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.
