Psychiatric Providers

Jackie Croney, Physician Assistant

I am a board-certified Physician Assistant and received my master of science in physician assistant studies at Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania. I completed my bachelor of science in health science and medical diagnostics at the University of Delaware in Newark, where I gained research experience in tobacco cessation and bedside counseling. I moved to Denver in 2020, where I spend most of my time out in the mountains hiking and skiing.

I am especially passionate about fostering a welcoming environment for all my patients, whom I aim to treat with intention. I see each patient as an individual to collaboratively find an appropriate treatment plan that best serves that patient. I offer medication management, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and genetic testing.

Location: Denver, CO

Kevin Huynh, Physician Assistant

I received my master’s degree at the University of Colorado Child Health Associate/Physician Assistant (CHA/PA) Program. I completed my bachelor of science in human biology and bachelor of arts in art history and criticism at the University of California, San Diego. Before moving to Colorado, I spent two years as an EMT and two years as a TMS technician. Working in the field of TMS, I gravitated toward psychiatry and have continued to enhance my interest and skills in the field. I gained experience in various domains during my clinical training, from outpatient pediatric ADHD management to inpatient geriatric dementia care.

I believe that although many individuals may present with similar symptoms, the causes and circumstances affecting those symptoms will vary greatly and will require unique approaches. I enjoy working with patients to find the perfect balance between physical, social, and emotional well-being. I offer medication management, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), ADHD testing, and genetic testing. I have a special interest in LGBTQ+, adult, and geriatric populations.

Location: Denver, CO

Amanda Poindexter, Physician Assistant

I am a board-certified Physician Assistant. I earned my master’s in physician assistant studies from the University of Colorado Child Health Associate/Physician Assistant (CHA/PA) Program. Prior to PA school, I was a clinical social worker in inpatient psychiatric hospital settings, residential programs for adults with intellectual disabilities, and community mental health programs that provided services to at-risk youth. I completed my bachelor of social work at Colorado State University and my master of social work at the University of Denver.

After practicing in various treatment settings as both a social worker and a PA in training, I am driven to provide quality and compassionate behavioral healthcare across patients’ lifespans. As a clinician, I strive to facilitate a collaborative therapeutic relationship through a holistic and strengths-based approach. I enjoy understanding clients within a biopsychosocial-spiritual framework to better assess everyone’s unique needs as we work together toward treatment goals. I offer medication management, genetic testing, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

Location: Denver, CO

Joanna Westerfield, Physician Assistant

My name is Joanna Westerfield and I am a certified Physician Assistant. I specialize in treating anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, depression, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). My practice is built on compassion, respect, and evidence-based approaches to psychiatric medicine. I am especially committed to working alongside each of my patients to build a holistic, whole-person treatment plan that optimizes their mental, spiritual, and physical well-being.

After graduating from The University of Pennsylvania with a degree in history and psychology, I worked in clinical research at Washington Children's Hospital. From there, I earned my master’s degree at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program. In the years since, I’ve been fortunate to care for patients of all ages and walks of life, primarily in hospital and emergency medicine.

My goal is to deliver the highest quality care to my psychiatry clients, ranging from the standard treatment protocols to newer approaches, including genetic testing, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and ketamine therapy when indicated. I’m so glad you sought out Denver Wellness Associates and I greatly look forward to meeting you.

Location: Denver, CO

AnnMarie Kropp, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner based in Denver, Colorado. I received my doctorate degree in family nursing practice from The University of Arizona in 2016. After completing my degree, I worked as a family nurse practitioner in pediatric neurology for over 4.5 years. I have always had an interest in psychiatry which prompted me to pursue my postgraduate certificate in psychiatric mental health. I gained most of my psychiatric experience during my clinical rotations. I have experience treating clients with anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder.

My goal is to provide patient centered evidence-based care. I believe in collaborating with my clients to develop a plan together that they feel comfortable with. I believe in providing education, resources, and alternative options that may facilitate treatment.

Location: Denver, CO

Nathanael Lacaria, Family Nurse Practitioner

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner with 3 years of expansive psychiatric experience. I love working with patients of all age ranges and all walks of life. I especially love working with older teens, 20’s, and 30’s patients who are working through life transitions. For fifteen years, I’ve mentored teens and young adults in developing their identity, navigating career choices, and embracing their life's calling. I believe that every person has intrinsic worth and has something unique and valuable to contribute to humanity’s story. As your provider, it is my goal to work with you to remove obstacles to making those contributions.

I provide care through a collaborative approach between patient and provider, which my patients have told me feels “gentle” and “disarming”. I am not afraid to dig deep, ask hard questions, or say truthful things when needed! I work to instill hope and resilience in all of my patients using my varied clinical experience.

I am always working to provide the best care possible for my patients. Often, that involves combining “old-school”, tried-and-true medications with new techniques. That also means I’m happy to refer to outside services if I think it will benefit my patients. This includes psychotherapy, Genetic testing, TMS, and esketamine treatment.

Location: Denver, CO

Emily Sisa, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

I am a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and graduate of the George Washington University with my Master of Science in Nursing. I am a third-generation nurse who grew up in Northern Virginia and received my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Virginia in 2011.

I began my career in Bermuda working in the emergency room at the same hospital where my grandmother worked. I then moved to Washington, D.C. and worked at George Washington University Hospital. I also worked as a travel nurse at hospitals in New York City and Denver, Colorado. I have also volunteered my nursing skills with Project HOPE in Nepal, India, and Haiti. I have helped patients of all ages in my ten years working as an emergency department nurse.

I am dedicated to delivering safe, effective, and holistic patient care and have a passion for lifelong learning. I enjoy staying active and spending my free time exploring all that Colorado has to offer with my husband, Dan, and our Berndoodle, Lucille.
Location: Denver, CO

Kendra Ragen, Physician Assistant

I am a board-certified Physician Assistant; I am passionate about improving my patients’ quality of life and working collaboratively to improve their overall health and wellbeing. I offer medication management, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), ADHD testing, and genetic testing within the practice environment.

Outside of work, I like to hike, ski, cook, and travel. Originally from Naples, Florida, I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Florida at University of Florida. I then moved to Grand Rapids, MI to complete her Masters Degree in Physician Assistant Studies at Grand Valley State University.

Location: Denver, CO

 

Josh Miller, Physician Assistant

I am a board-certified Physician Assistant with a passion for helping people achieve their goals and live a more satisfying and fulfilling life. My background as a PA is primarily in forensic psychiatry with additional experience in emergency and hospital consult psychiatry. Prior to completing the PA program at Baylor College of Medicine, I treated many patients experiencing mental health crises while working as an EMT in Seattle, Washington. Now, I work to prevent them through a focus on building resiliency and facilitating both personal and spiritual growth.‌

My practice philosophy involves a practical, collaborative, and patient-driven approach to treatment which incorporates each individual’s personality and lifestyle. Some tools I utilize include medication management, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), genetic testing, and ketamine therapy.

Location: Denver, CO