Our Clinicians

As the Medical Director of Metropolitan Behavioral Services (MBS), I work closely with the nurse practitioners at MBS and have a particular interest in men's mental health. I earned my medical degree at the University of Miami Leonard Miller School of Medicine. After completing a four-year residency in psychiatry with Harvard Medical School, I attained board certification with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. In addition to being the Medical Director of MBS, I am the Chief of Emergency Psychiatry for all Baptist Emergency Departments in North Florida. I produced videos directed towards men available on his website below.

My experience includes over ten years working with children and adolescents. I earned my medical degree at St. George’s University School of Medicine and completed the Triple Board Residency Program (general pediatrics, psychiatry, and child and adolescent psychiatry) at Tulane University in New Orleans. After the completion of my fellowship training, I spent five years working as a psychiatrist in the US Air Force. I attained board certifications with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry. In addition to being a child psychiatrist at MBS, I work as a Consult and Liaison psychiatrist at Wolfson Children’s Hospital within the Baptist Medical Center System.

 While earning my undergraduate nursing degree and my doctorate in nursing from the University of Florida, I continually found that my heart desired to serve a very underserved population. I truly believe that health and wellness begin in the mind and spirit, and from there affect the body. Psychiatric disorders do not discriminate; mental health nursing is a total body approach to healing for all kinds of people. I have particular experience working with physical disabilities, adult outpatient mental health and medication management, college campuses and young adults just beginning their careers, community and family mental health, as well as inpatient adolescent behavioral mental health. I love people and enjoy getting to know what in their lives has formed them into the people they are today.

Born in Romania, I moved to Jacksonville, Florida years ago at the young age of thirteen. While working with chronically ill patients in the intensive care unit as a registered nurse, I discovered my love for mental health and decided to pursue a career as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. I earned a Master’s degree in Nursing from Jacksonville University. My goal is to help those with mental health needs in the best way I can because I truly believe that mental health is just as important as physical health. I enjoy meeting people and getting to help them in any way that I can.

As a certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I strongly advocate for reducing mental illness stigma. I earned my master’s in nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I have a background in ER nursing and inpatient psychiatry. Working with acutely ill medical patients next to psychiatric patients in crisis made me realize that neither has priority over the other. I believe in holistic care, focusing on mind, body, and spirit. I aim to instill hope and help individuals achieve quality of life by improving and maintaining their mental health.

I am a dedicated and compassionate board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner providing patient-centered care to children and adolescents. I graduated from the University of Alabama with a master’s degree in nursing and have over nine years of nursing experience in the psychiatric field ranging from adolescent and adult substance use disorders to mental health crisis stabilization. I recognize the unique challenges that children and adolescents face in expressing their emotions and navigating the complexities of their evolving identities. My approach to care is marked by patience, empathy, and a commitment to creating a trusting therapeutic relationship. I believe in creating a safe and non-judgmental space where individuals feel heard and understood. This commitment to empathetic listening enables me to collaboratively navigate the complexities of mental health with my patients, while respecting their unique perspectives and experiences.

As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I am driven by a passion for holistic mental health care. I received my undergraduate nursing degree from the University of North Florida and my master’s degree in nursing from Jacksonville University. My nursing background includes working in oncology and inpatient behavioral health, where I witnessed firsthand the profound impact of mental health on overall well-being. I am committed to de-stigmatizing mental health, fostering therapeutic relationships, and tailoring treatment plans to individual needs. I enjoy connecting with diverse individuals and am happy to be a part of their journey.

I value each individual and have the ability to work with all individuals regardless of background, gender, and religion. My goal is to provide different forms of intervention to meet each client's needs. Services include treatment for those who have been victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and/or emotional abuse. Additional services include treatment for anger management, domestic violence, substance abuse and voluntary or court ordered therapy. Military and law enforcement personnel and their families can have their counseling needs met at Metropolitan Behavioral Services. This agency is now providing services for professional athletes. I complete custody evaluations also known as social investigations. Sessions are offered in individual, group, and couple formats to best meet the needs of the clients. With more than 8 years of experience working in child abuse investigations, 5 years as a mental health evaluator and crisis response counselor, 2 years with inpatient mental health, and 2 years providing forensic services, I am prepared to provide the assistance you need.

