“You may not have full control of your symptoms, but you have control over your next step”
-Michelle Maros
conditions we diagnose & treat
Anxiety – Persistent, overwhelming worry
- Excessive worry or fear
- Restlessness or feeling on edge, difficulty relaxing
- Fatigue or feeling easily tired despite adequate sleep
- Difficulty concentrating or remaining focused
Bipolar Disorder – Mood swings, irritable, impulsive
- Manic episodes of high energy, grandiosity, risky behaviors
- Hypomanic episodes of less severe mania & elevated activity
- Depressive episodes characterized by sadness & apathy
- Mixed episodes include both mania and depression
ADHD – Inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity
- Difficulty staying focused or on-tasks
- Hyperactivity includes constant movement, fidgeting
- Impulsively or hastily acting without thinking
- Difficulty with detail resulting in careless mistakes
Depression - Sad, fatigued, unmotivated
- Persistently low or depressed mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
- Significant changes in appetite or weight
- Sleep disturbances such as too much or too little sleep
Trauma – Nightmares, hypervigilance, flashbacks
- Intrusive, distressing flashbacks of the traumatic event
- Avoid people & situations that remind you of the trauma
- Persistent negative emotions, feeling detached from others
- Easily startled, feeling on edge, or difficulty sleeping
Thought Disorders – Disorganized, paranoid, delusional
- Disorganized thinking, incoherent speech.
- Loose associations by jumping between unrelated topics.
- Tangentiality through inclusion of irrelevant information.
- Incoherence (word salad), illogical word combinations
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – Checking, counting, germaphobic
- Compulsive repetitive behaviors or rituals
- Repeatedly intrusive disturbing or unwanted thoughts
- Obsessive, recurrent urges or anxiety causing mental images
- Avoid situations that trigger obsessions or compulsions
Panic Disorder – Intense, sudden fear
- Panic attacks episodes of intense fear & discomfort
- Symptoms include palpitations, sweating, trembling
- Fear of future attacks creates worry of more attacks
- Avoids places where previous attacks occurred
The stuff of life
- Stress Management
- Life Transitions
- Relationship issues
What patients say about us…
My teen son has started seeing Sunami for several months. It’s been great to see and hear his trust in her grow. We are building a toolset that my son can practice and use. It takes a village; happy and relieved to have found Sunami for my son’s mental health journey.
Sunami is amazing. She is understanding, which I truly appreciate. She has been flexible with me during challenging times. She really cares about helping me and that is so important to me. I appreciate everything she has done/does for me!
Natasa R. is a very dedicated and special provider. She is knowledgeable in the science of mental health but seems have a talent to seek out The Whole Picture. She responds to my in between appointment concerns in a very timely manner. Natasa is, IMO, a gem of a provider who uses her cognitive, emotional and social intelligences to provide the best care for her patients.
Meet The Team
We are a team of psychiatric nurse practitioners united by a shared passion for making a difference in the lives of those facing mental health challenges.
Sunami Gurung
CT, MA, NH, NY, RI, VT
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Natasa Ristivojevic
MA, NH
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Salma Trainor
MA, NH
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
James Quackenbush
MA, NH, NY
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Juliana S Pires
CO, CT, MA, NH, NY, OH, OR, RI, UT, VT
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Erin Savage
MA, NH
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Sunami Gurung
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Approach
- Person-centered approach
- Tailored treatment plans
- Evidence-based medication management & psychotherapy
Clinical interests
- Depression & Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- OCD
- Trauma & PTSD
- ADHD
Languages
- English
- Nepali
- Hindi
Locations
- MA, NH, NY
Salma Trainor
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Approach
- Passion for supporting others
- Empathic relations is foundational
- Collaborative and inclusive
Clinical interests
- OCD
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
Languages
- English
Locations
- MA & NH
Natasa Ristivojevic
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Approach
- Wholistic approach prioritizing human connection
- Evidence-based interventions
- Judicious medication management
Clinical interests
- Psychotic disorders
- Mood disorders
- Substance use
Languages
- English
- Serbian
Locations
- MA & NH
James Quackenbush
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Approach
- Collaborative focus on goals and you
- Evidence-based planning
- Empowering you toward well-being
Clinical interests
- Depression & Anxiety
- PTSD
- Borderline
- Personality disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
Languages
- English
- French
Locations
- MA, NH, & NY
Juliana S Pires
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Approach
- Medication management
- Coping skills development
- Empathic listener, genuine, honest
Clinical interests
- Depression & Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Trauma & PTSD
- ADHD
Languages
- English
- Portuguese
Locations
- CO, CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, OH, OR, RI, UT, VT
Erin Savage
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Approach
- Compassion and empathetic listening
- Tailored treatment to goals
- Utilize cognitive behabioral therapy & coping skills development
Clinical interests
- Depression & Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- schizophrenia
- Trauma
Languages
- English
Locations
- MA, NH
Insurance, payments, costs, locations
Costs
Evaluation $300
Follow-up $180
Payment Options
Zelle/Venmo
Major Credit Cards
Why Birch Grove Mental Health?
Our team of Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners are passionate about supporting individuals affected by mental illness
Through effective and practical medication management, we see victories every day
In Person Sessions
MA & NH
You-Centered
Prioritizing your Care, Progress, and Wellbeing
Your Goals
Personalized Treatment Plans
Telehealth
Flex to your schedule and life
Your Voice Matters
Collaborative Decision Making
You Have a Life
Flexible hours and ways to connect
FAQs
Benefits of Online Psychiatric Treatment?
- Easy scheduling: Book appointments at your convenience without the need to commute.
- Support when you need it: Access professional care from the comfort of your home.
- Privacy and flexibility: Maintain confidentiality while receiving care tailored to your schedule.
How long does the appointment last?
- Initial appointments are typically 60 minutes
- Subsequent appointments are 30 minutes or more – durations vary based on need
How will I know where to start my online session?
Once we confirm your appointment date & time, the link to your session room will be forwarded via email.
What types of therapy do you offer?
We provide individual therapy for children, teens, adults, and older adults. Our approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT).
Where do you offer services?
We provide services in:
In-person & telehealth
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
Telehealth only
- Rhode Island
- Utah
- Maine
- Ohio
- Vermont
- New York
- Colorado
- Connecticut
What can Birch Grove psychiatric nurse practitioners diagnose and treat?
We provide care for a wide range of mental health concerns, including: Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), Stress management, Behavior Issues, Mood Disorders, Medication Management, Thinking Disorders, and Weight Loss.
What meds do autonomous psychiatric nurse practitioners prescribe?
Autonomous psychiatric nurses, or advanced practice psychiatric nurses (APRNs), can prescribe a variety of medications to treat mental health conditions. These include:
- Antidepressants: For depression and anxiety disorders (e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline).
- Antipsychotics: For schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (e.g., risperidone, olanzapine).
- Mood stabilizers: For bipolar disorder (e.g., lithium carbonate).
- Anxiolytics: For anxiety disorders (e.g., alprazolam, lorazepam).
- Stimulants: For ADHD (e.g., methylphenidate, amphetamine/dextroamphetamine).
These medications help manage symptoms and improve the quality of life for individuals with mental health conditions.
What are your hours of operation?
Telehealth and in-person appointments hours are
Mon-Fri, 6:30am – 6:30pm
What is the cancellation policy?
You can reschedule or cancel your appointment with at least 24 hours’ notice to avoid cancellation fees.
What should I expect from the scheduling process?
Our scheduling process involves a few simple steps:
- Contact us via the Get Started button
- Complete intake forms via our secure patient portal.
- Add payment information: To confirm your appointment, you will need to add your payment information to the portal. This information is securely stored and only accessible to you via your personal login and password.
- Submit insurance information: If applicable, we will need to verify your insurance information to ensure that we can process your payment and accept your coverage.
- Choose your provider and appointment time: Once your forms and payment are completed, you can select your preferred provider, date, and time for the appointment.
- Appointment confirmation: After all forms are filled out and payment is processed, we will confirm your appointment.
Are your providers licensed to prescribe medications?
Yes, all of our providers are fully licensed and able to prescribe both controlled and non-controlled medications as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
How can a parent or guardian schedule an appointment for a minor?
Parents or guardians can schedule appointments for their children by contacting us through the Get Started link at the top of the page. Parental consent will be required before the first session.
Anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, Bipolar, panic, thought disorders, trauma