discover the provider for your unique needs.
Our Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
Nina Abelowitz, Founder
ANP, PMHNP
Katherine "Katie" Johnson
PMHNP
about katie
Katie Johnson is a nurse practitioner who has specialized in psychiatric mental health for the past 15 years. She began her career as a nurse on the inpatient psychiatric unit at Massachusetts General Hospital where she spent eight years before moving to Cape Cod with her family. Since moving to the Cape, Katie has continued her passion for the mental health population by working in various settings including inpatient, outpatient, home health, emergency room, and crisis stabilization. Working in a variety of settings has allowed her to gain experience with patients suffering from acute and chronic psychiatric illnesses. She has particular interest in depression, anxiety, PTSD, schizophrenia, and peri/postpartum care.
Katie uses a shared-decision making approach with her clients with a focus on the therapeutic relationship. She understands that building a trusting, collaborative relationship with her clients will lead to better outcomes. She works with clients to create an individualized plan that considers their lifestyle, values and goals, along with the best evidence-based practices. She provides brief psychotherapy as well as medication management to clients aged 18+.
When not working, Katie enjoys attending different activities with her family.
insurance & rates
Blue Cross Blue Shield, Tricare, Tufts (commercial products only), Optum/United, Cigna, Harvard Pilgrim and Aetna
practice hours
Tuesdays and Thursdays 8am-4pm, remote only
Nina Abelowitz, Founder
ANP, PMHNP
About Nina
Nina Abelowitz is a nurse practitioner with over 17 years of experience in medicine. Nina has cared for patients in primary care, oncology, and psychiatry throughout Greater Boston and South Florida.
She started her career as a primary care nurse practitioner at Harvard's Health Services where she assisted patients with a wide range of health conditions, including gynecological issues, orthopedic injuries, and dermatological concerns. After six years at Harvard, a personal event guided Nina to focus on oncology, and she has spent the last several years providing empathetic care at Massachusetts General Hospital.
In an effort to provide better mental health care to her patients and to bridge the mind-body connection, she enrolled in the postgraduate program at UMass Medical School of Nursing to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner.
Nina is a published author of the book titled “Laughter is the Best Medicine”, has been featured in the Boston Globe, and is an adjunct faculty at Simmons College, where she lectures on a variety of topics.
Nina was born and raised in South Florida and has spent the last 20 years in Boston.
Experience
Nina has experience working in both inpatient and outpatient settings in both medicine and psychiatry. Nina is a polaris trained ketamine provider and has a special interest in the intersection of psychiatric-oncology after spending 5-½ years as an oncology Nurse Practitioner at Massachusetts General Hospital. Nina also sees clients for anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD and a variety of other psychiatric diagnoses.
Nina enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
Education/Certifications
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Simmons University
• Adult Nurse Practitioner Board Certification (ANP-BC)
• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, University of Massachusetts Medical School (PMHNP-BC)
• Licensed in Massachusetts and New Hampshire
Insurance & Rates
Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, United/ Mass General Brigham, Cigna, Harvard Pilgrim and Tufts commercial plans, Medicare
Cash pay rate: $375 for consult, $200 for follow ups
practice hours
Nina is not currently accepting new patients.
Katherine “Katie” Johnson
PMHNP
Marisa Fox
FNP, PMHNP
Marisa Fox,
FN, PMHNP
about marissa
Marisa is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with 8 years of experience in the field of psychiatry. After leaving advertising in 2015, Marisa moved back to Boston to pursue her passion in psychiatry and graduated with her master’s degree from MGHIHP in psychiatric mental health nursing. While in school and after graduating, Marisa worked on a psychotic disorders’ unit at Mclean Hospital where she worked with patients with a wide range of mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, schizophrenia, and trauma.
experience
As a nurse practitioner, Marisa transitioned to outpatient private practice to have the ability to foster long-term relationships with her patients. In her practice, Marisa utilizes a collaborative approach with all her patients, supporting the client’s needs and goals while providing education and individualized evidence-based treatment recommendations. She values a holistic approach to treatment addressing the biological, emotional, social, and psychological components of wellness. Marisa’s goal with every patient is to create an open, therapeutic relationship that combines therapy with thoughtful medication management. Marisa is now accepting new patients ages 8-65 via telehealth in addition to in person appointments in Concord.
insurance & rates
Blue Cross Blue Shield, Tricare, Aetna, United / Mass General Brigham, Cigna, Harvard Pilgrim and Tufts commercial plans
Cash pay rate: $375 for consult, $200 for follow ups
practice hours
Tuesdays (virtual and in person in Acton) 10am-6pm, currently accepting new patients age 7 to 65.
