I am a doctoral prepared board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. I specialize in diagnosing and treating depression, mood swings, chronic irritability, anxiety, hallucinations, sleep issues, obsessive compulsive disorders, suicidal thoughts and substance abuse through the use of medications. I want to help you overcome the obstacles that prevent you from achieving your dreams and living your best life. I approach mental healthcare in a team oriented manner with my patients, believing that while I have expert knowledge in psychiatry, you are the expert in you. Through shared decision making we will choose appropriate medications designed to address your specific symptoms. We will identify your goals for wellness and lifestyle habits that augment your medications for a more peaceful state of mind. We will engage in insightful conversations that help guide you to uncover root problems such as unresolved childhood trauma, self- esteem and self confidence issues, and life stressors that may be contributing to your mental un-wellness. It is important for you to know that I believe that medications are only one piece of the puzzle in the journey to achieving optimal mental health. Although medications can be very helpful, they are not a one-stop shop to making all of your troubles go away. I promote lifestyle changes such as exercise, diet modifications, meditation, journaling, sleep hygiene, goal setting and psychotherapy as well. I am here to help you work on you, but in the words of Maya Angelou, "Nothing will work unless you do."

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

During your initial session we will spend time discussing your most pressing mental health issues. I will ask you questions that help me make an accurate diagnosis so that I can start to formulate a treatment plan. If you do not currently have a psychotherapist I will offer you the option of combining medication management with CBT strategies.

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

I enjoy serving working and professional class patients. Through a wide breadth of life experiences I am able to relate to people from different cultures and socio-economic walks of life. I have faced and overcome many emotional tribulations and can identify with the inner turmoil that people are struggling with in today's fast-paced society. I believe I am in a unique position to assist others by validating their feelings and helping them put words to things they feel inside. I have personally witnessed the devastation that substance abuse can have on the family unit and understand the life-long journey to overcome resulting childhood trauma. I am a proponent of self-help and believe in empowering people to be their "best self " through a bio-psycho-social approach to healing.

Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.

I enjoy serving professional and working class patients who have a desire, willingness and ability to work in partnership to improve their mental health outcomes through shared decision making.

About Dr. Ayanna Williams