Ijeoma Okoye
Ijeoma Okoye
(she/her)
I am a compassionate and culturally sensitive Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) committed to providing patient-centered, holistic care. I specialize in medication management, therapy, and evidence-based interventions for conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, and more. My focus is on creating a safe, supportive environment where clients feel heard, empowered, and equipped with the tools they need to achieve lasting mental health and overall well-being.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In my first session, clients can expect to discuss their concerns, goals, and background in a safe, non-judgmental space. We will explore your mental health history, current symptoms, and any challenges you may be facing. Together, we’ll develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs, focusing on a holistic, individualized approach. I will also answer any questions about the therapy process, medication options (if needed), and how we can work together to achieve your mental health goals.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
As a provider, I believe my greatest strengths lie in my holistic approach to mental health care, my commitment to cultural sensitivity, and my focus on creating a safe, supportive environment for my clients. I take time to truly listen to their experiences, ensuring that their treatment plan is tailored to their unique needs. My background in trauma-informed care allows me to work with individuals who have complex histories, and my emphasis on patient empowerment helps them take an active role in their healing process. Additionally, I prioritize collaboration with other health professionals to provide integrated, comprehensive care.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I am best positioned to serve clients seeking holistic, culturally sensitive care for mental health challenges. This includes individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, schizophrenia, and substance use issues, among others. My practice is well-suited for clients who value trauma-informed approaches, patient empowerment, and integrated care. I can support those looking for telehealth services, personalized treatment plans, and evidence-based interventions. Additionally, clients seeking collaborative care with other health professionals would benefit from my patient-centered, comprehensive approach.
About Ijeoma Okoye
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In my practice as a PMHNP, I frequently incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as an evidence-based approach to help patients manage various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD. My experience with CBT involves guiding patients in identifying and restructuring negative thought patterns that contribute to their emotional distress and maladaptive behaviors. I use CBT techniques in both structured therapy sessions and brief interventions during medication management visits. I help patients recognize cognitive distortions, such as catastrophizing or black-and-white thinking, and replace them with more balanced perspectives. Additionally, I implement behavioral activation strategies to encourage engagement in positive activities, as well as thought records and guided discovery to challenge unhelpful beliefs. For example, when working with a patient struggling with social anxiety, I guide them through exposure therapy within the CBT framework, helping them gradually confront feared situations while using cognitive reframing techniques. With patients experiencing depression, I focus on identifying automatic negative thoughts and encouraging behavioral changes that promote a sense of accomplishment and pleasure. CBT is an integral part of my holistic, patient-centered approach, empowering individuals to develop practical coping skills, increase self-awareness, and achieve lasting mental health improvements.
Motivational Interviewing
In my practice as a PMHNP, I use Motivational Interviewing (MI) as a patient-centered approach to enhance motivation and commitment to change, particularly in individuals struggling with substance use, medication adherence, and ambivalence toward treatment. My experience with MI involves creating a nonjudgmental and empathetic space where patients feel heard and empowered to explore their own reasons for change. I utilize MI techniques by employing open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summarization (OARS) to guide conversations. This helps patients recognize discrepancies between their current behaviors and their personal goals, increasing their intrinsic motivation. Instead of directing or prescribing change, I help patients explore their ambivalence and reinforce their autonomy in decision-making. For instance, when working with a patient hesitant to start medication for depression, I use MI to explore their concerns, validate their feelings, and highlight the potential benefits in alignment with their personal values and goals. If a patient is struggling with substance use, I guide them through change talk by encouraging discussions about the pros and cons of their behavior, helping them identify their own motivations for healthier choices. By integrating MI into my practice, I foster a collaborative therapeutic relationship that encourages self-efficacy and long-term behavioral change, ensuring that treatment aligns with each patient’s readiness and personal values.
Interpersonal
In my practice as a PMHNP, I incorporate Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) to help patients navigate relationship challenges and improve their emotional well-being. My experience with IPT involves addressing how interpersonal issues—such as role transitions, grief, unresolved conflicts, or social isolation—contribute to mental health symptoms like depression and anxiety. I use IPT by helping patients identify specific interpersonal difficulties that may be impacting their mood and functioning. Through structured sessions, I guide them in exploring patterns in their relationships, improving communication skills, and developing healthier ways to express emotions and set boundaries. I also assist patients in processing unresolved grief, adjusting to major life changes, and strengthening their social support systems. For example, when working with a patient struggling with postpartum depression, I use IPT to help them navigate role transitions, address feelings of isolation, and improve communication with their partner and support network. If a patient is experiencing depression due to unresolved conflict with a loved one, I guide them in recognizing the impact of this strain and developing strategies to repair or cope with the relationship. By integrating IPT into my practice, I empower patients to enhance their interpersonal connections, reduce emotional distress, and develop healthier relationships that support their mental health and overall well-being.
Compassion Focused
In my practice as a PMHNP, I integrate Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) to help patients cultivate self-compassion, reduce self-criticism, and develop healthier emotional regulation strategies. My experience with CFT involves working with individuals who struggle with shame, trauma, anxiety, and depression, especially those who have deeply ingrained negative self-beliefs. I use CFT by guiding patients to recognize and reframe their inner self-critic, fostering a more compassionate and understanding internal dialogue. Through mindfulness, guided imagery, and compassionate mind training, I help patients develop a sense of warmth and kindness toward themselves, rather than judgment and self-blame. I also incorporate soothing rhythm breathing and self-compassion exercises to promote a sense of safety and emotional regulation. For instance, when working with a patient experiencing significant guilt and self-criticism due to past trauma, I use CFT techniques to help them differentiate between constructive reflection and harmful self-judgment. If a patient struggles with social anxiety rooted in fear of rejection, I guide them in developing self-reassurance strategies to replace avoidance with self-acceptance. By incorporating CFT into my practice, I empower patients to build emotional resilience, improve self-worth, and develop a kinder, more compassionate approach to themselves and their experiences, ultimately enhancing their overall mental well-being.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
In my practice as a PMHNP, I prioritize Culturally Sensitive Therapy to ensure that my patients feel seen, understood, and respected within the context of their unique cultural backgrounds. My experience with this approach involves working with individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds, recognizing how cultural identity shapes their experiences, beliefs about mental health, and approach to treatment. I use culturally sensitive therapy by first fostering an open and nonjudgmental space where patients feel safe discussing their cultural values, traditions, and personal experiences. I actively engage in cultural humility, acknowledging that each patient is the expert on their own lived experiences. I incorporate ethnically relevant psychoeducation, adapt therapeutic interventions to align with their cultural framework, and validate the impact of systemic stressors, such as discrimination, immigration challenges, or stigma surrounding mental health. For example, when working with an African American patient hesitant about psychiatric treatment due to historical mistrust in healthcare, I acknowledge these concerns and provide education in a way that validates their perspective. When supporting a patient from a collectivist culture who feels pressure to prioritize family expectations over personal well-being, I help them explore ways to balance both without guilt. By integrating cultural sensitivity into my practice, I ensure that my approach is inclusive, affirming, and tailored to each patient’s values, fostering a therapeutic relationship built on trust, respect, and empowerment.