Meet Our Providers

Afua Ayim, PMHNP

Philosophy of Care

Each patient is a unique individual and should be treated as such. Work together with the patient to achieve patient’s desired goal while respecting the patient’s preferences.  Provide patients and families with accurate and detailed information about their diagnosis to empower them to participate in their care.

Education 

Specialties

• Ages 18+
• Medication Management

Beata Sims, PMHNP, ARNP, MSN

Philosophy of Care

Beata Sims is a double Board-Certified Advance Nurse Practitioner. She launched her career in 2007 and received her Master’s Degree in Primary Care and a Post Master’s Degree in Psychiatric Mental Health.

Her approach is based on integrative psychiatry including

• Prescribing medications
• Motivational, person-centered therapy
• Complementary medicine

She enjoys working with a variety of age groups and provides 100% confidential and non-judgmental environment.

She is licensed to practice statewide and conduct visits by a video call from the safety and comfort of your home. Telepsychiatry makes it possible to get support from anywhere.

Beata has helped thousands of people to regain their health with appropriate medication and therapy.

She speaks English and Polish.

“Life is like a camera. Just focus on what’s important, capture the good times, develop from the negatives, and if things don’t work out, just take another shot.” Richard Branson

Education

Master’s Degree in Primary Care
Post Master’s Degree in Psychiatric Mental Health.

Specialties

• Life Transitions
• Anxiety and Stress
• Depression and Low Self-Esteem
• Bipolar and Personality Disorder
• Trauma and PTSD

Brent Burhite, PMHNP

Philosophy of Care

Brent Burhite is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) in the state of Virginia who has over 24 years of healthcare experience.  He has worked as a nursing assistant, EMT, Registered Nurse and PMHNP.  He specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD, mood disorders, sleep disturbances and helping individuals cope with overall life stressors.  He completed his Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at Minot State University in 2005 and his Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in 2018 and is currently serving in the United States Air Force.  

Brent emphasizes the use of evidence based psychopharmacology coupled with cognitive behavioral strategies to treat mental health symptoms.  He strongly believes in a holistic approach to mental health care and stresses interprofessional collaboration with peers to meet unique client needs.  He is a firm believer that medication management is only a portion of treating mental health concerns and will help clients utilize all resources available to meet their treatment objectives.  

Brent seeks to form an authentic relationship with his clients in order to achieve therapeutic goals.  He understands that building a strong client/provider relationship is key to successful treatment and strives to create an honest, open and comfortable atmosphere to foster growth and healing. 

Education

Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences
Doctor of Nursing Practice

Specialties

• Medication Management
• Depression
• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Mood disorders
• Bipolar Disorders
• Personality Disorders
• Sleep disturbances
• Stress management
• Life transitions
• Relationship issues
• Grief & Loss
• Military issues

Camille Brenke, PMHNP

**Camille offers services in Spanish.

Philosophy of Care

Camille is a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in the state of Virginia who has experience working with children and adults seeking help with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, psychosis and dementia. She completed her Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing at Virginia Commonwealth University. She also holds a minor in Spanish and certificate in Community Engagement.

Camille is a culturally sensitive and queer-affirming provider. She has a special interest in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders as well as alternative and complementary medicines.

Camille seeks to establish a genuine relationship with you and collaborate on creating a treatment plan that is both evidence based and centered on you. It will focus on meeting your goals and improving quality of life.

Education

Virginia Commonwealth University
Master of Science

Specialties

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Bipolar disorder
• Personality Disorders
• Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders
• Alternative and Complementary medicine

Crystal Miller-Williams, PMHNP

Philosophy of Care

Crystal Miller-Williams is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner who is qualified to practice in both primary and psychiatry; diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication for children, adolescents, and adults. Some of her practice specialties include (but not limited to) ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar, and Schizophrenia. Over the course of ten years of medical practice, Crystal has had the privilege of working in many practice areas, including primary care, family practice, gynecology, and internal medicine.

Crystal prefers the patient centered approach, along with the integration of  therapy, daily physical movement and improved sleep practices as foundations for care. Overall Crystal tends to be more conservative in her prescribing practices, especially in regards to prescribing controlled substances such as benzodiazepines.

Education

University of Michigan-Flint
MSN

Specialties

• ADHD
• Depression
• Bipolar Disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Medication Management

Fawn Workman, APRN, FNP-C, PHMNP-BC

Philosophy of Care

Fawn Workman is a dual-board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner in the state of Virginia, and has more than 20 years of nursing experience in providing biopsychosocial care to patients and families of all ages and stages. Fawn’s experience as both a ‘physical’ and ‘mental’ health NP assists her in her holistic approach to care.  She completed her Bachelors in Nursing at Liberty University, and both her Master’s in Nursing degree (FNP) and post-master’s psychiatry specialization (PMHNP) at Frontier Nursing University. 

Fawn desires to work with you to develop a plan for treatment. She prescribes medication, when appropriate, as an add-on to non-medication therapies. These may include (as indicated and accepted by you): counseling and behavioral therapies; lifestyle, social, spiritual, and self-care needs; consideration of possible underlying medical/ health needs and conditions that can contribute to symptoms (in collaboration with your medical care providers); meditation/ prayer; and other therapies. 

Fawn recognizes that most people, at some point, have rough patches in life. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness. She encourages you to reach out and discuss the issues that are most important to you on your path towards mental wellness, and together help you realize and strengthen your abilities, and work towards meeting your goals.

Education

Frontier Nursing University
Master's in Nursing and Post Master's Psychiatry Specialization

Specialties

• Medication management
• Depression
• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Women’s mental health
• Special interest in Tourette’s Syndrome

Germaine Kelley-Pope, PMHNP-BC

Philosophy of Care

Germaine is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certified to provide mental health and substance abuse services to patients across the lifespan. She has over 12 years of experience working as a nurse in the mental health specialty. She has special interest in mood disorders, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD and substance use disorders. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing and her Master of Science in Nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is a member of American Psychiatric Nurses Association, the American Nurses Association, and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honors Society.

As a dedicated and compassionate provider, she provides patient centered care that respects each patient's unique physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and environmental strengths and challenges. She works with patients to explore the root cause of problems and the best treatment plan for meeting the patient’s goal. This can include medications, psychotherapy or combination of both.

Life is full of challenges that can be difficult to overcome without inner strength, effective coping skills, and a good support system. Germaine strives to provide every patient with the support, skills, and unconditional respect they need as they embark on their journey to wellness and recovery.

Education

Virginia Commonwealth University
Master's in Nursing

Specialties

• Anxiety
• Depression
• ADHD
• Sleep Disorder

Jaclyn Boykin, LPC

Philosophy of Care

Jaclyn Boykin is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Virginia who has 4 years’ experience working with adults, children, families, couples, and the military who are seeking help with depression, anxiety, life transitions, relationship issues, parenting, and serious mental illness. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Troy University and received her Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Walden University. Jaclyn is currently working towards her PhD in Counseling Education and Supervision at Walden University. 

Jaclyn utilizes individualized, strength based, cognitive behavioral, mindfulness based, solution focused and emotionally focused approaches to therapy. Jaclyn works to maintain the creativity, flexibility and awareness necessary to best meet the needs of every unique individual, couple, and family.

Jaclyn strives to develop and maintain a warm and caring relationship with you in order to support in building on your strengths and provides encouragement and direction towards meeting your goals and identifying balance to address life’s challenges.

Education

Walden University
Master's in Clinical Psychology

Specialties

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress management
• Self esteem
• Life transitions
• Anger management
• Parenting 
• Relationship issues
• Grief & Loss
• ADHD
• Serious Mental Illness

Julius Smith, LPC

Philosophy of Care

I first would like to congratulate you for considering taking the journey to better yourself. It can be both scary and exciting to make this decision. I believe that I can help you on that journey. I embrace a Person-Centered Approach during therapy, because ultimately the therapy experience is about you, I am simply a guide for you along this journey. 

My philosophy of care is centered around a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy framework that recognizes the impact of our Core Beliefs and Thoughts have a major impact on our emotional well-being.  I also embrace a Solution Focused therapy approach that attempts to identify your specific goals and identify specific objectives. I believe that being able to identify your personal values, your thinking patterns, and your behavioral patterns, then making necessary changes are keys along the path to emotional wellness. 

I have close to 10 years of experience in the mental health field working with a broad spectrum of clientele including: children, adolescents, and adults in a community mental health setting doing therapy and assessments in homes, offices, and hospitals . I have worked with a variety of diagnoses including but not limited to a spectrum of Anxiety Disorders, Schizophrenia, Bi-Polar Disorder, Depression, and PTSD.  Also, for those who are looking to incorporate their Christian faith in their therapy, I can provide a perspective that is in line with those values as a Licensed Minister with a degree in Biblical Studies. Thus, whatever your background I believe can help you on your journey to wellness.

Education

Bellevue University
Master's in Clinical Counseling

Specialties

• Anxiety
• Stress
• Depression
• Mood Disorders
• Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders
• Christian Counseling
• Anger Management

Katherine Hughes, PMHNP

Philosophy of Care

Katherine Hughes is a dual, board-certified Nurse practitioner with specialties in family and psychiatric mental health. She received her undergraduate nursing degree from Georgetown University in 1996, her masters in family specialty in 2012 from George Mason University, her post master's certificate in psychiatric mental health specialty in 2019 from George Mason University and her doctorate from Maryville University in 2015.

