Meet our staff
Accepting:
- Aetna
- Beacon Health Options
- CareFirst BCBS
- Cigna
- ComPsych
- Humana
- Magellan
- United Healthcare
Pending:
- Multiplan
- Tricare
Self Pay Rate: $99
Alexandria “Adria” Grey, LCPC
Philosophy of Care
Adria Grey is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Maryland who has 10 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults seeking help with depression, anxiety, life transitions, trauma and relationship issues. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from George Mason University and received her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University.
Adria utilizes relational, collaborative, strength based, cognitive behavioral, solution focused, emotionally focused and expressive approaches to therapy always maintaining the creativity, flexibility and awareness necessary to best meet the needs of every unique individual, couple, and family.
Adria seeks to establish a person-centered and caring relationship with you in order to assist in the road towards your individual goals and life exploration.
Education
Walden University
MS Mental Health Counseling
Specialties
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Stress management
- Self esteem
- Life transitions and adjustment
- Trauma
- Anger management
- Substance issues
- Relationship issues
- Women’s Issues
Accepting:
- CareFirst BCBS
- Cigna
- ComPsych
- Magellan
- Multiplan
- United Healthcare
Pending:
- Aetna
- Beacon Health Options
- Humana
- Tricare
Self Pay Rate: $150: Intake
$100: Follow-up
Amara Toure, PMHNP
Philosophy of Care
Amara Toure is a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with experience conducting psychiatric evaluations, diagnosing and treating individuals with psychiatric disorders across the lifespan. He has experience providing care to patients of different populations (adolescents, adults, geriatrics and veterans), in different settings (inpatient, outpatient and homecare), with the goals of restoring, improving and stabilizing patients’ mental health. He completed his Master of Science in Nursing (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program) at Eastern Kentucky University. Prior to becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner, he received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Maryland school of Nursing. He worked as a psychiatric nurse and a medical surgical nurse at different private and public hospitals, and long-term care facilities, in the state of Maryland and the District of Columbia. His practice philosophy emanates from his nursing background that emphasize providing safe, compassionate, and empathetic patient-centered care. He strongly believes in a holistic approach to promote mental health and well-being, and he takes pride in delivering the best evidence based psychiatric care that is individualized to the needs of each patient.
Education
Eastern Kentucky University
Master of Science in Nursing (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner )
Specialties
- ADHD/ADD
- Mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder)
- Anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder)
- Psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, brief psychotic disorder)
- PTSD
Accepting:
- CareFirst BCBS
- Cigna
- ComPsych
- Humana
- Magellan
- Multiplan
- United Healthcare
Pending:
- Aetna
- Beacon Health Options
- Tricare
Self Pay Rate: $150: Intake
$100: Follow-up
Binta Bojang, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Philosophy of Care
Binta Bojang is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with over 20 years of clinical experience. She specializes in medication management to treat schizophrenia, anxiety, mood disorders, dual diagnosis, and mental health disorders across the spectrum. She will work with your mental healthcare team to collaborate and develop a plan to achieve your goals.
She received her Bachelor’s degree from Coppin State University and a Master’s degree from George Washington University in DC. She completed her post-masters certification in Mental and Behavioral Health from the University of Cincinnati.
Education
George Washington University, University of Cincinnati
Master's in Science
Specialties
- Medication Management
Accepting:
- Aetna
- CareFirst BCBS
- Cigna
- Humana
- Magellan
- United Healthcare
Pending:
- Beacon Health Options
- ComPsych
- Multiplan
- Tricare
Self Pay Rate: $150: Intake
$100: Follow-up
Bolanle Saba, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC
Philosophy of Care
Bolanle Saba is a Licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner in the state of Maryland and Virginia who has 2 years experience with adults seeking treatment with pain management in addition with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and women's mental health. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Pennsylvania State University, second Bachelors of Nursing from George Washington University and her Masters of Nursing in Family Nurse Practitioner from George Washington University as well. Bolanle realized after treating acute and chronic pain that most of her patients with behavioral comorbidities needed more care and collaborative treatment, it is this that inspired her to then receive her Post Master Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health from Liberty University.
Bolanle believes in offering a warm, compassionate, holistic and collaborative approach to treatment and therapy. She utilizes her experience, knowledge and evidenced based practice to create a treatment plan that best meets the needs of every unique individual. Bolanle believes that each individual knows themselves best and in order to be a great provider one must first be a great listener.