Available in Acton office and remote
Lisa Rullie
PMHNP
Lisa Rullie
PMHNP
about lisa
Lisa Rullie, MA, MSN, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner treating patients across the lifespan. She is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Lisa began her academic journey with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Northeastern University, followed by a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Framingham State University. She initially worked as a clinician in an outpatient substance use treatment facility before returning to Northeastern to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2015.
In addition to her clinical work, Lisa has served as a clinical instructor for Northeastern University since 2017, a role she continues to enjoy.
experience
Lisa gained valuable experience as a registered nurse on an adult inpatient psychiatric unit and went on to complete her Master of Science in Nursing at Northeastern University in 2019. Since then, Lisa has been practicing in outpatient private practice settings, providing psychiatric medication management and psychotherapy.
insurance & rates
Blue Cross Blue Shield,TriCare, Aetna, United/ Mass General Brigham, Cigna, Harvard Pilgrim and Tufts commercial plans, Medicare
Cash pay rate: $375 for consult, $200 for follow ups
practice hours
Coming soon!
Emily Drazen
FNP, PMHNP
Emily Drazen
NP, PMHNP
about emily
During Emily’s early career as a family nurse practitioner she was continually drawn to the mental health needs of her primary care patients. Inspired by this, Emily became dual board certified as both a family nurse practitioner and a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Prior to her career in medicine, Emily earned a Master’s in Education and worked as an elementary school teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area. Emily is obsessed with her scrappy rescue dog, Gus, and enjoys quiet moments walking in the woods with him. She also enjoys skiing, hiking, traveling and reading with her 3 daughters and husband.
experience
Emily Drazen is a dual certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and family nurse practitioner with thirteen years of experience. Prior to joining Three Rivers as a psychiatric nurse practitioner, Emily worked in primary care medicine for 7 years based in Hudson, MA. Emily has a particular interest in the complex interplay between mental health and physical health, especially in the context of depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, OCD and ADHD.
Education/Certifications
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Board Certification (PMHNP-BC)
Family Nurse Practitioner Board Certification (FNP-BC)
Masters in Education
insurance & rates
Blue Cross Blue Shield, TriCare, Harvard Pilgrim , Optum, Aetna, Cigna and Tufts commercial plans
$375 for consults, $200 for follow ups
practice hours
Available: Mondays and Wednesdays in Acton office or remote , Thursdays remote 8am - 2pm
Maryann Lyons
FNP, PMHNP
Maryann Lyons
FN, PMHNP
about maryann
Maryann Lyons is a highly experienced Nurse Practitioner with over 30 years in healthcare and 15 years as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Throughout her career, she has specialized in gastroenterology, head and neck surgical oncology and pediatric care; including five years at the renowned Boston Children's Hospital. Recently certified as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Maryann is excited to apply her extensive clinical expertise to the mental health field, offering comprehensive, compassionate care to patients in a new and dynamic specialty. With a broad foundation in diverse areas of healthcare, Maryann is dedicated to advancing patient care through a holistic and individualized approach.
experience
Education/Certifications
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Board Certification (PMHNP-BC)
Family Nurse Practitioner Board Certification (FNP-BC)
Licensed in Massachusetts
insurance & rates
Blue Cross Blue Shield, TriCare, Harvard Pilgrim , Optum/United Health Care, Cigna and Tufts commercial plans, Medicare
$375 for consults, $200 for follow ups
practice hours
Available: Tuesday evening, Thursdays remote and in person , Fridays Sees children and adults 7+
Lauren Collier
DNP, PMHNP-BC, PMH-C
Lauren Collier,
DNP, PMHNP-BC, PMH-C
about lauren
Lauren earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Simmons University in 2008, beginning her career at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where she contributed to a pilot study on restraint reduction. She later joined Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital’s Stroke/Neurology Unit, where she developed a strong interest in caregiver fatigue and well-being.
