Fikreta “Fi” Cefo, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) grew up taking care of her grandmother and admiring the compassionate support from healthcare professionals. 

The experience left a profound impression of Fi and inspired her to pursue a career in helping others. 

Fi worked as a nurse practitioner in various community health settings before deciding to advance her degree and become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. 

“I’ve always gotten great joy out of helping others and making a positive impact on people’s lives, especially when they’re at their most vulnerable,” says Fi.

Since working in the psychiatric field, Fi has advanced her skills in assessing, diagnosing, and offering evidence-based interventions to safely support clients with their mental health and wellbeing. 

Like many of our trained Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners at HBH, Fi embraces a holistic and person-centered approach to psychiatry and medication management.

Many of the techniques she offers, in addition to psychiatry and medication management, embrace a holistic model of care. Fi might offer techniques related to mindfulness, nutrition, and physical exercise.

We sat down with Fi to learn more about her background in the field and approach to providing psychiatric mental health treatment to individuals.

To start working with one of our trained Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners in-person from our offices in Franklin, Amherst, West Springfield, Wilbraham, or Natick, or online in Massachusetts, call us today at (413) 343-4357!

What inspired you to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner?

My passion for helping others started when I was a child. I took care of my grandmother while she was sick, and most important of all I simply spent time with her. 

It felt like I’d found my true calling to provide compassionate care and emotional support to others. 

My career started in nursing, where I worked in various community health settings. I worked with many people struggling with their mental health, and saw how often it resulted in “quick fixes” by healthcare professionals to administer medications. Knowing that many factors affect a person’s psychological and physical well-being, I wanted to practice a holistic approach to healthcare. 

I earned my advanced degree from Regis College and spent the next 9 years working in the psychic field, as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. 

I’ve worked with people struggling with a wide-range of mental health conditions, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma, depression, psychotic disorders, and substance use disorders.

What does your approach to psychiatric treatment involve?

As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, I provide compassionate and comprehensive psychiatric mental health care for individuals struggling with various mental health conditions. 

When caring for individuals, my role involves carrying out mental health assessments; diagnosing psychiatric mental health conditions; educating clients and their families; prescribing a treatment plan, including medications, and offering evidence-based interventions to promote health and wellbeing. 

My approach is holistic and person-centered. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment, and I’m always attuned to the client’s overall wellbeing, emotional state, and environmental factors when creating a health plan. 

I’ll utilize cognitive-behavioral therapy (CTB) to help clients examine their thoughts, and apply behavioral strategies to alter negative thoughts and emotions. I’ll also integrate mindfulness-based interventions in my practice to help clients ground into the present moment, resulting in more compassionate and authentic thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. 

In addition to prescribing medications, providing psychotherapy, and offering behavioral interventions, I’m actively involved in health education. I’ll educate clients about medication management, physical exercise, health and nutrition, and mindfulness practices so that they’re actively involved and informed throughout their health journey.

What mental health conditions do you treat?

I’ll assess, diagnose, and offer evidence-based interventions to individuals struggling with:

• Anxiety/Panic/Phobias
• Bipolar Disorder
• Depression
• LGBTQIA+ Issues
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• PTSD/Acute Stress
• Trauma

What is your favorite part about being a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner?

My favorite part about being a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is making a positive impact on people’s lives and providing the mental health support they need to live fulfilling and empowered lives.

Start working with a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in Massachusetts today:

If you’re looking for a clinician in Massachusetts who offers a holistic approach to psychiatric treatment, our team of trained Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners are here to support you!

Please contact us today at (413) 343-4357 to schedule an appointment!

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