Katherine's goal is to build a collaborative relationship with patients, listen to their unique needs and implement a plan that affects positive change. She utilizes a combination of medication management and psychotherapy when necessary, implementing cognitive behavioral, mindfulness and solution focused therapy techniques. As a nurse practitioner, Katherine looks at and values the whole person when considering treatment goals.

Education

George Mason University
Maryville University

Specialties

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Bipolar Disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Dementia

Kelly Hopkins, LPC

Philosophy of Care

Kelly Hopkins is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Virginia, and she holds certifications in the areas of substance use disorders and trauma.  Kelly has 13 years of experience in a variety of settings in the behavioral health field, working with culturally diverse populations with mood disorders, personality disorders, and addictions.  Kelly completed her Bachelor of Arts from Longwood University and she received her Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Kelly utilizes a combination of therapeutic approaches tailored to each individual’s needs.  These include person-centered, trauma-informed, cognitive behavioral, dialectal behavioral, motivational interviewing, and interpersonal.

Kelly looks forward to developing a collaborative relationship with you to build upon your strengths and work towards improving your quality of life.

Education

Virginia Commonwealth University
Master's in Rehabilitation Counseling

Specialties

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Addictions
• Anxiety and Panic Disorders
• Depression
• Bipolar Disorder
• Personality Disorders
• Gender Specific Issues

Sung “Sunny” Cheol Kim, PMHNP-BC

Philosophy of Care

Sunny Kim is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner in the state of Virginia who has 3 years of experience working with the adults who are seeking assistance with psychotropic medication management for depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizophrenia and substance abuse. Sunny received his Master of Science in Nursing at Virginia Commonwealth University and is experienced in psychiatry and addiction medicine.

Sunny utilizes trauma informed care model to create collaborative environments to provide the needs of every unique individual. Previous experiences in psychiatry and addiction medicine enables Sunny to practice without the stigma against mental health and addiction with evidence based care.

Sunny seeks to establish a stigma free relationship to assist you in building the strength that you need to live the meaningful life that you desire.

Education

Virginia Commonwealth University
Master of Science in Nursing

Specialties

• Psychotropic medication management
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Substance abuse
• Bipolar disorders
• Psychotic disorders
• Panic disorders
• ADHD

Suvi Hyytiainen, A-GNP, PMHNP

Philosophy of Care

Suvi Hyytiainen was born in Finland. Suvi completed her undergraduate nursing degree in Finland and has worked in Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom prior to moving to the United States. Suvi has completed the graduate nursing degrees in the United States. Suvi is a board-certified adult geriatric and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Suvi believes in humanistic philosophy of holistic care for both mind and body and has a commitment to individualized and comprehensive care for the patients.

In her free time, Suvi enjoys outdoors, hiking with her friends and rescue Australian Cattle dog, Topi.

Education

Wilkes University
Post Graduate Certificate, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialties

Walden University
Master of Science in Nursing, Adult-Geriatric Nurse Practitioner

Pirkanmaa Polytechnic
Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Specialties

• Depression, Bipolar and Other Mood Disorders
• Anxiety Disorders, Including PTSD
• Grief and Adjustment Disorders
• Insomnia
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Reminiscence Therapy

Chad Hatchel, LPC

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 7 years experience in the mental health field. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech, and a Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. I have lived in Lynchburg, VA, for about 10 years.

I currently supervise an emergency services department, where my staff and I specialize in crisis counseling. My professional experience includes group and individual therapy working with individuals ranging from ages 4 and up. I especially enjoy working with clients struggling with:

• Family issues
• Divorce
• Depression
• Anxiety
• ADHD
• Substance Abuse
• Anger Management
• Parenting Skills,
• Grief and Loss
• Physical and Sexual abuse, and
• Adolescent Issues.

Chinyere Ugwanyi, DNP, PMHNP

Chinyere is a Board Certified licensed, Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with a BSN degree from Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA, an MSN degree from the University of Cincinnati, Ohio and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from Chatham University, Pittsburgh, PA—all with honors. Chinyere has 13 years of healthcare experience with 12 years of that as a psychiatric nurse and 7 years of experience as a nurse practitioner, providing psychiatric evaluation, treatment and medication management to patients with varying degrees of mental illness, in inpatient/outpatient settings. In addition, Chinyere has worked in a major community mental health system alongside nursing homes and feels comfortable working with a variety of mental and behavioral health conditions, including serious mental illnesses She has expertise in treating mainly adult patients, but can work with adolescent patients as well. She treats patients with disorders that include anxiety, depression, personality disorders, ADHD, PTSD, substance abuse, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Chinyere’s approach to care of her patients is straightforward and clear. She is very professional, caring, respectful and strives to offer personalized mental health services. Chinyere seeks to build a lasting therapeutic relationship with you, while showing empathy with listening ears to your mental health concerns.

Chinyere’s goal is to provide every patient with the highest quality care while empowering them to live a successful, fulfilled life, alongside being in control of their mental health.