PMHNP, 38 years of experience
Hi there, I'm Avis, a dual board-certified Nurse Practitioner in Family Practice (FNP-BC) and Psychiatric–Mental Health (PMHNP-C) with over 38 years of experience, and an authentic passion for building strong, therapeutic relationships with those I serve. I am the founder of Balance Psychiatry and Mental Health, a Professional Nursing Corporation, where I take a holistic, comprehensive, bio-psycho-social approach to psychiatric evaluation and treatment — focusing on you as a whole person, not just your symptoms or diagnosis. I specialize in working with women and young women who need help with Women's Issues, Medication Management, Perinatal Mood Disorders, Abortion Grief, Prolonged Grief, Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorders, Substance Use Disorders, Trauma/PTSD, Sexual Abuse, Sex/Human Trafficking, Intimate Partner Violence and Domestic Violence. I offer care for men and young men who need help with Men's Issues, Medication Management, Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Stress and Coping, Substance Use and Risk-Taking, Relationship and Intimacy Challenges, Identity and Role-Related Issues, and Trauma and Shame.
At Balance Psychiatry and Mental Health, a Professional Nursing Corporation, you can expect a welcoming and judgment-free space where we will explore what has brought you to care and what you hope to achieve. Together, we will review your medical, psychiatric, social, and family histories, as well as your current symptoms, challenges, and goals. I ensure that you will feel comfortable and supported throughout the process. We will begin identifying meaningful patterns, personal strengths, and areas for growth, and establish a direction for your care moving forward. My goal is for you to leave the first session feeling heard, understood, and hopeful about your path toward healing, balance, and emotional well-being.
I welcome all cultures and minorities, all races and religions, POC and the LGBTQIA+ communities. I am down-to-earth, empathic, and I especially enjoy bringing my education, persona, and life/career experiences to the patients I serve. My practice is both an Art and a Science and that means I will combine my wisdom, creativity, compassion, and healing spirit with the most up to date Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) in psychiatry, psychopharmacology and psychotherapeutic modalities to partner with you to meet your personal and unique psychiatric and mental health goals.
I am best positioned to serve high-functioning and motivated women and men who feel overwhelmed by their thoughts, emotions, and/or behaviors, and those carrying the lasting effects of trauma or difficult relationships. Many of the individuals I work with are discovering that true balance begins when they nurture their own well-being with the same dedication they give to their families, relationships, and careers. They are ready to heal, establish healthy boundaries, and reconnect with their voice, purpose, and authentic self in a space that is both safe and supportive. At Balance Psychiatry and Mental Health, a Professional Nursing Corporation, my goal is to provide compassionate, holistic care that empowers lasting growth, resilience, and genuine well-being.
I use CBT to guide my patients to find ways to change their current thought patterns, feelings and behaviors that are negatively impacting their life. I weave CBT in all visits with my patients to foster resilience and positive change in their life.
I use concepts from Existential Therapy to guide my patients to grow in self awareness, create meaning and purpose in their life, and understand that suffering itself has meaning from which we can learn.
I love using Humanistic Theory principles with my patients because it offers me a holistic approach to our therapeutic relationship. Using a Humanistic Theory lens allows me to focuses on my patient's human potential , self-discovery, creativity, freedom, strengths, spirituality, values, personal responsibility, freedom of choice, and self-mastery.
I believe that when we focus on the problem, the problem increases, and when we focus on the solution, the solution increases. Solution Focused Brief Therapy allows us to look at your current life circumstances and your future hopes. We focus on what is changeable and possible in your life. Solution Focused Brief Therapy principles include: a. change is both constant and certain, b. patients must want to change, c. patients are the experts and can outline their goals, and d. patients have their own inner resources and strengths to solve and overcome their problems.
1 rating with written reviews
June 2, 2025
I met with Avis for the first time today. She was very warm and welcoming right off the bat but also straight forward and let me know she’s looking for a solution for me long term. I’m really looking forward to spending more time with her and working through my issues to find my way back to a more balanced me.