Find your balance & regain your peace
Compassionate and professional mental health support tailored to your unique journey. Balanced Behavioral Health is here to guide you toward healing and resilience.
(PERSONALIZED TREATMENT)
Mental Health Care
We specialize in evidence-based treatments designed to help you regain control of your mental well-being.
Your unique health factors help me pinpoint wellness needs into actionable treatment plans.
(ABOUT ME)
Empowering you through expertise & compassion
My career in health care started at age 18 as a nurse assistant for a long-term care facility in Arkansas. Over the years, I’ve had multiple positions as a CNA in acute, medical-surgical, pediatric, and geriatric care settings. Following a brief hiatus from patient care, I worked in medical billing and reimbursement. After a decade of working with or perhaps against (?) insurance companies, I returned to college to get my bachelor's of science from the University of Alaska. While working for the State of Alaska as a registered nurse, I attended graduate school, earning my master's degree in nursing from Frontier Nursing University in Hyden, Kentucky. Today, I’m an ANCC board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner. I opened Balanced Behavioral Health LLC on May 23, 2023, to offer a more collaborative approach to mental health care. I have witnessed the frustration and distrust of “the system” and I work very hard to make your experience personalized so you feel heard.
(WE ACCEPT INSURANCE FROM)
Evidence-Based Treatments
(WHAT I DO)
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Psychiatric evaluations
A psychiatric evaluation is comprehensive interview including family, social, and medical history. We discuss current symptoms and treatment options, then develop an individualized plan unique to you.
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Mental health screenings
Mental health screenings are specific questions used to identify potential mental health concerns.
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Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is a type of therapy that challenges negative thoughts and emotions. It helps clients recognize cognitive distortions and maladaptive coping behaviors. Throughout therapy, the client will learn new problem-solving skills, relaxation techniques, and social skills.
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Medication education and management
Medication education is important. Everyone should have a simple understanding of what their medications are doing and what to look out for. Medication management appointments are not only for refills. It’s your time to ask questions about the medications, side effects, and other non-medication options available to you.
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Telehealth medication management
After your initial intake, you may choose to use telehealth for your appointments. Medication education and management are offered via AthenaHealth. This requires a good internet connection with both audio and video capabilities. This is a good option for clients living outside of Anchorage.
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Long-acting injectable administration
LAIs are an option for clients with serious mental illnesses who are stable on oral medications. These injections help with medication adherence by decreasing the need to take a pill every day.
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Spravato
Spravato is used for clients with treatment-resistant depression who are not responding well to oral medications. Spravato is a nasal spray that is administered in the office under close monitoring by the provider. It is covered by many insurance plans but requires insurance authorization.
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Sublocade
Sublocade (buprenorphine extended-release) is a once-a-month injection for clients with opioid use disorder currently being treated with oral buprenorphine.
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Narcan distributor
Narcan is available at our office, free of charge. Please ask for an overdose rescue kit if you or someone you know uses opioid medications.
*These kits are NOT effective for Xylazine “tranq” overdose.
(FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)
Your answers to popular questions
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I work with ages six and up.
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Yes, telehealth is available on a case-by-case basis.
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I do not offer couples therapy or groups, but I can refer you to specialists upon request.
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The first appointment, the intake, is 90 minutes. After the intake, medication management is 30-60 minutes depending on complexity. Some clients request cognitive behavioral therapy with medication management. This requires a 30-minute medication management visit and a separate 60-minute appointment for therapy. These can be completed on the same day and include telehealth visits.
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Yes, with a few exceptions. If you make a credible threat towards yourself, or someone else, or you are unable to meet your basic needs (food, shelter, safety) due to mental illness. In this case, I will work with you and your family for a voluntary commitment to a hospital for stabilization.
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Yes, I won’t turn away anyone simply for using cannabis or any substances. However, I will provide education on how smoking any plant (marijuana or tobacco) impacts the effectiveness of your medications. What you do with that information is up to you.
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I tell all of my patients that there are times when medications are necessary. I will recommend medications when appropriate, but whether you take medications is up to you.
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Yes, I can treat substance use disorder. Each treatment plan is unique and often requires an exam with lab work, an ECG, or medical clearance from your primary care provider in some circumstances.
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BBH offers Spravato (esketamine) to patients who have had two documented, failed trials of an SSRI and have treatment-resistant depression or suicidal thoughts. Spravato treatment requires prior authorizations from your insurance plan and coordination with a specialty pharmacy. It cannot be done as a same-day service and requires a time commitment of two hours for each dose.
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There is a sliding fee scale for those who meet certain income criteria. Please call for further information.
Personalized Mental Health Care for Your Unique Needs
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Personalized Mental Health Care for Your Unique Needs
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Personalized Mental Health Care for Your Unique Needs
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Personalized Mental Health Care for Your Unique Needs • Personalized Mental Health Care for Your Unique Needs • Personalized Mental Health Care for Your Unique Needs •
Address
615 E 82nd Ave Suite 103 Anchorage AK 99518
(New Address Soon!)
Office
907-215-5291
Fax
907-921-5109