MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT METHODS

As a Board Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and PhD in Biobehavioral Science, Kristiana Avery specializes in evidence-based psychiatric medical treatments, including pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions in children, adolescents and adults. Her treatment philosophy centers around a collaborative approach towards achieving a better quality of life. She aims to minimize the use of medication and use her prescriptive authority in a realistic and practical way. 

Pharmacological/Medical Treatments

  • Psychiatric Evaluation:

    • Full evaluation includes ruling out medical disorders and providing (if appropriate) DSM diagnoses.

    • Holistic approach

  • Diagnostic Testing:

  • This can include referrals for imaging and laboratory data.

    • Includes applicable screening tools.

  • Genetic Testing:

    • Evaluation of genetic markers that affect neurotransmitters.

    • Aids in evaluating the biological factors causing symptoms

    • Looks at your DNA to tell us which medications would be appropriately metabolized by your body.

  • Medication Management:

    • Full prescriptive authority specializing in psychotropic medications.

  • Laboratory Analysis and Interpretation:

    • Evaluation and interpretation of appropriate laboratory tests.

  • Inflammatory Food Testing

    • IgG, IgE, IgA laboratory results

    • Celiac testing

Holistic Treatments

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:
    Identify any thinking biases and use thought records to help correct disruptive thoughts and behavior. Usually used when treating mood disorders and anxiety.

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy:
    Examine dialects in our life that cause us discomfort. Uses mindfulness, distress tolerance and radical acceptance to help manage mood disorders, dysfunctional behaviors and maladaptive coping skills.

  • Existential Therapy:
    Assist client in examining what's important in life. Often used in the midst of major life events.

  • Interpersonal Social Rhythms Therapy:
    Examines daily routines to help correct mood disorders, anxiety and insomnia.

  • Family Relational Assessment and Didactic Therapy:
    Evaluation of the interactions and communications between parent/child. Didactic therapy treats the family unit as a whole to improve family dynamics as well as the individual.

  • Trauma Therapy:
    Explores past traumas in those with symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a safe environment with client and only when client is ready. Provide skills to manage and prevent flashbacks and dissociation.

  • Sleep Hygiene:
    Used to treat various kinds of insomnia without medications. Examines circadian rhythms and sleep habits/patterns.

  • Solution-Focused Therapy:
    This is a brief intervention to solve specific problems. Examines “Why Now” and “What Works”.

  • Mindfulness:
    Practice used to help train the brain, giving us better control over our thoughts. Aides in helping to turn off ruminating thoughts. Used for a variety of different issues including depression, Bipolar, anxiety, and insomnia.

  • Guided Meditation:
    Used to relax and interrupt disturbing thoughts. Allows us to have better control over our own thoughts and aids in relaxation and sleep.

  • Herbal Treatments:
    Provide consultation and recommendations on herbal treatments used for various psychiatric conditions.

 


CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS BY REFERRAL ONLY