How we provide care is just as important as what we do. While a precise diagnosis can be useful, our patients find meaning in being precisely understood.
Thoughtful Psychiatry aims to provide psychiatric care that is inquisitive, empathic, collaborative, and patient-centered. We treat patients as individuals rather than focusing only on diagnosis. We view the relationship between clinician and patient as central to treatment.
Our initial goal is to create a supportive environment where causes of symptoms can be explored and understood. To ensure this we provide comprehensive evaluations and encourage patient involvement in all aspects of their care. Prescribers are also trained in various psychotherapies and incorporate therapy into all visits.
We adhere to the principle that the art of psychiatry is as important as the science. How we provide care is as important as what we do. While a precise diagnosis can be useful, our patients find meaning in being precisely understood.
Jeffrey Lucero, PMHNP-BC
Jeffrey is the founder and owner of Thoughtful Psychiatry. He is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience providing mental health care. He has extensive experience treating patients with complex presentations including those with trauma, complex trauma, and personality disorders.
Darya Pokoevaya, PMHNP-BC
As a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Darya provides psychotherapy and medication management for children, adolescents, and adults with a variety of stress-related conditions. While she is able to treat patients with a variety of mental health conditions, she has a great deal of experience in treating anxiety and trauma-related conditions.
Margaret Hughes, PMHNP-BC, CPNP
Margaret is a dual-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP). Margaret’s approach is to create a partnership with her patients in order to develop an individualized treatment plan. She has an interest in working with adolescents and young adults.
Gretchen Woodward, PMHNP-BC
Gretchen is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner providing compassionate and comprehensive psychotherapy and medication management for adolescents and adults. She treats a range of conditions including ADHD, stress related and mood related disorders.
Hanna Yapikhina, PMHNP-BC, AGNP-BC
Hanna is a dual-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and Adult and Geriatric Nurse Practitioner (AGNP). She is committed, humbled, and extremely passionate in what she considers the privilege to be able to serve those with multiple medical comorbidities and mental health struggles.
Alexandra Himel, PMHNP-BC
Alex has a Doctorate in Psychiatric Nursing Practice (DNP) from Boston College and is licensed as a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). She blends her background in mental health counseling and psychiatry to provide an experience that is welcoming, therapeutic, and backed by evidence-based research. She works to create a safe space for clients to explore medication, therapy, and to feel empowered in taking charge of their lives.
Angelique Empleo-Sandberg, PMHNP-BC
Angelique is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner providing person-centered treatment across the lifespan. Angelique believes that mental wellness is multi-faceted, and that each person has a unique story deserving of specialized care. She treats a range of conditions, with a special focus on mood, personality, interpersonal, and trauma-related disorders.
Melissa Kaeli, PMHNP-BC
Melissa is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). She has many years of experience in healthcare in a range of areas including addiction, trauma-informed care, and LGBTQIA+ competent care. Melissa offers a holistic approach to care with a strong emphasis on creating a safe and supportive environment within which healing can begin.
Kate Roddy, PMHNP-BC
Kate is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to providing compassionate, patient-centered care to individuals of all ages. She recognizes that seeking help can often feel daunting and commends you for being here. She strives to create a safe and supportive environment in which treatment is collaborative in nature and tailored to meet each individual’s needs.
Rachel Clapp, PMHNP-BC
Rachel is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC). She is passionate about providing psychotherapy and medication management to individuals with histories of complex trauma, anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Rachel is committed to creating a therapeutic environment where patients can find their own path toward self-awareness and healing.
Krystina Smith-Claros, PMHNP-BC
Krystina Smith-Claros is a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). She has a particular interest in mood, personality, and traumatic disorders. Krystina believes promoting mental health involves a deeper process than simply treating or labeling a diagnosis; it rather includes considering an individual’s particular circumstances, needs, and goals in the therapy office and beyond.
Stephanie Lucero, LICSW
Stephanie practices individual psychotherapy and care for adults of all ages. As a therapist, she practices Psychodynamic therapy, CBT and DBT, but she also incorporates mind-body therapies into her practice including MBSR and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. Stephanie believes in the importance of treating the body as well as the mind. She is also a practicing yoga instructor and has trained as a Pilates instructor and studied Reiki and nutrition.
Emma Worth, LICSW
Emma is a board-certified social worker, psychotherapist and clinical supervisor, bringing to Thoughtful Psychiatry over a decade of experience serving diverse client populations in community, clinic and hospital settings. She approaches the therapy relationship as collaborative and empowering for the client, believing that each individual has innate wisdom necessary for healing and growth. She treats many conditions including anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, life transitions, and grief.
Brianna Knight, LMHC
Brianna has worked in the mental health field for over 10 years, the last seven as a mental health counselor. She is passionate about working with adults with substance use disorders and trauma. Brianna uses a person-centered therapeutic approach and employs Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and other therapies as appropriate.
Jeni Rhodes, MSW Intern
Jeni is a Master of Social Work (MSW) intern specializing in Clinical Mental Health. Fluent in Spanish, she has a diverse professional background that spans clinical mental health, education, and bilingual case management. With a trauma-informed approach and a deep passion for supporting diverse communities, Jeni is dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the field of mental health.