"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over it became a butterfly." -Chuang Tzu Hi! My name is Dr. Jaclyn Bellassai, DNP. I am a nurse practitioner board-certified in psychiatry and in family health. I have a genuine love for people, and I consider myself a sensitive and compassionate person. I find working in my field a privilege, and I am in awe every day of how people choose to confide in me and trust in me to help them. I never take this for granted. I always try to see my patients through their eyes and take their history, culture, and belief systems into consideration when formulating a treatment plan. I get to know and truly understand my patients to ensure they receive patient-centered care. I am a well-rounded clinician. I have cared for acutely ill patients and those with less severe chronic mental illnesses affecting various ages and populations. My experience in the acute setting has prepared me to deal with very sick and complex cases ranging from schizoaffective disorder to significant depression. My experience working in a psychiatric hospital has taught me how to treat a wide range of mental health illnesses; part of my duties included attending and testifying in Baker Act court, working with interdisciplinary teams to formulate treatment, and preparing a discharge plan. I am also working in substance abuse and caring for those who have an addiction. I have experience working in skilled nursing facilities, providing psychiatric care to some of the most vulnerable, specifically the older population. Regarding my education, I have attended recognized state schools, which are rated highly for their nursing curriculum. I attended Florida State University (FSU) for psychiatry and obtained another certification from FSU specializing in Veterans Mental Health. I have achieved a Doctorate in nursing practice and a Master's Degree from the University of South Florida (USF), where I specialized in family health. Being a family health nurse practitioner is essential because I will be more likely to recognize specific diseases and conditions that may present as mental illness but possibly related to another health condition. Last, I am a United States Marine Corps veteran, which gives me an advantage in understanding the veteran population. Being a veteran has also instilled in me integrity and leadership. I hope you choose me to be your provider! You will be ensured compassionate care!

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

Our first session will be about getting to know one another, setting expectations, coming up with short and long-term goals, and customizing a treatment plan that is realistic and patient-centered.

What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?

The treatment methods I like to use are based on evidence-based practice, which are medication therapy, psychology/counseling (referrals to therapist), and encouraging other modalities such as complementary alternative therapies (CAM) meditation, yoga, etc.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

My biggest strength is that I have experience dealing with the acutely ill and those dealing with severe mental illness in a crisis, so I am comfortable with the hard stuff. I am also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and have a special certification in Veteran's Mental Health, so I understand and uniquely know what veterans face after leaving the military and during their time of service.

About Dr. Jaclyn Bellassai, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC