Meet Angela
I am a graduate of the University of Washington's Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and I am board-certified as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. My development as a competent and compassionate practitioner has been a lifelong pursuit. I first began studying mental health in 1990 while pursuing a BA in psychology. I worked as a massage therapist for fifteen years; during this time, I developed a keen awareness of the mind-body connection and spent years listening to people sharing their physical and emotional discomfort. I possess a strong background in holistic health and wellness, having studied natural and complementary medicine, and even became attuned to Reiki II. I returned to formal education to pursue nursing; from the beginning, I knew I wanted to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner so I could share everything I have learned about emotional healing. I endorse an integrational approach to mental health that often includes not only psychopharmacology, but also recommendations for supplements and praxis outside of the time spent in session.
My Story
As an orthopedic and psychiatric hospital nurse, I cared for many chronically intoxicated patients and supported survivors of trauma; it was impossible not to notice the overlap between those two groups. I am passionate about reversing the stigma associated with substance use, new advancements in treating patients coping with depression and/or PTSD and their sequelae (such as SUD or BPD), and advocating for an end to “the war on drugs,” which is a war waged on people who are already suffering. Since completing my doctoral degree in psychiatric nursing practice, I have also completed a certificate in palliative care from UW because serious mental illness is a chronic lifespan condition. For the last few years, I have served in community mental health, working with underserved populations, including people coping with severe chronic mental illness. I have been slowly working on a book to support those surviving depression and trauma, and I’m developing a patient resource website.
We are on the cusp of emerging frontiers in psychiatry, and I am excited to continue implementing the best evidence-based treatments for my patients. As a DNP, I follow nursing evidence and work to implement it effectively. That means an ongoing assessment of healthcare systems and contributing structures. Because my strengths lie in organization, communication, writing, public speaking, and leadership, I try to use my professional and social capital to address disparities that affect patient care. On a systemic level, I hope to address how disenfranchisement generates and reinforces conditions that impact mental health, such as trauma and its aftermaths (e.g., PTSD, SUD, homelessness, disenfranchisement, criminality and incarceration, and depression/anxiety). This means policy advocacy and a willingness to be involved in influencing both the voting public and legislative bodies on issues that pertain to scientific and medical literacy and how they manifest in our legal system.
Sharing knowledge and teaching are things that have been important to me throughout my career; I wouldn’t be where I am if others had not taken time to support my education. In turn, I work to advance the profession of psychiatric nursing by supporting the next generation of practitioners as a preceptor and educator for DNP students and postgraduate residents. In 2024, I was awarded "Preceptor of the Year" by the Association of Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioners (AAPPN). I also contribute to research, advocacy, and continuing medical education with resources and training to support providers and nurses working in behavioral health and across the spectrum of nursing specialties.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our three dogs, and exploring all the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