Bolanle seeks to establish a genuine and meaningful relationship with you in order to assist in helping you live a quality lifestyle. Bolanle believes that if you look good, you will feel good and in return you will do good to others. All of this starts with your mental health and trickles down to your emotional and physical well being.
Education
George Washington University & Liberty University
Master's of Nursing
Specialties
- Pain Management
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Women’s mental health
- ADHD
- Adjustment Disorder
- Alzheimer’s Dementia
Accepting:
- Aetna
- CareFirst BCBS
- Cigna
- ComPsych
- Humana
- Magellan
- United Healthcare
Pending:
- Beacon Health Options
- Multiplan
- Tricare
Self Pay Rate: $150: Intake
$100: Follow-up
Ebun Akinyemi, PMHNP
Philosophy of Care
Ebun Akinyemi is a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) in Maryland with seven years’ experience working with individuals with depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges; first, as a nurse, and now as a psych nurse practitioner. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and has a Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University, specializing in psychiatric-mental health nursing.
Ebun collaborates with clients to ensure individualized care for clients with mental health challenges. She utilizes evidence-based practice to assess, diagnose, and treat clients.
Ebun seeks to create a caring partnership with clients, ensuring that the client has the support they need through their journey to wellness.
Education
Walden University
MSN
Specialties
- Medication Management
Accepting:
- Aetna
- CareFirst BCBS
- Cigna
- Humana
- Magellan
- Multiplan
- United Healthcare
Pending:
- Beacon Health Options
- ComPsych
- Tricare
Self Pay Rate: $150: Intake
$100: Follow-up
Francine Kamhoua, CRNP-PMH
Philosophy of Care
Imagine feeling anxious, stressed, and not knowing where to get help. You require someone who cares by your side. Our goal is to build a lifelong-lasting relationship with each patient through mutual trust and respect.
Francine Kamhoua is a board-certified Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) who practices in Bethesda, MD. She has over seven years of nursing experience. She obtained her Bachelor's degree in Nursing from Keuka College and completed her Master's degree in Nursing from Walden University. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Francine Kamhoua provides a unique, compassionate, evidence-based, patient-centered, and holistic approach to care. She specializes in assessing, diagnosing, and treating multiple mental and psychiatric disorders. Her overall goal is for each person to attain his/her optimum well-being and long-term happiness. She also speaks French.
If you are struggling emotionally, do not hesitate to contact her to book an appointment in person or via tele-health.
Education
Walden University
Master's in Nursing
Specialties
● Anxiety
● Depression
● Medication Management
Accepting:
- CareFirst BCBS
- Cigna
- ComPsych
- Humana
- Magellan
- Multiplan
- Tricare
- United Healthcare
Pending:
- Aetna
- Beacon Health Options
Self Pay Rate: $150: Intake
$100: Follow-up
Francis Oduah, PMHNP
Philosophy of Care
Francis Oduah MSN, FNP-BC, PMHNP, is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who provides comprehensive client-focused mental health care to individuals and their families. He has managed several psychiatric conditions including anxiety, depression, mood disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. He completed his Master of Science in Nursing at Concordia University Wisconsin and received his Certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from Washburn University.
Francis utilizes reflective practice and therapeutic use of self as a core to his practice. He is committed to building and establishing a therapeutic relationship with you, identifying your mental health concerns and providing appropriate treatment. Furthermore, Francis performs client assessment, develops treatment plans and provides recommendations to community resources when appropriate.
Francis seeks to ensure you achieve health and wellness by identifying your psychiatric disorder and focuses on treatment that meets your mental health care needs – allowing you to live a meaningful life you value and desire.
Education
Washburn University
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-Master of Science in Nursing
Specialties
- Depression
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder and Other Mood Disorders
- Postpartum depression
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- social Anxiety
- Panic disorder
Accepting:
- Aetna
- CareFirst BCBS
- ComPsych
- Humana
- Magellan
- Multiplan
- United Healthcare
Pending:
- Beacon Health Options
- Cigna
- Tricare
Self Pay Rate: $150: Intake
$100: Follow-up
Maureen Tabansi, PMHNP
Philosophy of Care
Maureen Tabansi is a licensed Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in Maryland who has over 13 years experience as a nurse; she is a caring, people oriented, optimistic, empathetic and enthusiastic person. She completed her Masters in Science from Walden University and graduated as a Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in 2019. Since her graduation, she has worked as a clinician in both outpatient and inpatient facilities to provide care to both adults and children seeking help with Bipolar, anxiety, depression and adjustment issues.
