Our Agency
Associates for Psychiatric and Mental Health, LLC is an agency that is committed to its mission of providing ethical, high quality and transformative mental health care to the community.
Beliefs that guide the services we provide:
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That life is sometimes messy and that therapy can help us find a meaningful existence amidst the challenges we face.
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That meaningful existence can only occur when self awareness and connection is cultivated
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That getting mental health care takes courage, that we honor by striving to see and understand people.
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That curiosity without judgement opens the door to being known – both by others and ourselves.
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That the journey to mental health can only occur when we partner together while at the same time acknowledging that resistance is an informative, useful part of the process of change
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That in order to truly honor who we are, we must honor diversity in every form.
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That compassion toward ourselves is the basis for compassion toward others, manifesting in the values of equity and justice.
What we believe are strengths of our agency:
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Detailed diagnostic process
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Bearing witness to pain with support and non-judgment
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Facilitating self-awareness
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Holding the concepts of change and acceptance with equal respect
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Offering transparent and honest recommendations
Our Staff
As a team, we pride ourselves on the supportive, collaborative, and healthy culture nourished in our workplace. We strive to create an environment where we as a whole live congruently with the values and standards that we communicate to our clients.
With client permission, we additionally actively collaborate with one another regarding care to ensure services are consistent, effective, and thorough.
We are humbled by the powerful role we play, both with our colleagues as well as with our clients.
We insist on the highest ethical standards in conducting our business.
Doing the right thing and acting with integrity are the two driving forces behind what we do.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
Sheela Choppala-Nestor, PhD, PMHNP-BC, ARN (she/her)
Advanced Registered Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Ph.D in Nursing (University of Washington)
Sheela is the agency owner and administrator. She founded APMH in 2009, with the goal of creating a thoughtful and reflective place for clients and providers.
Sheela has a background both as a direct service provider and educator. She received her nurse practitioner training at Oregon Health & Science University and her doctorate in nursing from the University of Washington where her research focused on the social determinants of health/health advocacy/policy change. She served as an educator in the psychiatric nurse practitioner specialty at Washington State University where she also engaged in mental health and community health research.
She uses both therapy and medication to treat individuals age 13 and older, who are experiencing mental health challenges across the spectrum, specializing in the areas of depression, anxiety and trauma. She strives to take a partnered approach to her work with clients who, she believes, come to the encounter with strengths to be noticed, celebrated and used. Her therapy modalities and guiding frameworks are Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness, and gestalt therapy. Her goal is to truly see her client and infuse her encounters with compassion, empathy, and positive regard.
As a prescriber, she focuses on managing and/or eliminating symptoms through the least restrictive path and prefers to address underlying illness rather than symptoms alone. She is thoughtful and cautious in her use of controlled substances in order to ensure the best outcomes for clients.
Sheela was born in the US but grew up in India giving her a unique perspective on cross cultural experiences. In her free time, Sheela enjoys spending time with family and friends, and in creative pursuits with paper, yarn, cooking and design.
Jeanne Fischer- Mckee, MN, PMHNP, ARNP
Advanced Registered Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Masters of Nursing (Washington State University)
** Jeanne is currently accepting new clients seeking medication management
Each client’s lived experience and input is vital for treatment planning. Jeanne’s hope is for clients to feel empowered, as they discover increased health and wellness in partnership together. Clients may access integrative care for mood stabilization, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, stress management, insomnia, smoking cessation, and post-acute withdrawal symptoms.
Modalities used include conventional medication management, as well as attention to nutritional assessment/education and its influence on health and wellness. Jeanne has spent the last two years continuing her education and certification in integrative health for mental health. She incorporates supportive therapy, education about brain healthy foods, vital vitamins and minerals, amino acids, and adaptogenic herbs. Controlled substances are used in a limited fashion when necessary. NADA acupuncture is available as an adjunct treatment to medication management.
Jeanne provides services to individuals age 20 and older. Jeanne is board certified with the ANCC. Jeanne is a Certified Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider. Jeanne is also certified as an Acu-Detox Specialist through the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association for auricular (ear) acupuncture. Jeanne earned her ADN from Clark College, with a BSN and MN from Washington State University.
