Kayla is a DNP prepared Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) who performs diagnostic psychiatric evaluations and follow ups to provide psychiatric medication management as well as ketamine assisted psychotherapy. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Sacramento State and then attended Dominican University of California to earn a second bachelor’s degree in nursing to be able to work as a psychiatric nurse.
While working as an RN, Kayla found herself with a desire to be involved in more in-depth care with her clients and decided to go back to school to earn her master’s degree at UCSF to become a PMHNP. After starting as a nurse practitioner, Kayla was accepted into OHSU where she earned her DNP with a research project focus on bringing psychedelic assisted therapies to veterans with PTSD. She is dedicated to learning all she can about the space of healing and has knowledge in psychiatric medications, psychedelic medicine, herbalism, functional medicine, and other psychotherapeutic modalities. Kayla believes it is important to investigate all aspects of a person when formulating a treatment plan and utilizes active listening in her practice.
She has been working in the mental health field for nearly 10 years with most of those years serving veterans with PTSD, SUDs, and homelessness in a residential treatment setting. In her spare time, Kayla enjoys visiting with her family and friends, camping, hiking, reading, and of course learning!
Co-Course Creator of INCA’s Nursing Pathways in Psychedelic Care