Although she valued her time on medical units, Lauren was drawn to psychiatry by a deep interest in people’s stories and life journeys. She completed her Master of Science in Nursing at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in 2012, specializing in adult psychiatric–mental health, and went on to earn her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Massachusetts Boston, advancing her clinical and leadership expertise.
Her graduate training included clinical placements at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Urgent Care Psychiatry Clinic and the Domiciliary Care Program for homeless veterans at Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford, MA.
Since then, Lauren’s professional experience has spanned inpatient psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, private behavioral health practice, geri-psychiatric consultation, and academic roles as a clinical instructor and educator for both undergraduate and graduate nursing students.
From 2015 to 2025, Lauren served at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Plymouth in the outpatient behavioral health integrated care program, where she was named Clinical Director in 2023. Her clinical specialties include post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and perinatal/reproductive psychiatry.
A significant focus of Lauren’s practice is supporting women across the reproductive lifespan, with a particular emphasis on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). As a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Provider (PMH-C), she provides compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals navigating pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, and reproductive challenges. Lauren is deeply committed to promoting mental wellness for mothers and families through collaborative, person-centered care.
Lauren is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, a Certified Dementia Practitioner, and a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Provider. She lives on the South Shore with her husband, two children, and their dog.
insurance & rates
Blue Cross Blue Shield,TriCare, Aetna, United/ Mass General Brigham, Cigna, Harvard Pilgrim and Tufts commercial plans, Medicare
Cash pay rate: $375 for consult, $200 for follow ups
Our Psychotherapists
Emily Petters
LICSW, Clinical Director
Emily Peters
LICSW, Clinical Director
about emily
Emily is a Licensed Independent Certified Social Worker with ten years experience in the mental health field. Emily has worked with all age groups with wide a range of mental health and substance abuse concerns. Emily has spent the last eight years working in an emergency room, specializing in crisis intervention and level of care assessment for all ages. Emily is now switching gears to work in an outpatient setting with adolescents and young adults.
experience
Emily’s clinical interests are in the treatment of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders, and substance abuse. She utilizes concepts from mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy to assist with soothing and alleviating emotional dysregulation and anxiety. When not working, Emily enjoys reading, watching movies, and exercise. Emily hopes to provide clients with the tools and skills to enjoy a healthy, fun, and peaceful life.
Education/Certifications
Masters in Social Work, Simmons College
insurance & rates
Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, United/Optum, Harvard Pilgrim and Tufts Commercial Plans
Cash pay rate: $150 for individual therapy
practice hours
Available: Monday - Thursday 8am-5pm, remote and Acton office
Lindsey Dempsey
LCSW
Lindsey Dempsey
LCSW
about lindsey
Lindsey is a Licensed Certified Social worker providing individual therapy for adolescents, young adults and older adults. Lindsey has more than 10 years of experience providing therapeutic services in various settings and with diverse populations including: residential, corrections, and adoption services.
experience
Lindsey has been working in an outpatient setting for the past several years with various ages. She has an extensive background working with individuals who suffer from depression, anxiety, complex trauma, mood disorders, and personality disorders.
Education/Certifications
Masters in Social Work, Boston College
insurance & rates
Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Harvard Pilgrim , United/Optum and Tufts Commercial Plans
Cash Pay Rate: $150 / session
practice hours
Monday-Thursday in person in Acton and remote
Sara Almy
LICSW
Sara Almy
LICSW
about sara
Sara is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with 16 years of experience in Social Work and Mental Health. For the past 11 years, Sara has focused her work on providing mental health support to children in the school setting, but has also worked in emergency rooms and inpatient settings, providing mental health services to those experiencing acute mental health concerns. Sara has also worked in outpatient settings with those experiencing stress, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. She hopes to support clients in a caring and empathic relationship to achieve their stated goals and build on strengths while identifying areas that may be preventing you from achieving fulfillment and peace.
experience
Sara strives to use collaborative, strength-based, person-centered therapy while remaining aware of the need to pivot approaches and reassess goal areas. Sara also sees couples for couples counseling.
