Open Mind Psychiatric Care

I am Marissa, owner of Open Mind, and I am a "Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner" which basically means I prescribe medications for mental health. I have Masters degrees in Psychology and in Nursing. I earned my APRN with a speciality in Psychiatry/Mental Health in 2014. I love working with people from all walks of life and all ages, although I currently only treat adults 18 and older. I have work experience across settings: acute care, inpatient psychiatry, outpatient clinic, and, now, private practice telepsychiatry. I offer 1-hour long initial intake appointments as well as half- hour follow up sessions on a monthly (or quarterly) basis. My office is virtual so all you need is the link at our scheduled time. My Philosophy: Medications do not stop the ocean that is your life from ebbing and flowing; they are not meant to change who you are or what you believe. Medications are meant to help calm your waves during storms or provide a more flexible system when you feel motionless. Although I like the metaphor, medications are not philosophies. They are drugs aimed to target direct symptoms. They impact you and your loved ones in real ways. And we can monitor their effects on your body, mood, and behavior. I believe in a balance between medication use and complimentary, non-pharmacological treatments. When lifestyle and behavioral changes are more appropriate than chemical intervention I am honest about that. When alternate modes of psychotherapy are indicated beyond my scope, I will assist in referring you to where you are best served. What is your medication philosophy? Only you know how you feel, I am here to listen.