Deborah Ford, PMHNP

Deborah Bearman, PMHNP, is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner who is dedicated to helping those struggling with mental health concerns to live a more fulfilling life. Deborah received her Master of Science in Nursing with a specialty in psychiatry from SUNY Upstate Medical University. She is trained in psychiatric diagnosis, medication management, and psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral therapies. Over the past 10 years, she has gained valuable experience in a number of settings, including inpatient and outpatient facilities, community mental health clinics, and private practice. Deborah is devoted to addressing adult mental health from a holistic perspective, utilizing a combination of medication management with supportive counseling, which she offers during 30-minute follow up sessions. While she focuses on medication management, she believes most people benefit from therapy as well and has extensive experience in psychodynamic and cognitive behavior therapies. She also believes in providing psychoeducation to patients, families, and caregivers. As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, Deborah understands the value of the therapeutic relationship and the positive impact it can have on daily function. By working with patients to create comprehensive and effective treatment plans, Deborah supports her patients in living healthier and more satisfying lives.

Ashley is an ANCC board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience in Psychiatry. She has worked in inpatient and outpatient settings, crisis centers, and psychiatric emergency rooms. Ashley is deeply committed to working collaboratively with individuals to enhance their well-being, creating a personalized care plan tailored to each person’s unique needs.

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Her approach integrates medication management, supportive psychotherapy, and lifestyle interventions. As a prescriber specializing in psychopharmacology, Ashley provides comprehensive medication management while utilizing a shared decision-making model. She actively involves clients in their treatment planning, discussing various options to determine the most effective path forward.

During the initial session, Ashley prioritizes establishing a comfortable, open environment where clients feel at ease. She will review medical and psychiatric history, discuss treatment goals, and explore different therapeutic options based on individual preferences. Ashley encourages questions throughout the process to ensure a collaborative and supportive treatment experience.

Kenneth Kavanagh is board certified as both a Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and an Adult Nurse Practitioner.  His career has spanned 30 years with the last 17 years devoted exclusively to psychiatry.  He integrates his knowledge of psychiatry and primary care into evidence-based medication management strategies.  He also possesses a good working knowledge of alternative treatments and integrating alternative treatments into more traditional approaches.  When needed to enhance patient care outcomes, he frequently works collaboratively with psychotherapists, primary care providers, and/or medical specialists.  

Kenneth currently focuses on managing depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders, ADHD, somatic disorders, OCD, and bipolar disorders.  Kenneth has significant experience in working with diverse groups, including urban and rural populations across socioeconomic spectrums, professionals and college students on all levels, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals confronting life stage transitions, and people living with chronic medical conditions.  

Kenneth’s psychotherapeutic methods are diverse and evolve to meet collaboratively developed treatment goals.  Kenneth’s interaction style is always empathic and respectful but can range from comforting and supportive to more directive and therapeutically confrontational strategies to maximize treatment goals, often with significant doses of humor throughout the therapeutic relationship.

Gabrielle Delarose is a dually boarded Psychiatric Mental Health and Family nurse practitioner with over ten years of clinical experience. Gabrielle is dedicated to providing culturally competent and evidence-based medication management and psychotherapy to assist individuals in achieving their goals to live their best life. I believe in holistic treatment of individuals, and focus on the individual’s overall well-being, including how they are functioning socially and professionally. In addition to medication and psychotherapy, she is a proponent of incorporating research-supported alternative modalities, including dietary changes, exercise, social interaction, and yoga. She also advocates of forest bathing (“shinrin-yoku”), a practice of spending time in nature that yields both medical and mental health benefits as discovered in research trials from around the world. As a professionally trained cellist, she also frequently incorporates art and music into appointments and treatment plans with patients. Her goal for all her patients is to improve all facets of a person’s life with treatment. Gabrielle is an LGBTQ+ affirming provider and has extensive experience working with diverse populations.

New patients should know that the initial appointment will consist of obtaining their social history in addition to their medical history. This is an important part of establishing a therapeutic relationship in addition to obtaining health information to use in formulating treatment plans. A person’s identity and life experiences are a significant influence on a person’s health and well-being, and Gabrielle believes in discussing these experiences in order to best understand a patient’s background and incorporate that into their care. Patients are encouraged to write down any questions they may have prior to the appointment, as well as any significant points they want to discuss. This is encouraged because, as patients, we may forget to address these points without a prompt from the provider. Gabrielle also encourages patients to actively participate in their care and firmly believes in a patient’s right to autonomy and agency. This patient-centered approach empowers patients to help guide treatment plans that best fit the patient’s needs and abilities at any given time. Patients are also encouraged to discuss any concerns about medications or treatment, particularly if there are concerns about side effects.

Gabrielle works collaboratively with patients to determine appropriate and preferred treatment plans, including medication and therapy. She uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as the primary therapy modality, in conjunction with existential therapy, depending on the patient’s needs and preferences. She prefers to allow patients flexibility in their treatment, so the process may look less structured depending on the immediate needs of the patient. Other times, particularly while working through a specific problem in therapy, appointment agendas may be planned out for several weeks. If at any time, however, a need arises to deviate from preplanned appointment agenda, patients are encouraged to discuss this at the beginning of the appointment. Above all, patients’ needs will guide the agenda.

Rebecca Kostopoulos, PMHNP, is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner dedicated to helping people struggling with mental health concerns find ways to live a full and balanced life. Rebecca's practice focuses on medication management. Typically, she offers this in conjunction with supportive or emotionally focused therapy during 30-minute follow-up visits. However, occasionally Rebecca may believe that additional therapy is also needed and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome. She received her Master of Science in Nursing with a specialty in psychiatry from Columbia University and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Boston College. She is trained in psychiatric diagnosis, medication management, and psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Rebecca has extensive experience evaluating and treating adults in a variety of settings over the past 10 years. Previously, she worked at Elmhurst Hospital's Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program and at Gracie Square Hospital in an inpatient unit, in addition to community health settings and skilled nursing facilities. As a nurse practitioner, she believes that addressing mental health concerns is just as important as addressing physical concerns. She values the therapeutic relationship with a collaborative and empathic approach to treatment.

Ashley LaBanca provides medication management and supportive psychotherapy services. She has worked in mental health for over 12 years. She graduated from the University of North Dakota and started in an outpatient setting, transitioning into a lead NP role, then moving on to telehealth services. Seeks to reach those in need when in-person settings are not realistic. Ashley lives in North Dakota with her family. She enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family

Ashley sees medication as a tool, not a cure. She utilizes alternative treatments, assessing physical health, natural alternatives to medication, nutrition, and creating coping skills to manage daily life stressors.  The combination of therapy and medication management is her guiding principle to finding healing and growth. She encourages her clients to be active participants in treatment, striving for a collaborative approach. Aims to foster respect and open communication.

Ashley utilizes a collaborative approach to treatment, individualized to each person's needs. Ms. LaBanca utilizes Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, among other treatment modalities, in conjunction with evidence-based prescribing to create a personalized treatment plan. She considers the social aspects of mental health, including addressing relationships, self-esteem and internal healing.

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