Noelia Peña, MSN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC

I was actually scared to go into psychiatry because my brother has bipolar disorder, and watching my family navigate that was incredibly difficult. But that same experience was also the reason that I knew I needed to do this work.

I’m Noelia, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner, fluent in both English and Spanish.

Before nursing, I worked as a supervisor in an oncology lab, so I’ve always been drawn to healthcare and understanding what’s happening beneath the surface.

My approach to psychiatric care is grounded in creating calm. Clients often tell me they feel heard and sense that I genuinely care about them, which I think comes from the calmness I naturally bring into the room. When you’re discussing medication management and treatment options, that sense of safety and being truly heard matters.

I specialize in working with adolescents and young adults, particularly those struggling with anxiety. I understand anxiety personally because I’ve dealt with my own struggles, and this shapes how I approach treatment. Having that lived experience helps me see beyond symptoms to understand what my patients are actually going through day-to-day.

I take a thoughtful, intentional approach to prescribing psychiatric medications. My goal is to collaborate closely with you so you feel informed, respected, and empowered in your treatment decisions. I want you to improve your well-being with care plans that are effective, simple, and sustainable.

There’s a moment I experience when I float in the ocean where the whole world disappears, the quiet of the water takes over, and my mind finally becomes calm. That’s the kind of mental quiet I want to help my patients find through the right combination of medication management, support, and understanding what works for your specific situation.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, traveling, trying new restaurants, and visiting museums. I’m also obsessed with space and can watch shows like “How the Universe Works” for hours because there’s something fascinating about understanding systems we can’t always see, which connects to why I love psychiatry.

If you’re hesitant about starting psychiatric care, I want to be honest – this work is hard. Being vulnerable takes courage, and it will take time. But one step at a time, it gets easier. The process can be life-changing when you work with someone who understands what you’re going through.