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Integrative Psychiatric Approach

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My approach to psychiatric care is strongly influenced by my background in EMS, the fire service, emergency medicine, and critical care. Having served as both a firefighter and medic, I understand firsthand the culture of first response, including the expectation to remain composed under pressure, make critical decisions quickly, care for others during their most difficult moments, and then return to everyday life. I combine this perspective with evidence-based psychiatric evaluation and medication management while considering sleep, nutrition, physical health, stress, relationships, occupational demands, and overall functioning. My goal is to provide psychiatric care that recognizes the whole person, not simply a diagnosis or set of symptoms.

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Philosophy of Care

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First responders and healthcare professionals often become highly skilled at functioning through stress while placing their own needs behind those of the people they serve. My philosophy is centered on creating a respectful, confidential, and judgment-free environment where patients do not have to minimize what they are experiencing or explain the culture of their profession. I believe effective psychiatric care should be collaborative and practical, building upon the strengths, discipline, and resilience patients already possess while identifying areas where additional support may be needed.

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Education

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I hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Molloy College and a Master of Science in Nursing from Long Island University CW Post. I completed advanced graduate studies in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and am board certified as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). My professional training also includes Firefighter I and II, Fire Officer training, Incident Command, HAZMAT, emergency and critical care, high-fidelity clinical simulation, and workplace violence prevention.

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Professional Experience

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My professional experience bridges behavioral health, emergency medicine, critical care, nursing leadership, education, EMS, and the fire service. I served with the Uniondale Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter and medic for nearly a decade, responding to medical emergencies, trauma, fires, and search and rescue incidents while also helping coordinate EMS operations and train new members. My healthcare career has included medical and surgical intensive care, emergency and critical care education, nursing leadership, and service as a Director of Nursing, Nurse Educator, ICU Educator and Charge Nurse, and Adjunct Clinical Instructor. Together, these roles have given me a firsthand understanding of crisis response, high-stakes decision-making, team dynamics, leadership, and the cumulative demands associated with caring for others.

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Personal Inspiration

 

Some calls stay with you. During my years as an EMT and firefighter, there were calls and situations that affected me personally and reminded me that we are human before we are first responders. I learned how important it is to talk about those experiences instead of simply moving on to the next call. That is why debriefings and checking in with one another mean so much to me. I want other first responders to know that it is okay to say when something was hard. It is okay not to be okay. Sometimes just having someone who understands the job listen can make a difference.

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Current Practice

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In my current practice, I bring my experience as a psychiatric provider, nurse, educator, and first responder together to provide individualized mental health care. I have a particular understanding of the needs of firefighters, EMS professionals, healthcare workers, and others working in high-stress service professions. Having worked within these environments myself, I recognize that seeking mental health care can feel very different for someone accustomed to being the person others depend on during a crisis.

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