness. With over a decade of experience in adult and geriatric primary care, integrated behavioral health, crisis work, and outpatient medication management, I bring a broad, grounded, deeply human perspective to everyone I meet.

I see adults 18 and older, tracing symptoms back to their roots and building practical, individualized strategies for lasting progress. Whether by video or in person, my approach stays rooted in evidence, centered on you, and focused on bringing comfort and firmer footing to your everyday life.

I give unhurried time to the whole picture of who you are: your symptoms, mental health history, medical history, family patterns, daily routines, and hopes, because care only works when it honors the whole person, not a diagnosis alone. You are far more than any label, and I keep that in view through our work.

With medication, I stay deliberate, careful, and transparent. I assess with care, explain my reasoning openly, and walk through each choice: how a medicine works, what benefit it offers, and which side effects may surface. I lean into shared decisions, letting your voice, preferences, and comfort steer each step. I follow your progress closely, welcome your feedback, and adjust the plan as needs shift.

I connect with your other providers wherever teamwork improves outcomes, and I stay reachable between visits. What drives me most is guiding you toward durable relief and renewed balance, supporting the hopeful future you deserve. You deserve a provider who sees all of who you are, and that's who I am here to be.

What you can expect from me

Your first appointment is dedicated to getting to know you and establishing a genuine alliance built on trust and mutual respect. As a dual board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Adult Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience across diverse clinical environments, I'm fully prepared to meet you exactly where you stand today.

We'll begin by exploring what led you to seek care — the symptoms or concerns weighing on you most and how they're shaping your daily functioning, career, relationships, sleep, and overall sense of well-being. You're welcome to share as much or as little as feels comfortable — there's no pressure and no judgment here.

I specialize in serving adults eighteen and older across a broad spectrum of conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, OCD, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, sleep challenges, grief, and complex co-occurring presentations. I welcome the opportunity to help identify the underlying causes and develop meaningful, actionable steps forward together.

We'll review your psychiatric background, covering prior diagnoses, earlier treatments, and medications you've tried — what proved effective, what fell short, and any adverse reactions you encountered. We'll also go through your medical history, active prescriptions, family psychiatric patterns, and lifestyle factors such as sleep, nutrition, physical movement, and stress.

If medication management becomes part of our direction, I'll walk you through your options in clear, straightforward language — how they function, realistic timelines for improvement, potential side effects, and how we'll track your response together. I'm a firm advocate for collaborative decision-making, and your comfort consistently guides our course.

You will leave with a clear diagnosis, a personalized care plan, and a devoted partner committed to supporting your lasting well-being.

About me

  • I identify as
    Caucasian, Cisgender Woman
  • My style is
    Warm, Holistic, Open Minded

Qualification and insurance

  • Years of experience
    4 years of experience
  • Training
    Other at University of Miami, MS (Master of Science) at Florida Atlantic University
  • License type
    NP (Nurse Practitioner) (California)
  • Licensed in
  • Insurance accepted
    Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Carelon Behavioral Health, Cigna, Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey, Independence Blue Cross Pennsylvania - Virtual National Network

Cost

Care details

  • Top specialties
    Anxiety, ADD/ADHD, Depression, Anger management, PTSD
  • More specialties
    OCD, Sleep disorder, LGBTQIA+, Stress management, Panic disorders, Grief or loss, Maternal mental health, Relationship issues, Trauma, Transgender issues
  • Therapy methods
    Motivational Interviewing
  • Care types
    Medication management, Individual therapy
  • Ages served
    Adults, Seniors
  • Languages
    English
  • Locations
    111 North Market Street
    San Jose, CA 95113
    Location 1 of 47