Firefly Collaborative Mental Health
Inclusive psychiatric care for children, adolescents, and adults in Richmond and greater Virginia.
Welcome!
Hi! I'm glad you're here. I'm Margaret (she/her), the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner behind Firefly Collaborative Mental Health. My mission is to provide compassionate and supportive psychiatric care to historically underserved, marginalized, and misunderstood, populations. I specialize in caring for autistic and other neurodivergent folks, the LGBTQIA population, and child and adolescent psychiatry. I started this practice to provide mental health care the way I believe it should be: personal, accessible, less rushed, never corporate or cookie-cutter. Many of my patients have had negative experiences with psychiatric care, feeling dismissed, unheard, or invalidated. My promise is to listen to you, believe you, respect your lived experience, and center your values, priorities, and treatment goals at each visit.
What I do:
Trauma-informed care for the neurodivergent and queer/genderqueer community Pediatric and adolescent care Psychiatric medication management Supportive psychotherapy with a DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy) bent Treatment of common psychiatric conditions including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, attentional disorders, trauma and related disorders, and symptoms associated with autism and other neurodivergent conditions
Consultation:
Please note that an initial consultation is required before becoming a patient to ensure I can meet your needs. I do not provide after-hours or crisis support and may not be a fit for those requiring more intensive care and support outside of scheduled visits. I also prescribe controlled substances conservatively, with limits on type, dose, and quantity. To schedule a consultation, please complete the prospective patient form below, call or text (804) 348-1708, or email [email protected].
Reclaiming Psychiatry
In a world where mistrust of psychiatry is both understandable and widespread, my goal is to create a safe, affirming space where marginalized individuals can be vulnerable and seek support. I view this work as an act of social justice—reclaiming mental health care as a source of empowerment for those long made to feel unwelcome or unsafe within it.
That mistrust is well-earned. The mental health system has a long and painful history of abuse, discrimination, and marginalization. Individuals with serious mental illness were—and in some contexts still are—locked away, criminalized, and denied basic dignity. Entire communities have been pathologized rather than supported: queer people, women, neurodivergent individuals, and people of color. Homosexuality was listed as a disorder in the DSM for decades. Women were diagnosed with “hysteria” for expressing emotion. People of color have been overdiagnosed with schizophrenia, disproportionately institutionalized, and subjected to inhumane treatment while psychiatry upheld Eurocentric norms.
It is time to reclaim psychiatry as a tool for healing, empowerment, and social justice.
About me:
I have worked as a psychiatric nurse practitioner (PMHNP) since 2017 and prior to that a psychiatric RN since 2012. I earned both my degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University, where I currently serve as adjunct faculty in the PMHNP program. Over the years, I’ve worked in a wide range of clinical settings, including acute inpatient, outpatient, PHP/IOP, substance use treatment, long-term care, corrections, and eating disorder programs. I care deeply about delivering thoughtful, evidence-based care to a diverse patient population—and about training the next generation of nurse practitioners to do the same. I’m proud to be a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and I strive to uphold the caliber and integrity of this profession. Mental health care is much more than just a career for me - it's a passion I hold deeply. Originally from Cambridge, Massachusetts, I earned my first Bachelor's at Mills College in Oakland, CA, with a major in French and Francophone studies and a minor in psychology. degree, where I was also inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. I have lived in intentional communities before, which is what originally brought me down to Virginia nearly 20 years ago, though I am very much a Yankee at heart. I have three daughters, each birthed at home, a passion for audiobooks, and a love of the outdoors. I am married to a firefighter and have a pet cockatiel who sings La Cucaracha.
Insurance:
Cigna Anthem BCBS Aetna United Optum Oscar Oxford Sentara Health Plus (coming soon)
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a good fit for Firefly Collaborative Mental Health?
Most likely! However, as a solo-practitioner, I do not provide 24/7 call, so individuals with frequent mental health crises or more acute psychiatric needs (frequent hospitalizations, recurrent suicide attempts, untreated bipolar) are better served by a larger practice that provides 24/7 call and more support infrastructure in place.
Do you provide 24/7 crisis support?
No. I strive to respond to all patient communication quickly and be as available as possible, but I am not often available for immediate psychiatric emergencies. For this reason, if your mental health needs are more acute, you will be better served by a larger practice with more support infrastructure in place and 24/7 call.
What medications do you prescribe?
With a focus on safety, efficacy, and tolerability, I can prescribe antidepressants, anxiolytics, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, ADHD medications, and sedative-hypnotics. I abide by all FDA and DEA regulations in prescribing. If controlled substances are indicated, we have a Controlled Substance Agreement that outlines our precautions and requirements for the safe and appropriate use of these medications.
Do you take insurance?
Absolutely. Mental health care must be accesible to all. I am currently in-network with Aetna, Cigna, Anthem BCBS, United, Oxford, Optum, Oscar, Setara (in process) and others down the road.
Do you do telehealth or in-person care?
Both! I feel strongly about the value of in-person care to foster a more authentic connection and rapport, especially when working with children and adolescents. My office is located in Richmond's West End in the Balance RVA Wellness-Based Coworking Space. I do provide telehealth as well, which plays an important role of making mental healthcare more accessible for individuals who cannot access in-person care.
What is a nurse practitioner?
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are advanced-practice nurses who begin as registered nurses and pursue education at the Master's or Doctoral level. After passing board exams, NPs are trained to evaluate, diagnose, prescribe medications, perform procedures, and interpret bloodwork, among other tasks. While some NPs require physician supervision, I practice autonomously but deeply value the expertise of psychiatrists and other physicians, seeking consultation when needed.
One advantage of NP care is that, as nurses first, we often spend up to 12 hours caring for patients, developing rapport, and managing acute situations. As a nurse, my priority was always to advocate for patients, since oftentimes, we are the only ones doing so. My years as an RN have been invaluable to my work as an NP. This experience has helped me build empathy and develop skills to de-escalate patients with acute psychosis, mania, and aggression, deeply shaping my approach to patient care.
Do you have a supervising physician?
I have autonomous practice, meaning I have practiced long enough to no longer require physician supervision. However, that does not mean I have ceased seeking supervision and collaboration from physicians. The best patient care results from collaboration among healthcare providers of every stripe (and abbreviation) - NP, MD, DO, PA, RN, RD, OT, PT. We all bring something unique to the table, and collaboration is at the heart of caring for patients.
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.
Contact:
Phone/Text: 804-348-1708 Fax: 804-606-6915 [email protected] 10431 Patterson Ave, Richmond VAProspective Patient Form
