Kristen Sciarra
Welcome to My Practice! Hi there, and welcome! I’m Kristen Sciarra, a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). Over the past two decades, ranging from emergency and behavioral health nursing to psychiatric care, my mission has always been to create a safe, compassionate space where you feel truly heard and supported. Taking that first step toward better mental health can feel daunting, but you don't have to navigate it alone. Whether you are looking for guidance through a difficult season, support with symptom stability, or a collaborative approach to medication management, I am here to partner with you. Together, we will build an individualized, evidence-supported treatment plan tailored to your unique goals, combining supportive counseling, education, and thoughtful care to help you thrive. Thank you for considering me as your provider. I’m here to offer a steady, supportive space as we move forward together. Kristen
First session
It is completely normal to feel a little nervous before your very first appointment. Please know that our first session isn't a test or a formal interrogation; it is simply a welcoming, low-pressure conversation for us to get to know each other. Here is what you can expect when we meet: At your own pace: We will talk about what has been on your mind, what you're going through, and what kind of support you're hoping to find. There is zero pressure to share everything all at once. A gentle understanding: I'll ask some questions about your background and current symptoms to help me understand your unique story, but our focus is always on your comfort. A collaborative roadmap: Together, we will outline some gentle next steps. If medication management is part of your path, we will walk through your options together so you feel completely informed and at ease. Comfortable care: Because we meet via secure telehealth, you can log in from the comfort of your own couch, wrapped in a blanket with a cup of tea if it helps you feel more relaxed. My primary goal for our first time meeting is simple: to make sure you leave feeling lighter, understood, and confident that you have a genuinely supportive partner in your corner.
Strengths
My practice is rooted in years of clinical experience across high-acuity emergency and behavioral health settings. Having navigated fast-paced, high-stress environments for many years, I bring a calm, steady, and grounded presence to our sessions, especially when life feels overwhelming or unpredictable. I believe everyone deserves a safe, judgment-free space where they can speak openly, feel truly understood, and move at a pace that feels safe and right for them. What sets my practice apart is a balance of comprehensive clinical experience and genuine human connection. As a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I look at the whole picture, combining thoughtful medication management with supportive psychotherapy and clear, accessible education. I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we partner closely to build a personalized treatment plan where your voice is always at the center, ensuring your care adapts to your unique needs and goals.
Ideal clients
Entering psychiatric care is a powerful investment in yourself. I provide compassionate, comprehensive psychiatric care for individuals across the lifespan, including pediatrics, teens, young adults, adults, and geriatrics. Whether navigating the unique developmental and academic stressors of childhood and adolescence, the major transitions of early adulthood, or the life changes and health shifts that come with later years, I tailor my approach to fit your specific life stage. You may be a great fit for my practice if you: Value Collaborative Care: You are looking for a provider who listens closely, respects your lived experience, and works with you, rather than just for you, to build a treatment plan tailored to your goals. Are Open to Comprehensive Support: Whether your care involves psychotropic medication management, evidence-based coping strategies, supportive counseling, or a combination of approaches, you are ready to actively engage in your healing journey. Desire Clarity and Education: You appreciate understanding the "why" behind your diagnosis and treatment options so you can feel informed and confident every step of the way. Seek Consistent, Reliable Support: Whether connecting virtually through our secure telehealth sessions, you value a structured, safe space to work through challenges and build long-term emotional stability. My goal is to meet you where you are, help you make sense of what you're experiencing, and provide the medical and emotional tools you need to regain your balance and thrive.
Origin story
My path to psychiatric care grew directly out of my years working as an emergency department nurse, particularly on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Witnessing firsthand the critical shortage of mental health providers and the heavy barriers patients faced in getting timely, compassionate support deeply impacted me. I saw a profound need for more accessible, high-quality care. That realization inspired me to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and my ongoing mission is to help bridge that gap and strengthen mental health support for communities throughout Florida.
Ongoing work together
Healing isn’t about rushing to a finish line; it’s about taking things one steady, supported step at a time. Once we’ve completed our initial check-in and set up a plan, our ongoing sessions become a comfortable, judgment-free space to catch your breath, reflect, and see how you’re feeling. Depending on what you or your child needs, our regular visits usually involve: Gentle Adjustments: If medication management is part of your care, we will always move at a comfortable pace. We’ll talk openly about how you're feeling, watch out for any side effects, and make gentle tweaks to ensure you feel your best with the lowest effective dose. Practical Tools for Everyday Life: We’ll work together on simple, realistic coping strategies that fit into your actual day, helping you navigate stress, big emotions, or difficult transitions without feeling overwhelmed. A Connected Team: With your permission, I love staying in close touch with your therapists, primary care doctors, or pediatricians so everyone is working together to support you. How You Will Know Things Are Getting Better Progress doesn't always look like a straight line, and some days will still be harder than others. But over time, you will start to notice soft, meaningful shifts in your everyday life. You’ll know we’re on the right track when: You Have More "Breathing Room": Situations or triggers that used to send your mind racing begin to feel a little lighter, giving you moments of genuine calm. Life Feels More Manageable: You notice you're sleeping a bit more restfully, your energy feels steadier, and you're able to focus on the things that matter to you. You're Speaking Kindly to Yourself: On tough days, you find yourself offering grace and patience instead of harsh judgment, recognizing just how hard you're trying. You Feel Like "You" Again: Loved ones, teachers, or coworkers might gently mention that you seem more present, relaxed, or sparkier, like your true self is shining through. No matter where you are starting from, you never have to walk this path alone. I am here to celebrate your victories, help you weather the bumps, and walk beside you every single step of the way.