Maureen employs a non-judgmental innovation in problem solving, she possess good communication skills, she has great stamina, acquires a good sense of humor, and her commitment to client advocacy makes her strive to take her clients to their highest functional level.
Maureen uses her critical thinking skills acquired through her years of education and training to build a caring environment and relationship which her clients in other to map out an individualized treatment plan in collaboration with the client to achieve a desired common goal.
Education
Maryland
Masters Degree
Specialties
- Anxiety
- Schizophrenia
- PTSD
- Bipolar
- Depression
- Adjustment issues
- Conduct issues
- Personality issues
- ADHD
Accepting:
- CareFirst BCBS
- ComPsych
- Magellan
- Multiplan
- United Healthcare
Pending:
- Aetna
- Beacon Health Options
- Cigna
- Humana
- Tricare
Self Pay Rate: $150: Intake
$100: Follow-up
Nadine Kakanou, PMHNP
Philosophy of Care
A psychiatry nurse practitioner is tasked with evaluating a patient’s mental health status by assessing their relevant medical background, conducting comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, and identifying potential issues that might negatively impact a patient's mental health. The primary concern of individuals suffering from mental health problems is accessing mental health care professionals equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide comprehensive care and offer preventive strategies. Although psychiatry nurse practitioners receive intense training to meet mental health patients' needs, their roles are poorly understood because regulatory barriers have limited the entire scope of the practice. Therefore, this paper will explore their philosophy of Care.
Due to the complexity of human beings in understanding their lives and illness experience, PNP requires the ability to access situations from different perspectives, not only through a psychological lens but also from a biological and development view, while recognizing the perspective of stakeholder affected. Besides, Mental health disorder affects the ability to communicate experiences, and its symptoms may not conform to conventional diagnostic criteria. Therefore, PNP needs to have a high tolerance of uncertainties and a willingness to frequently re-evaluate assessments upon discovering new information.
In addition to diagnosing and treating disease, PNP natures resilience, and growth capacity because of psychiatry disorder on patients' growth and development abilities. The existing healthcare system may fail to address the complexity of problems suffered by patients completely. Consequently, PNP needs to effectively advocate for patients to acquire all the services needed to meet their mental health needs. They also need to push for the development of more effective services.
In conclusion, psychiatry nurse practitioners are well prepared and equipped to provide independent and effective psychiatric care and treatment to effectively meet the needs of mental health patients.
Education
Walden University
PMHNP
Specialties
- Medication Management
Accepting:
- Aetna
- Beacon Health Options
- CareFirst BCBS
- Cigna
- ComPsych
- Humana
- Magellan
- Multiplan
- United Healthcare
Pending:
- Tricare
Self Pay Rate: $99
Nina Davachi, LCPC
Philosophy of Care
I enjoy working with adolescents, adults, couples, children, and families who are facing a challenge and are looking for support. My experience in clinical practice allows me to assist with goal-directed activities and work to achieve change. A large part of my work is helping clients manage their anxiety or depression and to take concrete steps towards a more adaptive future. We work together to accomplish your goals.
I will support you in gaining insight that drives positive behavioral changes and helps you accept, rather than fight change. My approach is integrative and I incorporate different modalities to address issues. Collaboratively, we will decide on which approach is the best fit for you.
I have experience with a variety of issues, ages, and cultures, and find meaning in helping clients overcome barriers to becoming their best selves.
Education
Argosy University
Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Specialties
- Relationships
- Families
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood Disorders
- Self-Harm
- CBT
- DBT
Accepting:
- Aetna
- CareFirst BCBS
- Cigna
- Magellan
- Multiplan
- United Healthcare
Pending:
- Beacon Health Options
- ComPsych
- Humana
- Tricare
Self Pay Rate: $150: Intake
$100: Follow-up
Ogo Tunde-Sanya, CRNP-PMH, FNP
Philosophy of Care
Ogo Tunde-Sanya is dual-certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner in the state of Maryland. She has experience working with patients of all ages who are seeking help with depression, anxiety, medication management, mood disorder, and adjustment issues. She completed her Bachelor of Nursing at Frostburg State University Maryland, received her Masters of Nursing at Walden University as a Family Nurse Practitioner, and a Post-Master Certificate of Nursing at Liberty University as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Ogo provides quality care through a flexible, patient focused, collaborative approach designed to treat the individual needs of each patient. She seeks to assess, diagnose, and treat physical, social, and mental health issues in a way that is a positive experience for the patient.