Education/Certifications
Masters in Social Work, Rhode Island College, School of Social work
insurance & rates
Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Harvard Pilgrim, United/Optum and Tufts Commercial Plans
Cash pay rate: $150 for individual therapy, $200 / session for couples counseling
practice hours
Monday - Thursday evenings 5-8pm, remote only
Kristen Lucarelli
LCSW
Kristen Lucarelli
LCSW
about kristen
Kristen is a Licensed Certified Social Worker, who has worked in the field of Social Work for seventeen years. She has an extensive background working with children and adults who have experienced trauma and/or need mental health support. She has also worked in elder care.Kristen provides therapy for adolescents and adults of all ages.
experience
Kristen strives to create a caring, non judgmental relationship with her clients, where they feel seen and heard. She believes that therapy should be a collaborative process that builds on a client's strengths and personal supports to meet their goals. Kristen utilizes a variety of clinical techniques based on the individual needs of the client. She believes in a holistic, mind-body approach to healing and wellness.
Education/Certifications
Masters in Social Work, Simmons College
Clinical Certificate in the Treatment of Relational/Multi-Contextual Trauma, Simmons College
insurance & rates
Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Harvard Pilgrim, Optum/United and Tufts Commercial Plans
Cash pay rate: $150 / session
practice hours
Available: Tues/Wed/Thursday/Saturdays (AM) in person in Concord and remote
Kenna Sullivan
LICSW
Kenna Sullivan
LICSW
about kenna
Kenna Sullivan, LICSW is an Assistant Director of Field Education and Faculty Advisor at the Boston College School of Social Work. Kenna has worked for over 25 years in Psychiatric and Medical Emergency Services delivery in Emergency Rooms throughout Greater Boston.
She is also a Psychiatric Consult Emergency Services Clinician at University Counseling Services at Berklee College of Music. She has worked with the Disaster Mental Health Team at the American Red Cross and has responded to numerous aviation disasters, natural disasters and other incidents of mass trauma in both the United States and Canada.
experience
Kenna is a Psychiatric Consult Emergency Services Clinician at University Counseling Services at Berklee College of Music. She has worked with the Disaster Mental Health Team at the American Red Cross and has responded to numerous aviation disasters, natural disasters and other incidents of mass trauma in both the United States and Canada.
insurance & rates
BCBS, Anthem, Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts Commercial plans, Aetna, United/Optum
practice hours
Evenings only, remote
Anthony Piro
LICSW
Anthony Piro
LICSW
about tony
Tony earned his Master's of Social Work degree from Simmons College in Boston in 1990. He began his professional career as Social Worker in Psychiatry at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, eventually becoming the Chief Social Woker in Psychiatry. He then moved on to Emerson Hospital where he was the Director of Operations for Behavioral Health for 14 years. He has been an instructor at Harvard Medical School and at Simmons College School for Social Work and at Smith College School for Social Work. He has also been a forensic and clinical consultant.
experience
Tony is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with experience in the treatment of the full spectrum of psychiatric and substance abuse disorders and modes of therapy, including individual and couples' psychotherapy. His clinical interests are in the treatment of anxiety and affective (mood) disorders and substance use disorders.