Jeanne has a background in community mental health, hospice and med/surg nursing. She received her nurse practitioner training at Washington State University and has been prescribing since 2013.
Therapists
Abigail Carey, MA, LMHC, CMHS, NCC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
National Certified Counselor
Child Mental Health Specialist
M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Gonzaga University)
**Abby is on leave indefinitely and currently not accepting new clients
Abby believes the foundation of the counseling process is maintaining a strong therapeutic relationship built on compassion for self and others. She practices an integrative approach that includes ACT, CBT, narrative therapy, client centered, and choice theory. Abby's therapeutic style includes compassionate challenges, warm authenticity, and wit.
Abby believes in empowering her clients to explore their stories in a nonjudgmental environment that supports vulnerability and encourages personal growth. As such, Abby strives to maintain an inclusive and affirming therapeutic orientation. Abby has experience working with a variety of mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship distress, trauma, family dynamics, communication and grief.
Victoria Boyd, MS, LPC, LMHC
M.S. Counseling - Western Oregon University
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor
Intensive Outpatient / Outpatient Therapist
**Victoria is currently accepting clients in WA and OR
Victoria believes in empowering people with education, insight and skills to find opportunities in life's challenges. When working with Victoria you will be invited to a collaborative space of compassion and understanding. Together you will explore values, areas for growth, barriers to progress and strategies to increase self acceptance and awareness.
Victoria's therapeutic style is inspired by ACT, DBT, existential therapy, narrative therapy and humanistic therapy. Victoria has extensive experience working with people with anxiety, trauma and neurodivergence in group and individual settings. Victoria is a ADHD-Certified Clinical Services
Provider. Victoria has dual counseling licenses in Oregon (LPC) and Washington (LMHC). Victoria was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and loves hiking, kayaking and chasing waterfalls.
Karen Suzanne McNulty, MN, ARNP
Licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse PractitionerLicensed Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
**Suzanne is currently accepting new clients! Contact the front desk for scheduling
Suzanne is committed to creating positive change one person at a time. Wholesome mind-body relationship care and evolution is the intention of her Integrated Mental Health therapy work Compassion for the joys and sorrows of the human condition shape Suzanne’s learning and teaching. Interventions to nurture flourishing are drawn from Mindful Stress Reduction, Positive Psychology(U Penn), Jungian, somatic education and Medical hypnotherapy. Limited psychopharmacology is available as need is mutually determined.
She holds Bachelors degrees from OHSU and Masters specialty from Washington State University. Continuing education in integrative health and science is consistently upgraded.
She has practiced as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in community agencies and medical clinics to provide wellness support with clarity, safety and comfort in the presence of physical and mental health challenges.
Specialty treatment populations include independent teens through older adults.
Emily Murdy, MA, CADC II (they/them)
M.A. in Co-Occurring Disorders Counseling - Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School
Oregon Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor II
Intensive Outpatient / Outpatient Therapist
Emily is passionate about treating diverse clients, with a focus on how each individual’s lived experiences make them unique. They believe that each person is their own best advocate, and apply a collaborative approach to therapy. When working with Emily, you will be treated as the expert in your own story. You will have the opportunity to explore your current skills and areas for growth, as well as to learn and develop strategies to meet your personal goals.
Emily’s therapeutic style utilizes strategies inspired by DBT, ACT, motivational interviewing, and narrative therapy. They have experience working with people with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders, particularly anxiety, depression, and trauma, in both individual and group settings. Emily has a Master’s Degree in Co-Occurring Disorders Counseling, and is currently receiving supervision through APMH while working towards Washington state licensure in mental health counseling.
Administrative Team
Marcie Audelo-Devitt
Administrative Assistant for Special Projects
Marcie works on special projects for the company and has been working in the education field for the past Thirteen years. Working at APMH has given her the flexibility to work and be with her toddler. She loves spending time with her family and enjoys exploring the beautiful outdoors.
Geeta Barr
Administrative Assistant - Clinical Support and Medical Records Clerk.
Geeta provides coverage for a range of back-office duties and support for the clinical care team and manages patient health files for the clinic.
Kelly O'Brien
Business Manager