Ogo wants to create a trusting and understanding relationship with you, where you work together in deciding the best course of action in your treatment and your overall healthcare goals.
Education
Liberty University, Lynchburg University
Masters of Nursing- Family Nurse Practitioner
Specialties
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Stress management
- Mood Disorder
- Attention Deficit Disorder
- Personality Disorders
- Medication Management
- PTSD
- Grief and Loss
Accepting:
- Aetna
- Magellan
Pending:
- Beacon Health Options
- CareFirst BCBS
- Cigna
- ComPsych
- Humana
- Multiplan
- Tricare
- United Healthcare
Self Pay Rate: $50: Intake
$100: Follow-up
Tolulope Lawson-John, PMHNP, CRNP
Philosophy of Care
Tolulope Lawson-John is a board certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner licensed in Maryland, who specializes in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating various mental health conditions not limited to Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar, PTSD, Psychoses, and Substance abuse disorders. She has over ten years of clinical experience working in diverse clinical practice and settings (including hospital, long term care, primary practice and Corrections) which have tutored her to be empathetic and compassionate while still providing evidence-based practice in treating patients.
Tolulope believes in removing the stigma from mental illness, thereby making treatment and recovery possible. She is proficient in conducting thorough psychiatric evaluation and evidence-based medication management. She believes in holistic, patient-centered approach to psychiatry, with individual touch.
Tolulope obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN, FNP) from Coppin State University. She completed her Post Masters in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) at Washburn University. Besides English, she speaks Yoruba fluently.
Education
Specialties
- Ages 18+
- Medication Management
Accepting:
- CareFirst BCBS
- Cigna
- ComPsych
- Humana
- Magellan
- Multiplan
Pending:
- Aetna
- Beacon Health Options
- Tricare
- United Healthcare
Self Pay Rate: $150: Intake
$100: Follow-up
Victorine Ngang, PMHNP
Philosophy of Care
Victorine (Vicky) Ngang is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner specialized in treating patients with mental illnesses in Washington DC and Maryland. She is board certified with the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She completed her undergraduate degree from American Sentinel University and pursued her Master degree as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner from Walden University. After working as a registered nurse in several settings, she decided to further her education with specialty in mental health. Her inspiration was driven from the stigma associated with mental health illnesses in the communities. She is a community advocate of mental illness and her grit is to bridge the gap between physical and mental health as well as reduce the stigma about mental health
Victorine (Vicky) is proficient in her role to intervene with vulnerable populations and promote mental health across the lifespan. Her scope of practice include: being an active listener, collaborating and coordinating care, performing a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, obtaining labs and interpreting results as well as prescribing psychotropic medications that are Evidence Base for diagnosis.
Victorine is goal directed towards partnering with you to uncover your unique strengths. She is focus on providing empathic, compassionate, respectable, and acceptable care through assessment, diagnosing, planning, implementing and evaluating.
Education
Walden University
Masters
Specialties
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Panic Disorder
- Attention deficit hyperactive disorder/Attention deficit disorder (ADHD/ADD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Eating disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Psychiatric medication review
- And many more
Accepting:
- Aetna
- Beacon Health Options
- Carefirst BCBS
- Cigna
- ComPsych
- Humana
- Magellan
- Multiplan
- United Healthcare
Pending:
- Tricare
Self Pay Rate: $99
Quintin Talley, LCPC
Philosophy of Care
Quintin Talley is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the state of Maryland, and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of VA (he accepts self pay in VA). Quintin has nearly 10 years of experience working with adults (18 - 90) and children (5-17), in a number of therapeutic settings. Quintin has experience working with individuals, couples, families, and groups. He has helped clients to work through issues related to anxiety, depression, mood disorders, personality disorders, school problems, career/job stress, communication problems in marriages and relationships, trauma, and other behavioral concerns. Quintin has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Bowie State University and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Towson University.
Quintin uses CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) based, person centered, mindfulness, solution focused, play therapy, and family systems interventions to help his clients meet their therapeutic goals. Quintin also provides coaching and counseling to couples and marriages having difficulty with communication and other relationship stressors.
