Bipolar disorder therapists & psychiatrists in Salida, CO

I am a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to delivering comprehensive, patient-centered care. I have advanced training in mental health assessment, medication management, and therapeutic support for individuals of all ages. I work with clients dealing with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, trauma-related issues, and ADHD. My goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where clients feel heard and respected.

I have enjoyed working with families, teens and adults for the past 26 years. I am passionate about helping people understand themselves better and live a more joyful life. I would love to have the opportunity to work with you and value the therapeutic relationship.

I am a PMHNP-BC, board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care for adults and adolescents. I combine clinical expertise with a holistic, faith-informed approach, emphasizing collaboration, education, and individualized treatment planning.

I am a lover of many things, but there is nothing dearer and nearer to my heart than the clients I help. I have been a nurse for 18 years now. Almost 100% of those years, I have spent working in or around mental health. Not to mention, I grew up in a family where mental illness directly impacted my family members. This is how and why I am passionate and dedicated to giving the utmost respect and care to any and all clients who choose me as their mental health provider. I want my clients to think of me as their teammate when it comes to battling mental health.

Finding mental health care can be daunting. Often individuals come to me confused about what they are feeling, why they are feeling that way, and how to make change. This process can be even more confusing if you come from a marginalized community or have felt othered in ways that make you question your intuition. I want to take the time and care necessary to get to the heart of what makes you who you are. The details of what you are experiencing matter. The only way I can help is if I truly understand.

A little bit about me:

I moved to Denver in the summer of 2020 having spent most of my life as a northern Californian.

My earlier experiences working in behavioral research on HIV prevention led me to a career in nursing. I attended the University of CA - San Francisco where I finished my master’s degree in nursing in 2008. I trained both as an adult primary care nurse practitioner and also as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, which was particularly helpful when starting my first nursing job in a very busy ED in Washington DC. There I found myself gravitating towards psychiatric care and decided to practice mental health care exclusively.

Since that time I have worked in mental health in various roles and settings, both inpatient and outpatient, in high acuity contexts as well as in primary care and prevention. I gained experience working with medically complicated/fragile patients and those with co-occurring substance use disorders. I've provided integrated behavioral health care to adult outpatients attending primary care clinics in CA, working closely with MDs, NPs and others, and across various specialties, in order to increase utilization and improve outcomes in behavioral health care. This work led me to my current interest in caring for healthcare providers themselves, whose mental health can often go overlooked.

I have 30 years of experience in the behavioral health field and supporting clients with evidence based skills and lived experience. Together we can explore your goals, struggles and successes. I specialize in anxiety, depression, substance use/misuse issues, stress and life transitions. My main approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Motivational techniques to help guide your self discovery. Professionals looking to navigate work related demands, I provide coaching and direction to maximize professional and leadership skills to meet your potential. We will work at your comfort level in a supportive environment of exploration and change.