Makeda Goodnight
I am a double board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Nurse Practitioner providing compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric care to individuals throughout California. I believe mental health care should center on the human experience, recognizing that each person's story, challenges, and strengths are unique. My practice focuses on creating individualized treatment plans that combine thoughtful medication management, education, and supportive therapy to improve both mental health and everyday functioning. Choosing a mental health provider is an important step, and my goal is to create a space where you feel heard, respected, and supported from day one. I believe the best treatment begins with understanding the whole person—not just their symptoms. Together, we'll explore how your mental health, physical health, relationships, work, and life experiences interact so we can develop a treatment plan that fits your goals. My approach is warm, compassionate, practical, and collaborative, with an emphasis on helping you build meaningful, lasting progress.
First session
Your first appointment is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin building a treatment plan together. We'll discuss your current concerns, mental health history, medical history, lifestyle, strengths, and goals, while taking time to understand how your symptoms affect your daily life. I believe psychiatric care should be collaborative rather than one-size-fits-all. I take a thoughtful and individualized approach to treatment recommendations, using medication only when appropriate and ensuring you understand the risks, benefits, and available options. My goal is for you to leave your first session feeling heard, informed, and confident about the next steps in your care.
Strengths
My greatest strength is taking a whole-person approach to psychiatric care. Rather than focusing solely on medication, I consider how sleep, nutrition, physical health, stress, relationships, work, and lifestyle influence emotional well-being. I believe patients achieve the best outcomes when treatment is individualized, evidence-based, and built through collaboration. As both a Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I bring a broader perspective to care by recognizing the connection between physical and mental health. I value patient education and shared decision-making, empowering you to understand your treatment options and play an active role in your journey toward wellness.
Ideal clients
I enjoy working with children, adolescents, and adults who are seeking thoughtful, evidence-based psychiatric care. Whether you are looking for ongoing medication management, an evaluation for new symptoms, or a more comprehensive approach that combines medication with education and supportive therapy, my goal is to provide care that is personalized, collaborative, and centered on your individual needs. Many of my patients come to me for concerns such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, mood disorders, stress, burnout, or major life transitions. I also have a special interest in supporting women's mental health through hormonal transitions, including PMDD, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause, where emotional and physical health are often closely connected. For children ages 6–12, I partner closely with parents and caregivers to better understand each child's strengths, challenges, and developmental needs. I believe families play an essential role in treatment and strive to create practical, individualized plans that support success at home, at school, and in everyday life. Whether you're seeking straightforward medication management or a provider who will take the time to look at the bigger picture, I strive to create a welcoming environment where you feel heard, respected, and actively involved in your care.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I incorporate cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles into medication management by helping clients recognize the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. During our sessions, we work together to identify unhelpful thinking patterns, develop healthier coping strategies, and create practical, achievable goals that support long-term emotional well-being. I believe medication is most effective when paired with evidence-based skills that patients can use in their daily lives. Depending on your needs, we may focus on stress management, behavioral activation, problem-solving, sleep hygiene, emotional regulation, or techniques to reduce anxiety and improve resilience. When appropriate, I also collaborate with or refer to therapists who provide more intensive CBT or other specialized therapeutic approaches as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I incorporate mindfulness-based techniques into treatment by helping clients develop greater awareness of their thoughts, emotions, and physical responses to stress. Together, we explore practical strategies such as grounding exercises, mindful breathing, present-moment awareness, and self-compassion to help reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and build resilience. I view mindfulness as one component of a comprehensive treatment plan that may also include medication management, healthy lifestyle habits, and evidence-based psychotherapy. When appropriate, I encourage collaboration with therapists who provide more structured mindfulness-based interventions or other specialized therapeutic approaches to support long-term mental wellness.
Faith-based therapy
When spirituality or faith is an important part of a client's life, I respect and thoughtfully incorporate those beliefs into treatment when desired. I recognize and agree that faith can be a meaningful source of strength, hope, resilience, and community, and I strive to provide care that aligns with each individual's values and personal beliefs. My approach is always client-centered— I do not impose spiritual beliefs but support clients who wish to include faithfulness as part of their mental health journey. When appropriate, I collaborate with faith leaders or refer to therapists who specialize in faith-based counseling while continuing to provide evidence-based psychiatric medication management.
Compassion-Focused
I incorporate principles of compassion-focused therapy by helping clients develop greater self-compassion and reduce patterns of self-criticism, shame, and perfectionism that often contribute to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Together, we work to foster a more balanced and supportive way of responding to life's challenges while building resilience and emotional well-being. I believe lasting progress comes from combining evidence-based management with practical coping skills and self-awareness. When clients would benefit from more in-depth compassion-focused psychotherapy, I encourage collaboration with therapists who specialize in this approach as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
I believe effective mental health care begins with understanding each person's unique background, culture, identity, values, and life experiences. I strive to provide culturally responsive care by listening without judgment, recognizing the impact that culture and lived experiences can have on mental health, and tailoring treatment recommendations to each individual's needs and goals. I value open communication and shared decision-making, creating a space where clients feel respected, understood, and empowered to participate in their care.
Location
Virtual sessions
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Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 95007687