Quintin is very warm and approachable, yet intuitive. He understands that change can be difficult, and structuring a therapy plan that is both realistic and challenging is the key to making lasting change. Quintin understands that every individual is unique, and needs a customized approach in order to become the best versions of themselves.
Education
Towson University
Master's in Counseling Psychology
Specialties
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Marriage/Relationship issues
- Social Interaction
- Men’s issues
- Family dynamics
- Self-Esteem
- Children (5-17)
- Grief and loss
- Life Transitions
Accepting:
- Aetna
- Beacon Health Options
- CareFirst BCBS
- Cigna
- ComPsych
- Humana
- Magellan
- Multiplan
- Tricare
- Optum
- United Healthcare
Self Pay Rate: $99
Patrick J. Hogan, LCPC
Philosophy of Care
Pat Hogan is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Maryland.
Growth, change and renewal are central to Pat’s counseling philosophy.
Pat works with life transitions, adjustment challenges, end-of-life/grief, dementia and aging, and men’s issues. Pat finds that many people are searching for meaning and connection. He believes, as Pierre Teilhard de Chardin wrote, that "We are not human beings on a spiritual journey, we are spiritual beings on a human journey,” meaning that each of us has inherent value and worth regardless of our circumstances and that each of us has the capacity for abundance and joy in life.
Pat works with each person’s strengths to focus on practical solutions and effective coping strategies. He has a Masters in Pastoral Counseling and recognizes that within each of us is a source of healing, creativity, resilience and vitality. Pat has decades of experience in spiritual practice, a touchstone for supporting clients in their own lives.
Pat is known for his caring and involved presence and is ready to assist you in your growth. Whatever you do, remember to keep investing in yourself, in your life, not because everything will go as planned but because your abilities, strengths and self-confidence will create a more positive and healthful you!
Education and Licensure
Pat Hogan is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Maryland.
Masters in Pastoral Counseling
Specialties
- Adjustment concerns
- Life transitions
- Spiritual/faith-based counseling
- Loss/Bereavement/Anticipatory grief
- Stress management
- Men’s issues
- Dementia and aging care-related support and education
Accepting:
- CareFirst BCBS
- ComPsych
- Humana
- Magellan
- Medicare
- Multiplan
- United Healthcare
Pending:
- Tricare
Self Pay Rate: $99
Gwendolyn Harter, LCSW-C
Life in the 21st Century is abounding with technology that helps us find opportunities to be our true selves and find our kind of people. It also comes with anxiety, depression, traumas, relationship issues, and changes to family life with seemingly no precedent for you to follow. Having a therapist that understands technology’s new role in every day life is important.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. What that means to me is that it is important to understand you and your environment. Do you enjoy cosplaying at your favorite conventions, hitting the Ren Faire, or playing MMOs? How about trying to find someone who knows what a subreddit is and also comfortable discussing social media and its impact on your life? Look no further!
I primarily work with adolescents and young adults who are struggling with gender or sexual diversities, trauma, bullying, self-harm, autism, depression, and anxiety. I am a member of WPATH and have received advanced training in treating Complex Trauma. My office is a brave space to explore yourself and your place in the world. I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Trauma Systems Therapy.
Accepting:
- Aetna
- Beacon Health Options
- CareFirst BCBS
- Cigna
- ComPsych
- Humana
- Magellan
- Multiplan
- Tricare
- United Healthcare
Self Pay Rate: $99
Carolina Carbajal, LPC
Philosophy of Care
My passion for counseling is very transparent. I enjoy providing my clients with highly effective tools and strategies to promote wellbeing and positive change. My utmost priority is establishing a safe and comfortable environment to foster growth, insight, empowerment, and healing.
I incorporate different treatment modalities to meet the needs of the client and tailor my sessions utilizing cognitive behavioral, strength-based, solution-focused, and person-centered approaches. The goal is for my clients to overcome the challenges that are preventing them from cultivating meaningful and fulfilling lives.
I have experience working with all age groups. I started my clinical career in child and adolescent psychopathology and working with individuals on the Autism spectrum. I have extensive experience in multi-cultural counseling treating complex trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, conduct disorder, mood disorders, adjustment, and life transitions. My previous work experience has been in the field of multi-systemic therapy, applied behavior analysis, domestic violence, trauma therapy and anger management. I am also bilingual and can provide sessions in Spanish.
