I know It can be difficult to find a psychiatry provider that feels like a good fit for your care, and even harder when that care is for your child. It is important to feel connected to your provider as the relationship allows for the trust and engagement needed for the best treatment outcomes. In too many cases, kids and their families have been shuffled around through school districts and college campuses that are resistant to more individualized support, gone to primary care doctors who don’t have the time allotted to address mental health care, and clinics that change their providers so often that patients don’t have a chance to get comfortable enough to make progress. My small, solo private practice allows for provider consistency, quality and availability.
I am an ANCC Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and young adults in outpatient clinics, residential facilities, partial hospitalization programs, and day treatment. I have practicing in the Hudson Valley for over a decade, specializing in child, adolescent, and young adult psychiatry. My approach is compassionate, direct, insight-oriented, and tailored to individual and family needs. I provide both psychotherapy and medication management when appropriate. I received my undergraduate degree from Bard College (BA in social science/psychology) and Registered Nurse training at Albany Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. I completed my MS degree in nursing with advanced training in psychiatry at Sage Graduate School in Albany/Troy, NY.
Before my Nurse Practitioner license and certification, I worked as an RN exclusively in residential settings for individuals with social, emotional, developmental, and intellectual disabilities.
I provide treatment for children and adolescents within a developmental and family systems framework. To this end, I include the family in the initial assessment, and the family plays an important role in the ongoing treatment. It is important for each child (and parent/guardian) to understand problems in light of the current stage of development, stresses at home and school, and his or her role in the family. Often treatment includes individual sessions with the child, sessions with parents, and sessions together. In this way, the entire family is brought to a place of better emotional functioning, benefitting not only the child but everyone. In the case of young adults, I will work without family but will still offer insight into the whole person and the world in which they live. I am proficient in psychopharmacology and will prescribe medication when it is warranted, but will also provide education, make CSE recommendations, make referrals to various community supports, consult with specialists, and include evidence-based integrative therapies. Medication is a tool, but it is not the only tool we will use.
I have expertise in the areas of Anxiety, Depression, Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, PTSD, OCD, and Gender Affirming Care. I specialize in working with patients ages 5-27 years. Older adults are considered on a case-by-case basis.
I offer both in-person visits in Highland, NY as well as telehealth visits and work with individuals to decide which modality is desired and most appropriate for best care.
Unfortunately many commercial and managed insurance plans hinder time in care with data tracking and excess regulatory practices such as repetitive surveys and plans. Our time will not be spent completing surveys to prove to companies that we are working toward best outcomes or tracking trends for health agencies. Our time will be spent addressing your individual needs. While I do not accept insurance, I can provide patients with a superbill to provide to insurance policies with out of network coverage. Every patient will be given a good faith estimate of treatment costs up front. My rate is $200 per hour and is pro-rated to the amount of time needed for different kinds of appointments. While there are exceptions, generally patients can expect that Psychiatric Evaluations will run for 90-120 minutes, therapy and medication management appointments can run from 15 minutes (for maintenance/refills) to 60 minutes for acute issues and changes.
Can you diagnose Autism? Yes, but currently I do not conduct formalized testing. I base a diagnosis on clinical presentation and developmental history. If your child requires ADOS testing, I can make a referral. I am not an ABA therapist but can help locate providers and refer you if appropriate.
Do you diagnose and treat ADHD? I diagnose only with proper screening and history according to the latest DSM criteria. Patients on stimulant medication will need to periodically be seen in person and may be subject to urine drug screening.
Can you help my child get the services they need in school? I will write official recommendation letters for testing, IEPs, and 504 plans. I can also review existing testing and services for appropriateness.
Will you collaborate with my therapist if I am just looking for medication management? Absolutely. A good therapeutic relationship can be difficult to find and I'd be happy to facilitate you staying with your current therapist.
Please feel free to ask any other questions during our consultation.
I look forward to working with you and am happy to provide a complimentary 15-minute phone call to see if my practice is a good fit for you, your child, and your family. Email or phone to schedule your consultation or appointment.
Mon | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Tue | By Appointment | |
Wed | By Appointment | |
Thu | By Appointment | |
Fri | By Appointment | |
Sat | By Appointment | |
Sun | Closed |
In person hours currently on Mondays only.
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