Hi there! I'm Sarah, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). I come from a background in both science and healthcare – I earned a B.S. in Biopsychology from UC Santa Barbara and a Master's in Nursing from Cal State LA. I've been working in the field for 5 years now. My approach is all about finding the right fit for you. We can explore medication management alongside therapy techniques to help you strengthen your focus and organization (executive function), develop self-compassion, and build tools to manage emotions effectively.
The focus for our initial appointment will be on identifying your mental health concerns and creating a personalized treatment plan. This involves gathering information about your mental health history, current symptoms, lifestyle habits, and overall functioning using a structured interview and diagnostic measures.
My goal is to create a safe and supportive space where clients can feel comfortable asking questions and communicating openly. I'm a firm believer in normalizing mental health treatment and empowering individuals through psychoeducation. As a native Spanish speaker, I also value providing culturally competent care.
Most of my experience has been in working with young adults, college and graduate students, working professionals, women, and the Latinx community. My areas of specialty include ADHD, anxiety, premenstrual dysphoria, depression, and mood disorders. I am a native-Spanish speaker and ADHD-certified clinical services provider.
I combine medication management with various psychotherapeutic techniques. In addition to finding the right medication balance, common goals for patients include identifying negative core beliefs, improving emotional self-regulation, and practicing self-compassion.