Medication approach
As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, psychopharmacology and medication management are quite literally my daily professional focus. Because medication is my core clinical specialty, I approach it with deep expertise, careful precision, and a high level of diligence. At the same time, I believe that expert prescribing should never feel cold, rushed, or intimidating. When we work together on medication, you can expect: Expertise Backed by Experience: Drawing on my background across outpatient telepsychiatry, behavioral health, and emergency settings, I bring a thorough, safety-first understanding of how psychotropic medications work and how to tailor them safely to your unique biology. A Truly Collaborative Process: While I bring the clinical knowledge, you bring the lived experience of how your body and mind feel. We will always review your options together, discuss the "why" behind a recommendation, and weigh the pros and cons so you feel completely informed and comfortable. Thoughtful, Individualized Titration: My philosophy is to start low and go slow when appropriate, closely monitoring your response and side effects over follow-up visits to find the lowest effective dose that brings you true relief and stability. Comprehensive Care: Medication is a powerful medical tool for biological stability, and my goal is to use my specialized expertise to quiet the noise—giving you the steady foundation you need to feel like yourself again.
Treatment methods
Supportive
In our work together, I believe that true healing involves much more than just managing prescriptions. While medication can be a valuable tool for biological stability, the heart of our time together is rooted in supportive therapy and compassionate counseling. When you meet with me, you aren't just getting a clinical provider, you are gaining a dedicated, empathetic partner. Here is how I integrate supportive care into our sessions: A Safe Space to Be Heard: Whether you are navigating a difficult season, a major life transition, or everyday stress, you always have a warm, judgment-free space to catch your breath and share what's on your mind. Blending Care Seamlessly: I provide individualized treatment planning, brief psychotherapy, and supportive counseling during our follow-up visits to ensure your care addresses both your emotional and medical needs. Practical, Everyday Tools: We focus on the "here and now," working together on gentle, practical coping strategies and clear education that fit comfortably into your actual daily life. A Connected Team: With your permission, I love coordinating closely with your therapists and primary care providers to ensure everyone is working together seamlessly to support you.
Strength-Based
You are so much more than a diagnosis, a list of symptoms, or the challenges you are currently facing. That is why my practice is deeply rooted in a strength-based approach. Instead of focusing solely on what feels broken or difficult, we will focus on what is already working well—your resilience, your past successes, your core values, and your unique personal strengths. Here is what that looks like in our work together: Honoring Your Story: We will certainly acknowledge the hard things you’ve been through, but we will also honor the grit, courage, and resourcefulness it took for you to survive them and show up today. Partnering with Your Expertise: You are the absolute expert on your own life (or your child's life). We work together to leverage your natural abilities and existing coping skills to build a treatment plan that feels authentic and doable for you. Celebrating Small Wins: Growth isn't a straight line. We will take time to notice and celebrate every step forward—no matter how small—building your confidence and momentum along the way. My goal is to help you shift the narrative from feeling stuck to recognizing your own inner power, giving you the medical and emotional tools you need to not just manage symptoms, but truly thrive.
Solution-Focused Brief Treatment
While it is deeply important to understand your story and where you've been, I also believe in keeping our eyes forward—focusing on practical steps, small wins, and where you want to go next. My solution-focused approach means we won’t spend our time getting bogged down endlessly analyzing problems. Instead, we will work together as a team to: Break Things Down: Big, overwhelming challenges can feel paralyzing. We’ll take those heavy feelings and break them down into small, manageable, and realistic steps that you can actually tackle between sessions. Build on What Works: We will look closely at the tools, strengths, and moments of resilience you already possess—amplifying the successes you’ve already achieved, even on hard days. Keep Your Goals Front and Center: We will keep your personal vision of health and happiness at the heart of our work, focusing on actionable solutions that help you move forward at a pace that feels right for you. My goal is for you to leave every session feeling a little clearer, a little lighter, and equipped with practical tools you can put into practice right away.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
True healing is about more than just managing symptoms on paper—it’s about helping you reconnect with yourself. I weave mindfulness-based practices into our work to give you gentle, effective anchors when life feels chaotic or overwhelming. Mindfulness doesn't mean you have to sit cross-legged in silence or completely clear your mind. Instead, it’s a practical, compassionate way to relate to your thoughts and emotions differently. Here is what that looks like in our sessions: Grounding in the Present: When racing thoughts about the future or heavy reflections on the past take over, we use simple grounding techniques to help you step back and return safely to the present moment. Cultivating Self-Compassion: We practice observing your thoughts and feelings with curiosity and kindness rather than harsh self-judgment, helping you build a softer, more supportive inner voice. Real-World Tools: I will share accessible breathing exercises, somatic check-ins, and calming strategies that you can use anywhere—whether you're navigating a high-stress workday, school pressures, or a sudden wave of anxiety. My goal is to help you quiet the internal noise, build emotional resilience, and discover a steady sense of calm that you can carry with you long after our session ends.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
At the heart of my practice is a deeply human, person-centered philosophy. I believe that you are the absolute expert on your own life, experiences, and feelings. My role isn't to dictate what you should do, but to walk alongside you as a trusted partner in a warm, collaborative space where you are fully accepted, valued, and heard. Here is what this means for our time together: Unconditional Acceptance: You are welcome here exactly as you are—on your best days and your hardest days. There is zero judgment, only a haven where you can let your guard down, catch your breath, and speak your truth freely. True Collaboration: We make decisions together as a team. Your goals, your comfort level, and your voice guide every step of our treatment plan—whether we are discussing supportive counseling, medication management, or everyday coping tools. Honoring Your Unique Story: We look at your mental health through the lens of your individual lived experience, recognizing that healing is never one-size-fits-all and must always respect who you are as a person. My goal is to cultivate a genuine, authentic connection where you feel truly empowered to rediscover your inner resilience and move forward at a pace that feels right for you.
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- FloridaLicense APRN11023122