Nina Mohsini, PMHNP-BC is a psychiatric nurse practitioner who operates virtually out of New York with Rivia Mind. She’s also our clinician spotlight today. As usual, we sat down with Nina and talked about her career up to this point as well as her time with Rivia Mind. What brought her to the field of mental health and nursing? Here’s what she had to say.
Education & Background
Nina grew up with an exposure to mental health complications and substance use, which motivated her to pursue a career in mental wellness. “You get to see firsthand that people are both strong and vulnerable, which I suppose I found perplexing as a kid.” A profound curiosity about people and a desire to connect also served as motivation.
“I always wanted to know the ‘why’ of things going on around me, and I think it just evolved into a default to want to know what leads people to where they go in life. I’ve always been asking too many questions that were probably none of my business, but I was fortunate people were usually pretty open. I learned over time, especially when I could see someone holding back, that sharing my own struggles gave permission for others to be more honest about theirs. There was something so great about leaving the ‘shoulds’ and expectations out of it and finding humor and solidarity. I think I have always been at my best when connecting to others.”
“I obtained two degrees prior to going back to school for nursing,” she explained. “I have a bachelors in psychology and a masters degree in college student personnel administration. I spent two years running an International Living Center, living and working with over 300 undergrads. It was actually kind of a blast, but I always knew I’d eventually go back for my nursing degree.”
When she did eventually go back to school for nursing, she chose the accelerated nursing program at the University of Buffalo. “My first job was established from my capstone, and I entered nursing at the Wilmot Cancer Center at Strong Hospital. I quickly fell in love with oncology, as well as end of life care, and spent my entire course of nursing working within this specialty. I always felt fortunate that I started and remained in an area that allowed me to engage in caring for the mental well-being of my patients and their families as part of my daily routine.”
Eventually as she moved through her nursing education, she found that the areas that interested her the most were related to complex trauma and ADHD, which became her specialty.
Specialty & Approach to Therapy
Nina became interested in working with the intersection of ADHD and complex trauma while in grad school. “I read the book What Happened to You. My perspective on life changed, and I couldn’t help but start to look at things through a trauma lens as a default, particularly that of complex trauma. I had been diagnosed at age 34 with ADHD not long before this, so curiosities led me to explore the relationship between ADHD and complex trauma. The complexities triggered my need to know, and I have been endlessly fascinated since.”
In Nina’s philosophy of care, she prioritizes safety, acceptance, authenticity, partnership, and a holistic approach. “I always just start with the goal of creating a safe, non-judgmental space. The rest is determined by the person I am working with and evolves with their personality and needs.”This can be especially helpful when working with individuals dealing with trauma and ADHD.
“Trauma and ADHD both have strong ties with our nervous systems and extend to every part of someone’s life,” she explained. They can also be experienced together. It can take a long time to figure out those connections and determine the impact. That process can be confusing, emotionally draining, and really quite painful. Instinctually we know better than to run towards something like that. Therapy gives people a place to work through all the complicated information and do so in a space where you have someone who helps move you forward, while also being able to gauge when it isn’t safe to do so.”
Joining Rivia Mind
Since joining Rivia Mind, Nina has appreciated the “genuine nature” of the other clinicians and staff. “There is an obvious culture here that finds quality patient care an essential part of what we do. I find all of that incredibly motivating.”
Advice To Someone Starting Therapy
Did you recently decide to reach out for mental healthcare? Congratulations! According to Nina, you’re past the first hurdle. “It can be really hard to take that first step, and the idea of walking into an office and sharing your deepest, darkest thoughts and emotions with someone you just met can be pretty scary.” She also added that the therapy space is a place where you can express yourself freely. “That person sitting in the office with you, they’re here because they care and they want to help, and they can handle whatever it is you’re carrying.”
Of course, much of that comes down to finding the right provider. “If you have any idea what is going on with you, or what you are looking for, do your research. Find a place that has practitioners who specialize in what you think you may need, and an environment that makes you feel safe and welcome. If you are coming in without feeling very directed, my advice is to ask around for recommendations or dive into a place where you feel comfortable with the vibe. Getting past that first step to start is essential, and from there you have resources to help get you where you need to be.”
Self-Care For the Clinician
For Nina, part of self-care is connecting with her family, especially her kids. “When I’m with my kiddos I’m not sure I would use the word unwinding per se, but those little people are hilarious and always keep me focused on the here and now.”
When not spending time with her kids, she likes to read and meditate as a way of unwinding. “I’ve always been a reader and still find letting myself get lost in the stories of others to be restorative. Meditation is a solid part of my self care as well. Life goes at a million miles a minute much of the time, and meditating helps slow things down and remind the mind and body it is alright to chill.”
Want to schedule an appointment with Nina? Book now! Whether you’re interested in working with Nina or any of our other skilled and compassionate clinicians, there’s never been a better time to reach out to Rivia Mind. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
