Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in New Jersey

MSN, APN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC

A Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner provides mental health services for patients from adolescence through adulthood (12-65+). Leona went to Widener University for Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, Walden University for Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner, and Wilkes University for Post-Masters Certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

I am a highly seasoned clinician with years of experience in both mental health care and substance use services. My professional journey began in the substance use field, sand a deep understanding of the co-occurring mental health challenges many individuals face.

My clinical experience includes providing outpatient individual therapy and supporting individuals experiencing acute psychosis in inpatient psychiatric settings. After gaining many years of clinical experience, I expanded into leadership roles, providing clinical supervision and program oversight while managing co-occurring programs across New Jersey. I am also passionate about building the next generation of clinicians and serve part-time as an adjunct professor. I earned my degrees from Rutgers University School of Social Work and Honors College, where I was a member of the Phi Alpha Honor Society and graduated summa cum laude.

I bring a diverse background and extensive knowledge to my clinical practice, having worked across a wide range of mental health and substance use settings. Over the years, I have gained experience with many different diagnoses, from anxiety and depression to trauma and co-occurring disorders. My expertise spans multiple evidence-based approaches, including ACT, CBT, DBT, SFT, trauma-informed care, person-centered therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and psychoanalytic techniques. This breadth allows me to tailor treatment to each individual’s unique needs, strengths, and goals, ensuring a personalized, effective, and compassionate approach to care.

Welcome! Allow me to introduce myself! I am a dually licensed professional counselor and I use a combination of CBT and client centered approaches to help my clients! - it wouldn’t be unlike me to ask what your “theme song” is! I’ve been working in the mental health field for over 20 years using play, music and art to facilitate growth! Occasionally my kitty Booger likes to pop up and say hi!

As a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC), I provide comprehensive, evidence-based care to individuals receiving inpatient and outpatient services through Rutgers Behavioral Health. I work with patients navigating a wide range of mental health challenges, with a focus on individualized, compassionate treatment. My goal is to help you achieve symptom relief, strengthen resilience, and move toward a more stable and fulfilling life aligned with your personal goals

Finding the right mental health provider can feel overwhelming, especially if you've tried therapy or medications in the past without getting the relief you were hoping for. My goal is to help you move beyond simply managing symptoms and toward feeling like yourself again.

I am a dual-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C) with over 16 years of healthcare experience. I specialize in treating adults with depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, insomnia, OCD, and treatment-resistant mood disorders. My advanced psychiatric training was completed through Monmouth University and Wilkes University, where I focused on Evidence-based psychiatric care.

I believe that effective treatment starts with understanding the whole person not just the diagnosis. Together, we'll explore the biological, psychological, and lifestyle factors contributing to your symptoms and develop a personalized treatment plan that fits your goals. My approach combines thoughtful medication management with practical therapeutic strategies that you can apply in everyday life.

For individuals whose depression has not improved after trying multiple antidepressants, I also evaluate and provide treatment options such as Spravato (esketamine) when clinically appropriate. My focus is always on finding the safest, most effective treatment based on your unique needs.

Patients often describe me as warm, approachable, honest, and solution focused. I strive to create a supportive, judgment-free environment where you feel heard, respected, and actively involved in your treatment decisions. Whether you're seeking help for the first time or looking for a new approach after previous treatments haven't worked, I'm committed to helping you build lasting emotional wellness and improve your quality of life.