Jeffrey Lucero, PMHNP-BC
Jeffrey Lucero 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 Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Darya provides psychotherapy and medication management for children, adolescents, and adults with a variety of stress-related conditions. As a therapist and prescriber, she believes that each individual enters treatment with a unique set of circumstances and that it is essential to treat the person rather than focusing on symptoms. 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.
Darya completed a fellowship in psychoanalytic psychotherapy at Massachusetts Institute of Psychoanalysis, is fully trained to practice Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Psychotherapy (EMDR), has completed Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 1, and also has received training in Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) and Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP). These therapies are often used to treat attachment trauma, and she sometimes incorporates them into the treatments of people she sees for therapy or medication management.
Darya is primarily accepting patients for medication management at this time and offers genomic testing. This testing helps specify which medications will be most effective in treating an individual’s mental health condition.
Margaret Hughes, PMHNP-BC, CPNP
Margaret is a dual-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP). After completing a Master’s in Nursing (pediatrics) from Yale University, she provided medical care to children and adolescents at Mattapan Community Health Center and subsequently to college students at Northeastern University Health Center. Her passion for mental health has led her to obtain an additional degree from Northeastern University as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
Margaret provides medication management and psychotherapy for adults, adolescents, and children (she is currently accepting medication management patients ONLY at this time). Patients who are seeking medication management should already have a therapist. Margaret’s availability is Mondays-Thursdays and all appointment are virtual.
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 and has been described as exceptionally warm, patient and empathic. While she has studied various therapies, patients find her caring, practical and easy to relate to. She recently has completed trainings for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She is now offering GeneSight genetic testing.
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. Her training in CBT, AEDP, ISTDP and GPM blended with her clinical experience, intuition, and attention to individual needs, allow her to provide personalized care. She treats a range of conditions including ADHD, stress related and mood related disorders. Gretchen currently has openings for medication management for those who are currently receiving therapy.
Tara Conklin, PMHNP-BC
Tara is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner providing psychotherapy and medication management for children, adolescents, and adults. She seeks to truly understand each of her patients and to support deep exploration of strengths and limitations. She uses a relational approach to offer perspective and work collaboratively with her patients to navigate the path forward in achieving meaningful solutions. Tara works together with her patients to enhance their life and support their fullest potential.
Tara is always learning and she currently has training in CBT, DBT, AEDP, ISTDP, and IFS. In addition to her training, she practices social justice-informed therapy, as she recognizes and honors that her patients exist as part of their societal and cultural contexts. As such, she is particularly passionate about working with members of marginalized communities. Her patients have described her as approachable, warm, and a good listener.
Hanna Yapikhina, PMHNP-BC, AGNP-BC
Hanna is a dual-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Adult and Geriatric Nurse Practitioner.
Hanna understands how difficult it can be to take the next step in getting help. 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.
Currently she is accepting new patients for therapy and medication management and happy to discuss how she can help you and your family to navigate through difficult times.
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). Additionally, she holds a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine from Boston University and started her career as a therapist before entering the field of nursing.
Alex 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. She specializes in anxiety, depression, ADHD, self-esteem issues, building confidence, major life changes, work related stress, relationships, imposter syndrome, and family systems.
Alex strives to make people feel heard, understood, and safe when it comes to medication management and psychotherapy. She works with teenagers and adults using a variety of therapeutic modalities including DBT, CBT, person centered, and mindfulness. Deciding to seek mental health care and medication takes courage, commitment, and a passion to make long lasting change. Alex feels honored to work with her clients as they blaze their path towards recovery.
Angelique Empleo-Sandberg, PMHNP-BC
Angelique is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner providing person-centered treatment across the lifespan. She received her Master of Science in Nursing from Northeastern University and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from McGill University.
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. Guided by psychodynamic and mentalization-based treatment modalities, she endeavors to provide a safe space for individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. She strives for holistic assessments in each psychotherapy and medication management session.
Apart from psychiatry, Angelique has a background in neuroscience and emergency medicine, and she holds certifications for ACLS, BLS, and TNCC.
Melissa Kaeli, PMHNP-BC
Melissa has a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Northeastern University and is licensed as a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). She joins the practice with over 10 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. She approaches mental health through a comprehensive lens that considers the interconnectedness of mind and body.
Currently she is accepting new patients for therapy and medication management for older children, adolescents and adults and looks forward to discovering how best to help guide each individual client on their healing journey, fostering empowerment and mental well-being along the way.
Kate Roddy, PMHNP-BC
As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC), Kate provides patient-centered care to individuals of all ages. Kate’s approach to treatment is rooted in respect and collaboration. She offers a safe and welcoming environment for individuals to explore and understand their unique lived experiences with therapeutic support.
Prior to earning her Master’s in Nursing from Northeastern University, Kate spent several years working at McLean Hospital, where she specialized in caring for individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. In addition to her clinical experience, Kate joins Thoughtful Psychiatry with a background in research garnered from her work in the Labs of Cognitive Neuroscience at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Kate has a broad range of clinical expertise, including but not limited to mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, ADHD, and child/adolescent psychiatry. Currently, Kate is accepting new clients, including children, adolescents, and adults, for medication management and comprehensive therapy services.
Rachel Clapp, PMHNP-BC
Rachel is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Northeastern University. She joins the practice after working as a charge nurse on an inpatient psychiatric unit at McLean Hospital since 2018.
Rachel is passionate about providing psychotherapy and medication management to individuals with histories of complex trauma, anxiety, depression, and ADHD. She prioritizes a holistic, humanistic approach and employs various therapeutic modalities, including mindfulness practices, psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and person-centered therapy. Rachel understands that compassion, collaboration, and acceptance are integral to healing and personal empowerment. She is committed to creating a therapeutic environment where patients can find their own path toward self-awareness and healing.
Rachel is currently accepting young adults, midlife, and older adults for psychotherapy and medication management.
Krystina Smith-Claros, PMHNP-BC
Krystina Smith-Claros is a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with a Master of Science in Nursing from Regis College. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Boston College and worked for over 13 years as a registered nurse (RN) in various settings, including inpatient psychiatry and trauma/SICU environments. This extensive experience has endowed Krystina with knowledge in human anatomy and physiology, as well as the ability to think critically while working efficiently.
Krystina has a particular interest in mood, personality, and traumatic disorders. She 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. She is looking forward to applying her skills earned in various nursing settings to the environment of psychiatry for the betterment of patients’ minds and lives.
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 Worth 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.
Emma has been in private practice since 2017. Prior to that, she earned her MSW at Simmons School of Social Work, completed her social work training at Cambridge Health Alliance, and worked at the Guidance Center in Cambridge. Her experience includes the postgraduate fellowship with Massachusetts Institute for Psychoanalysis, training at the Institute for Existential-Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion.
As a social worker, Emma approaches the therapy relationship as collaborative and empowering for the client, believing that each individual has innate wisdom necessary for healing and growth. She draws on psychodynamic, relational and experiential approaches, integrating mindfulness, self-compassion, family systems and other modalities. Emma treats many conditions including anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, life transitions, and grief. She looks forward to a fruitful interdisciplinary collaboration between nursing and social work.
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. She uses a person-centered therapeutic approach and employs Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and other therapies as appropriate.
Brianna received her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies Spanish Language and Literature from Wellesley College, and her graduate degree in Professional Counseling from Lesley University. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, playing with her dog, traveling, geocaching, and hiking.