“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” -Henry Ford
Education
Johns Hopkins University
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Specialties
- Child and Adolescent Counseling
- Autism
- Trauma & PTSD
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Adjustment & Life Transitions
- Grief and Loss
- Anger Management
Accepting:
- Aetna
- Beacon Health Options
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Cigna
- ComPsych
- Humana
- Magellan
- Multiplan
- Tricare
- United Healthcare
Pending:
Self Pay Rate: $150: Intake
$100: Follow-up
Eric Yenchi, NP
My name is Eric Kowshoh Yenchi, I was born in Cameroon central Africa, I grew up in a small village in the North West region of Cameroon known as Babungo. Growing up in Cameroon, life was very tough, especially when it came to health care .There was just 1 health center in my village which was staffed with 1 nurse and a medical doctor who visited once every two months. This meant people who were very sick and could not wait till the arrival of the medical doctor had to drive for about 5 hours to the closest hospital in the town of Kumbo to get health care. This meant that many people who made the journey died due to bad roads, and sometimes the long waits that it took to see a medical doctor at the hospital.
The poor state of the health sector in my native country cost the lives of many of my family members, resulting in my resolve to become a medical professional so I could one day change the situation and help my community. With this in mind when I arrived the United States in 2006, I decided to study nursing. After graduating with my BSN in 2010, I decided to start my nursing career in a long term care facility taking care of geriatric patients with various illnesses confined to a nursing home. In January 2011, I visited my native country Cameroon for the first time, volunteered at the only clinic that was in my village. This time around they had more staff (4 nurses, and 1 medical doctor), which made my experience less tedious than I had anticipated. However, during this visit, I noticed that many of the people that were coming into the clinic with a mental illness were being turned away to traditional healers as the clinic did not have any experience dealing with mental illness.
With my observation, I decided to do a little research about mental health in Cameroon .What I found was not only shocking but was also very scary. I found out there were only two government hospitals in the country providing mental health services to 22 million people. Cameroon has 0.03 psychiatrists per 100, 000 of the population, and 0.2 psychiatric nurses per 100,000 of the population (psychology in Africa, 2013).Initiatives by private organizations in recent years have seen the creation of Mental Health hospital in Kumbo and BIMEHC, a mental health clinic in my village of Babungo.
With the acute shortage of these facilities and personnel, my focus changed. I realized there was not only a need for personnel but leadership to transform the mental health sector and sensitize the population about mental illness, as many attribute mental illness to witchcraft and spiritual curses. With this in mind, in 2011 I became a psychiatric nurse, enrolled and earned an MSN in Nursing Leadership in 2013.In 2015 I went to Cameroon, this time around I volunteered at Babungo Integrated Mental Health Care (BIMEHC) as a psychiatric nurse. During this service the main problem was the lack of a qualified practitioner for mental health. There was 1 psychiatrist coming from the capital every 6 months to meet with patients and prescribe medications for them. This acute shortage of mental health practitioners, has led me to believe that I can make a difference in the lives of those suffering from a mental illness by becoming a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Since becoming a psychiatric nurse , I have had various positions in the Mental health filed , from Charge nurse to , supervisor , and to Director of various mental health clinics in the Washington DC area .In November 2019 I passed my Boards to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and I am loving every minute of it .My short term goal is to continue providing services to those in need in and around my community , while my long term goal will be to someday own my own practice.
Accepting:
- Aetna
- Beacon Health Options
- CareFirst BCBS
- Cigna
- ComPsych
- Humana
- Magellan
- Multiplan
- Tricare
- United Healthcare
Self Pay Rate: $99
Farha Mowlana, LCPC
Sometimes we go through experiences that plant the seeds of self-doubt and shame or leave us confused and grappling for answers. My goal as a therapist is to create a safe environment for you to be able to process the complexities of life by self-exploration, to garner a deeper understanding of yourself through a holistic approach; taking into account the body, mind, spirit, and emotions in the quest for optimal wellness.
I specialize in addressing Trauma, Family relationships, Depression, Anxiety, Addiction and Co-occurring disorders. I have experience working with people from all walks of life and know the importance of being culturally aware to each individual's needs. My approach is Strength-based, CBT oriented, Trauma-Focused, while incorporating Mindfulness and Motivational Interviewing techniques.
I take the time to create personalized treatment plans with the recognition that we all have unique experiences that shape and assist us in overcoming the challenges we face.