When Tony isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, running and cycling and being outdoors (especially at the beach) as well reading and movie watching.
insurance & rates
Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, United/Optum, Harvard Pilgrim and Tufts Commercial Plans
Cash pay rate: $150 for individual therapy
practice hours
Evenings only, remote
Madeline Freeman
LICSW
Emily Peters
LICSW, Clinical Director
Madeline Freeman
LICSW
about maddie
Maddie is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with 10 years in the mental health field. She most recently came from a college counseling center, and has experience as a private practice therapist for young adults (individual, couples, and groups), an in-home social worker for elders, and has trained in a high school setting and in a substance use clinic for people experiencing homelessness. Maddie has extensive training in group therapy, which she believes is a powerful (and fun!) way to feel connected, seen, and less alone. Maddie's therapy style has been described as warm, empathic, attuned, and playful. Outside of work, she can be found spending time in a cozy café or restaurant, doing yoga, seeing a musical, or performing in a musical.
Maddie’s approach to therapy is integrative and individualized, rooted in Psychodynamic and Relational approaches, while drawing on other modalities, including tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), trauma-informed therapy, and mindfulness techniques. She identifies as an ally to the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disability communities, and values working across the spectrums of gender, race, sexuality, and class.
Maddie offers treatment for anxiety, depression, relationships, trauma and PTSD, grief and loss, stress, major life transitions and self-esteem.
Education/Certifications
Masters in Social Work, Smith College School for Social Work
insurance & rates
Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United/Optum, Harvard Pilgrim and Tufts Commercial Plans
Cash pay rate: $150 for individual therapy
practice hours
In person in Acton and remote
Natalie Brandes, MS
Pre-Licensed Clinician
Natalie Brandes, MS
Pre-Licensed Clinician
about natalie
Natalie holds a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is a Certified Parent Coach. Her clinical work is informed by an integrative approach tailored to the unique needs of each client. She draws from evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Her work with clients often involves identifying and challenging irrational beliefs, practicing radical acceptance, and implementing behavioral activation techniques. Natalie’s approach focuses on both practical skills and deeper emotional work, helping clients develop greater insight, emotional regulation, and self-compassion.
Natalie has a special interest in the areas of developmental trauma, attachment, and family issues. She offers a steady, compassionate presence that helps client’s feel safe, seen, and supported. She firmly believes in the power of the therapeutic relationship as a path towards growth and healing.
experience
Natalie brings experience in both individual and group therapy, with a recent focus on community behavioral health. In her role as an outpatient clinician, she worked with adult and adolescent clients presenting with a range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, substance use disorders, codependency, and disabilities.
In addition to her clinical training, Natalie draws on a breadth of lived experience that informs her therapeutic approach. Her background includes navigating the complexities of parenting neurodivergent children, crisis intervention, adolescent treatment programs, international adoption, divorce, and co-parenting. This perspective enhances her capacity for empathy and supports a grounded, collaborative presence in her work with clients.
insurance & rates
Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United/Optum, Harvard Pilgrim and Tufts Commercial Plans
Cash pay rate: $150 for individual therapy
Available Tues/ Wed/ Thurs 10-3 remote and in Acton
L
NP, PMHNP
Samantha Shorrock
Pre-Licensed Clinician
Samantha (Sam)
Pre-Licensed Clinician
about samantha
Samantha is a mental health counselor currently pursuing her LMHC. She earned her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grand Canyon University and has worked in the field for approximately 2.5 years. Sam is passionate about supporting individuals of all ages and backgrounds, and values the opportunity to truly get to know her clients and understand their personal goals.
Sam's therapeutic approach is grounded in evidence-based practices, primarily Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). She uses a conversational, collaborative style and strives to create a space where clients feel safe to express themselves authentically. Her goal is to empower each person to connect with their strengths, navigate challenges, and feel more aligned with who they are as unique individuals.
education/certifications
Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Grand Canyon University
insurance & rates
Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, Harvard Pilgrim, United/Optum and Tufts Commercial Plans
Cash pay rate: $150 / session
practice hours
Monday-Friday in person in Acton and remote
Our Office Staff
Lindsey Moireira
Office Manager
Lindsey Moireira
LICSW, Office Manager
about lindsey
Lindsey is a dedicated nurse and experienced office manager who brings compassion and organizational expertise to her work. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and two sons, going on walks and traveling to explore new destinations.
Lindsey helps our office with a variety of tasks including but certainly not limited to medication issues, triage, prior authorizations and much more!
