9 Acton Rd, Chelmsford, MA 01824 (978)2566579 (Phone)
Languages:
English Spanish
Philosophy:
As an Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, my goal is to assist those with behavioral health problems to become as functional as possible. I believe this is best achieved through therapy, with medication as an adjunct. The therapist, prescriber and the patient collaborate to make this happen. The patient is active in the process, and has the responsibility of communicating with the clinical providers when strategies or medications are not working.
I firmly believe in the mind-body connection - - in BOTH directions! Thoughts create emotions and the body responds. The patient's physical condition in the moment - e.g., relief from pain, difficulty breathing, current weight - affects thoughts and emotions. Medication alone is not the answer.
I encourage patients to be active participants in their therapy, to try relaxation and sleep hygiene principles in addition to taking psychiatric medication. Patients have a responsibility to learn about the medication that they take: the name, dose, how to take it correctly, why they are taking it, how soon it will take effect, the potential side effects, and how to know it is working. Part of my job is to educate the patient about their medication.
Psychopharmacology appointments are not just to get prescriptions. I need to evaluate your response to the medications, assess risk and learn whether your health or other medications have changed. When a medication is started or changed, appointments are more frequent to assess your response, and less frequent when you are stable on a particular medication regime. My office, Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates, located in Chelmsford MA, has a number of therapists accepting new patients.
Education:
Fellowship Hospital Hvma Behavioral Health Fellowship Graduated: 2004 Fellowship Hospital Mount Holyoke College Graduated: 1974 Fellowship Hospital Regis College Graduated: 1993 Fellowship Hospital Umass Lowell-Ms, Gerontological Np Graduated: 2000 Fellowship Hospital Umass Lowell-Post-Grad-Psychiatric/Mh Np Graduated: 2003