Victoria Ajayi
Hello, my name is Victoria. I am a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Do you feel like you are trying to juggle a million different things at once? Do you struggle to balance your relationships, career, and health? Is it hard to treat yourself well? I provide anxiety management and burnout prevention for high performers. Together, we can figure out what is not working and restore equilibrium to your life. We will take a holistic approach, caring for your mind's, body's, and spirit's requirements. For you to have a better connection with yourself, I also include cognitive behavioral therapy and medication management. I am here to help if you have trouble with stress, problems with others, or cycles of worry and depression. While seeking counseling might be frightening, you are making the correct decision. You deserve a place where you can recover and develop. I will approach you with compassion and evidence-based strategies throughout our sessions so you may get over the shackles and routines holding you back. Let us collaborate on the best care for you. I provide suboxone, Vivitrol injections, sublocade injections, and naloxone to individuals struggling with opioid use and alcohol use disorders
First session
Your first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and begin building a partnership focused on your mental health and well-being. We’ll start with a relaxed, respectful conversation where I’ll explain my role and answer any questions you may have. You’re welcome to share as much or as little as you’re comfortable with—this is your space. During the visit, we’ll talk about what brought you in, how you’ve been feeling, and any past experiences with your mental and physical health. I’ll also ask about things like sleep, stress, support systems, and daily life to help me understand the full picture. By the end of the session, I’ll share my initial thoughts and recommendations. If medication or other treatments are appropriate, we’ll talk through your options together. I’ll always make sure you feel informed, involved, and supported in making decisions. Together, we’ll set initial goals and plan your next steps—whether that’s a follow-up in a few weeks or additional support. My goal is for you to leave the session feeling seen, heard, and encouraged about your path forward.
Strengths
What I Offer as Your Healthcare Provider Compassionate Listening I prioritize truly listening to your concerns and feelings. You can expect a safe, open space where you are heard, understood, and respected—without judgment. Clear Communication I believe in explaining your health in a way that’s easy to understand. Together, we’ll make sure you’re informed about your care and feel confident in your treatment options. Patient-Centered Approach Your goals, preferences, and experiences are at the heart of your care. I work with you to create a treatment plan that fits your unique needs. Trustworthiness Trust is the foundation of our relationship. I’m committed to being honest, consistent, and dependable, so you can feel secure in your care. Cultural Sensitivity and Inclusivity I respect and embrace the diversity of all my patients. I take the time to understand your background, values, and beliefs to provide the most supportive and personalized care. Clinical Expertise I bring a deep knowledge of the latest evidence-based practices and treatments to provide you with high-quality care tailored to your specific needs. Holistic View of Health I understand that health isn’t just physical—it’s emotional, social, and mental too. I take a whole-person approach to help you thrive in every aspect of life. Nonjudgmental Attitude You can talk openly about anything, knowing that I will never judge or dismiss your concerns. I’m here to support you, no matter your circumstances. Supportive and Encouraging I’m here to cheer you on every step of the way. Even during setbacks, I’ll help you stay motivated and confident in your healing journey. Availability and Responsiveness Your well-being is a priority, so I’m committed to being there when you need support. Whether it’s through follow-ups, quick responses to questions, or adjusting your care plan, you’ll always feel taken care of.
Ideal clients
I specialize in helping clients with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. In our sessions, we will explore your unique challenges and develop a tailored treatment plan that may include coping strategies and medication management. Many clients experience significant symptom relief and improved emotional well-being within the first few weeks. Together, we will work towards positive changes.
Treatment methods
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing in my practice. With Motivational Interviewing, we'll work together to explore your feelings and goals, helping you find the motivation to make positive changes. In Interpersonal Therapy, we'll focus on improving your relationships and communication skills, addressing any challenges you face in connecting with others.
Psychoeducation
How I Use Psychoeducation to Manage Mental Health Disorders 1. Illness Education I provide clear, personalized information about the patient’s diagnosis—what it is, common symptoms, causes, and the typical course of the illness. For example: Anxiety: Explaining the body’s fight-or-flight response and how it becomes dysregulated. Depression: Clarifying that it’s more than sadness, often involving fatigue, anhedonia, and cognitive changes. Bipolar Disorder: Educating on the difference between manic, hypomanic, depressive, and mixed episodes, and how sleep, stress, and medication adherence affect mood cycling. 2. Medication Education I discuss: The purpose of prescribed medications. Expected benefits and realistic timelines (e.g., SSRIs may take 4–6 weeks). Possible side effects and how to manage them. The importance of adherence and not stopping medication abruptly. This helps reduce fear or misunderstanding, which can improve compliance and reduce relapse. 3. Early Warning Signs and Relapse Prevention I work with patients to: Identify their personal early warning signs (e.g., sleep disturbance, irritability, loss of interest). Develop action plans for addressing symptoms early—like scheduling a check-in, adjusting medications, or reducing stressors. 4. Coping Strategies and Self-Care Although I don't deliver formal psychotherapy, I teach practical coping strategies such as: Sleep hygiene Basic relaxation techniques (e.g., deep breathing, grounding) Structured daily routines The role of physical activity and nutrition in mood stabilization 5. Stigma Reduction and Normalization I address misconceptions and cultural beliefs that may lead to shame or secrecy. By normalizing mental health as part of overall health, patients are often more willing to engage in care. 6. Family or Support System Involvement With consent, I may involve family members to educate them about the disorder, provide support strategies, and reduce caregiver burden. This also reinforces the patient’s support network.
Somatic
As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, I incorporate somatic-based strategies into my treatment approach to support patients with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and somatic symptom presentations. Many of the individuals I work with experience significant physical manifestations of emotional distress—such as muscle tension, chest tightness, gastrointestinal discomfort, and fatigue. How I Integrate Somatic Strategies Into Practice 1. Recognizing Physical Manifestations of Emotional Distress I routinely assess for physical symptoms that may be linked to underlying mood or anxiety disorders. This includes asking about sleep, appetite, pain, digestion, and patterns of muscle tension. Identifying these connections helps guide treatment planning, particularly for patients who may not initially describe emotional symptoms. 2. Recommending Basic Somatic Regulation Techniques As part of holistic care, I introduce simple, practical strategies that help patients regulate their physiological responses. These include: Diaphragmatic (deep belly) breathing to reduce sympathetic nervous system arousal. Progressive muscle relaxation to relieve chronic tension and promote calm. Grounding techniques using sensory awareness to help manage acute anxiety or dissociation. These strategies can be used alongside pharmacologic treatment and often complement medication effects by improving emotional and physical self-regulation. 3. Encouraging Consistent Daily Use I emphasize the importance of daily practice with these techniques to help patients build resilience and reduce baseline stress levels. When appropriate, I may recommend digital tools, mindfulness apps, or written guides to support consistency. 4. Monitoring Outcomes and Adjusting Care During follow-up visits, I assess how patients respond to these techniques, including any changes in physical symptoms, sleep, or mood regulation. These observations inform treatment adjustments, whether through medication titration or the addition of other supportive interventions.