PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES by Illuminate NP Psychiatry, LLC
Amy Kotarski, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Kristin McKenzie, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Kristin McKenzie, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Dr. Amy Kotarski is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, with training and experience treating children, adolescents, and adults with psychiatric disorders across the lifespan. Before completing her doctorate program, Dr. Amy worked as a Registered Nurse on an inpatient psychiatric unit for several years. She helped stabilize and care for patients experiencing mental health crises. She graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a doctorate degree and worked at an accredited Office of Mental Health clinic for several years before opening Illuminate NP Psychiatry. She has experience prescribing and managing medications while providing psychosocial support for clients and their families. It is her goal to develop a personalized treatment plan specific to the needs of each individual patient. Dr. Amy practices a compassionate philosophy of trauma-informed, holistic and scientific care for mind and body, and a steadfast commitment to comprehensive care.
Kristin McKenzie, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Kristin McKenzie, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Kristin McKenzie, DNP, PMHNP-BC
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Dr. Kristin McKenzie is a Board Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner as a DNP with over 10 years of experience providing psychiatry to children and adults in an accredited Office of Mental Health clinic. She graduated with her doctorate from the University at Buffalo with prior experience working as a nurse on the intensive treatment unit at a psychiatric hospital for children. She has experience treating several different psychiatric disorders. She provides trauma-informed care to clients throughout the lifespan, including medication management evaluations for children over the age of 3 that are diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder or have a history of trauma. Dr. McKenzie provides a safe place for patients to learn more about their mental health and explore both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment options. She uses a holistic approach to provide psychiatric assessment, medication management, and brief psychotherapy to help patients manage mental health symptoms.
Chandni Chaudhry, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Kristin McKenzie, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Chandni Chaudhry, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Chandni Chaudhry is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who has experience in neuro-psychiatric care, including mood disorders, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and eating disorders, in addition to hallucinations, paranoia and aggression in post-stroke and memory disorder dementia patients. Prior to completing her Master’s degree in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, she practiced as a triage registered nurse, providing acute care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Western New York.
Born and raised in India, she comes with a rich, intrinsic understanding of cultural nuances, coupled with fluency in Hindi, Punjabi, and English. Her innate cultural sensitivity allows her to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Her expertise extends to women's health issues, recognizing their direct correlation to mental health disorders. Chandni adopts a patient-centered approach, combining clinical expertise with compassionate care to deliver effective, individualized treatment.
Psychiatric Services
Psychiatry/Medication Management
Medication management begins with an Initial Psychiatric Assessment in which your provider will discuss how medication may or may not be a helpful part of your mental health journey. Your provider will assess and create an individualized treatment plan for you. The need and frequency of appointments for medication management will be continually assessed throughout your treatment.
Please note, we do not specialize in ADHD evaluations for adults.
Telepsychiatry
Telemedicine is the process of providing health care from a distance through technology, often using videoconferencing. The American Psychiatric Association (APA), defines telepsychiatry as a subset of telemedicine, which can involve providing a range of services including psychiatric evaluations, counseling, client education and medication management.
Telepsychiatry can improve access to mental health care, allow one to receive mental health care in the privacy of their own home, improve continuity of care and follow-up, reduce the need for time off work and childcare services, and reduce possible transportation barriers
Genetic Testing
GeneSight is a pharmacogenomic test that analyzes clinically important genetic variations that may affect your response to medications. The results of the test can provide us with information about which medications may be more likely to work for you. It can also identify medications that may require dose adjustments or have an increased risk of side effects based on your genetic makeup.
Many commercial and government insurance plans reimbursed for all or part of the cost of the GeneSight test. For clients with commercial insurance, there is also an opportunity to apply for the GeneSight Financial Assistance Program.
You can learn more about the cost of the GeneSight test, the Genesight Financial Assistance Program, and the GeneSight Interest Free Payment plan at www.genesight.com/cost.
Medical Marijuana
New York State Medical Marijuana Program
New York State has approved the use of Medical Marijuana in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Prior to being treated with medical marijuana, the provider will review past treatments as well as complete a thorough assessment to determine if the client is likely to receive therapeutic benefit from medical marijuana, in the treatment of PTSD.
Benefits of medical marijuana may help in reducing anxiety rather then relying on addictive medications such as Xanax or Valium.
*Medical Marijuana is not recommended for clients with PTSD under 18 years of age.