I have 24 years of experience in behavioral health, working with adults, adolescents, children, and families in multiple contexts and from diverse backgrounds. I have conducted individual, group, and family therapy in outpatient, hospital, community-based, and residential settings. For the last 14 years, I worked as a Mental Health Evaluator in the Emergency Departments at Baptist Downtown and Wolfson Children’s Hospital and for the last 11 years in private practice with Volland and Associates, Inc. The first task in therapy is to get acquainted and begin to build the foundation for future work and growth. I will attempt to join with you, wherever you are, and establish an environment of safety and trust, the essential ingredients for self-exploration, authentic connection, and deeper understanding. Together, we will identify your needs and use evidence-based strategies to meet your specific goals at your own pace. Whether you want to alleviate pain and distress, to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life, to disrupt dysfunctional and destructive patterns and behaviors, or to improve your key relationships, I will work with you to address these issues in a personalized and culturally competent manner.

People seek counseling for many reasons but one desire is common: to stop suffering. We will meet in a setting of mutual respect, human regard, and committed willingness to examine this discomfort; and whether or not it can be eliminated, alleviated, or ultimately accepted, the focus will always remain on finding ways for you to live a meaningful life. For roughly 30 years, my practice has been based on behavior analysis, acceptance and mindfulness techniques, and functional-analytic therapies. Settings for my work include in-home, in-office, community mental health, hospitals, juvenile detention, and private practice. My experiences include assisting others with mood instability, trauma, personal relationships, and healthy communication. I’ve worked individually, and in groups, with adults, children, families, couples from culturally diverse backgrounds. When we are locked into painful, unworkable relationships with others, or even within ourselves, we want the hope of something better. My specialty is teaming up with you to unlock these unworkable patterns and to find alternatives that will allow your intimate relationships to prosper and leave with you a deeper sense of living.

My experience includes working with children and adolescents, as well as adults in several mental health settings, such as outpatient therapy and crisis intervention in a hospital. Cognitive behavioral therapy is typically my treatment model of preference, and in my practice, I treat issues and diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, anger, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance misuse. My patients have described me as having a calm, welcoming, and relaxing demeanor. In terms of education, I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of North Florida and a Master's Degree in Social Work from Florida State University. I spend my free time working out, traveling, and hiking.

For over 13 years, I have been a therapist who practices from a person-centered therapeutic foundation with a focus on positive psychology. I assist my clients in finding purpose and meaning in life while improving their overall satisfaction and well-being. I utilize evidence-based interventions specific and individualized to the needs of each client. My areas of expertise include PTSD, moral injury, human sexuality, sexual trauma, eating disorders, substance use disorders, LGBTQ+ issues, and gender identity. I am trained in EMDR and certified in child and adolescent trauma, Safe and Sound Protocol found within polyvagal theory, and transgender care. In addition to being one of the therapists at MBS, I am a Consult Liaison Therapist in the Psychology Department at Wolfson Children's Hospital and within the Baptist Medical Center System. In my spare time, I like to spend time at the beach with my dogs and playing beach volleyball.

I have experience working across the lifespan from infant mental health to geriatrics, and with people from diverse backgrounds including those in state correctional institutions, county jails, juvenile detention facilities, and city substance use diversion centers. I’ve conducted telehealth therapy, groups, and in-person sessions. Counseling those in need of healing and helping with domestic violence, childhood trauma, and the schizophrenia spectrum is where I have been most effective and compassionate as a therapist. Trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy is the evidence-based practice I have used for treatment intervention with many of my clients to assist them when they are diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other severe reactions to trauma. In addition, I have a Parent-Child Attachments, FirstPlay® Therapy Certification. When I worked in the schools, some of my kids would leave my classroom commenting, “This was therapy? Wow, it was fun!” My experiences lead me to believe therapy can be engaging while being instrumental for children. I earned my master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from Jacksonville University in Florida. I enjoy audiobooks, cooking, kayaking in the springs, photography, and concerts.