Firefly Collaborative Mental Health
Inclusive psychiatric care for children, adolescents, and adults in Richmond, VA and greater Virginia.
About
Hi! I'm glad you're here. I'm Margaret (she/her), the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, founder, and sole practitioner of Firefly Collaborative Mental Health. My mission is to provide compassionate and supportive psychiatric care to historically underserved and marginalized populations, including children and adolescents, autistic and neurodivergent folks, and the LGBTQIA community. I have particular passions in treating eating disorders, perinatal mental health, and first responder mental health. Beyond these patient populations, I treat individuals across the lifespan with a wide variety of mental health concerns.
Conditions Treated
Depressive disorders Bipolar spectrum disorders Anxiety disorders Obsessive-compulsive and related Trauma and other stressor-related Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Adjustment disorders Autism spectrum and neurodivergent mental health Eating disorders (in conjunction with a PCP and dietitian) Thought and perception disorders (schizophrenia and related)
About Margaret
I have worked as a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) since 2017. Prior to that, I spent five years as a psychiatric nurse. I earned both her Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University, where I am adjunct faculty for the PMHNP program. Over the past decade and beyond, I have cared for a diverse patient population with a variety of psychiatric disorders, including mood disorders, psychotic illnesses, anxiety disorders, OCD, PTSD, substance use disorders, eating disorders, and others. I have cared for individuals across the lifespan, with a particular emphasis on children and adolescents. As an NP, I have worked in many settings, including acute inpatient settings for children and adults, consult liaison service, residential programs, partial hospitalization programs for adolescents and adults with a focus on eating disorders, intensive outpatient programs for eating disorder and substance use treatment, long-term care, corrections, as well as general outpatient. My treatment approach is to establish the core diagnosis through comprehensive evaluation, rather than opting for "band-aid" medications for nonspecific symptoms. Much of my work in the psychiatric field over the years has focused on de-prescribing, the art and science of evaluating a medication regimen with the goal of carefully evaluating which medications are truly necessary and should be optimized, and which may be unnecessary, unsafe, or excessive. I have a conservative and evidence-based approach to prescribing, avoiding medications with significant side effect burden that are too often overused without a serious consideration for possible adverse outcomes. Safety is always at the forefront of my clinical judgment. My philosophy is that medications do not make problems go away, but they can be a helpful tool that can empower you to proactively and effectively cope with the stressors and challenges life relentless throws our way. Other facts about me beyond my passion for mental health: I was born and raised in Cambridge, MA. I earned my first Bachelor's degree in French and Francophone Studies from a small women's college in Oakland, CA. I have studied abroad in France on three occasions. I have three daughters, all homebirths, and I'm married to a Richmond firefighter. My non-psychiatric interests include reading, hiking, my pet cockatiel who sings La Cucaracha, social justice advocacy, prehistoric early hominids, and entry-level astrophysics.
Insurance Accepted
Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield Virginia Aetna Cigna United Optum United Health/Optum Medicaid More to come! Please contact us for self-pay rates if you choose to bypass insurance. Sliding scale services may be available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a good fit for Firefly Collaborative Mental Health?
Our practice can acommodate most patients and most conditions, but as a solo-provider practice that does not provide 24/7 crisis support, individuals with more acute mental health needs, including those with recurrent or recent suicide attempts, rapid-cycling bipolar, or active substance use are better served a larger practice with 24/7 call. We can provide referrals for local practices that may better meet your needs.
How do I become a patient?
Fill in the appointment request form below, call or text (804) 348-1708, or email [email protected] and we will go from there!
Do you provide 24/7 crisis support?
We do not provide 24/7 crisis management. As a solo-provider practice, we are not able to offer 24/7 call, nor are we able to respond to messages immediately. For this reason, individuals with more acute mental health conditions are better served by a larger practice with 24/7 call. In the event of an urgent psychiatric crisis for existing patients, you must call 988 (suicide hotline), 911, or go to the nearest emergency room or urgent care center for immediate evaluation.
What medications do you prescribe?
With a focus on safety, efficacy, and tolerability, we can prescribe antidepressants, anxiolytics, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, ADHD medications, and sedative-hypnotics. We abide by all FDA and DEA regulations in prescribing. If controlled substances are indicated, we have a Controlled Substance Agreement that outlines our precuations and requirements for the safe and appropriate use of these medications.
Do you take insurance?
Yes! We believe strongly in making mental healthcare accessible to all. For this reason, we are in-network with several insurers at this time and are in the process of credentialing with others, including Medicaid and Medicare. Please refer to our insurance and financial section of our website for further information and updates.
Do you do telehealth or in-person care?
Both! We see patients at our office in Richmond's West End as well as over telehealth for anyone living in the state of Virginia. We use a HIPAA-compliant, secure platform. Please note that you must be physically present in Virginia at the time of your appointment to be in compliance with regulations.
What is a nurse practitioner?
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are advanced-practice nurses who start out as registered nurses and go on to pursue education at the Master's or Doctoral level. NPs must pass board exams prior to being certified as an NP. NPs are trained to evaluate, assess, diagnose, prescribe medications, perform certain procedures, order and interpret bloodwork, and far more. Some NPs require physician supervision, while others practice autonomously. Margaret practices autonomously, but still values the expertise and wisdom of psychiatrists and other physicians, never hesitating to seek consultation when needed. One of the advantages of NP care is that as nurses first, we have spent up to 12 hours at a time caring for patients on the unit, developing rapport with a wide variety of patients, and managing and de-escalating acute situations. As nurses, our priority is to advocate for our patients, when all too often no one else does. For Margaret, her RN experience of caring for children and adult patients for 8 to 12 hours at a time for years has been invaluable to her work as an NP. This experience helped her to develop rapport, empathy, and the ability to deescalate patients with acute psychosis, mania, and aggression. This RN experience has greatly influenced Margaret's strengths and approach to patient care as an NP.
Do you have a supervising physician?
Margaret has obtained autonomous practice and does not require physician oversight. While she practices autonomously, Margaret strongly values collaboration, and feels that optimal care is delivered when the entire healthcare team collaborates, including a veritable alphabet soup; NPs, MDs, DOs, PAs, RNs, RDs, PT, OT, and more. All healthcare bring to the table a unique perspective and play an essential role in patient care.
Why the name Firefly Collaborative Mental Health?
Fireflies represent a light in the darkness and a sense of wonder and joy even in the darkest of times. Collaborative because collaboration with each patient is the heart of our approach. We develop treatment plans collaboratively and center your voice and your personal goals and priorities during our work together. Treatments are made collaboratively after carefully reviewing the risks and benefits of different treatment options. Questions and curiosity are encouraged, and decisions are never made unilaterally.
Firefly Collaborative Mental Health
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