Find a Top Psychiatrist Near Me in Phoenix, AZ – Book an Appointment Instantly

Paul Christopher Boulware, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist. at 2nd Chance, an outpatient addiction recovery center with locations in Glendale, Phoenix, and Gilbert, Arizona. Dr. Boulware specializes in neuropsychiatry, mood disorders, cognitive decline, and dementia.

Dr. Boulware has always cared about the human condition. Before pursuing medicine, he graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, with a Bachelor of Arts in American History and a Bachelor of Arts in English.

Dr. Boulware received his medical degree in 2002 from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. He went on to complete the Montgomery Internal Medicine Training Program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. 

A passionate learner, Dr. Boulware then completed a residency in nuclear medicine at Emory University, located in Atlanta, followed by a residency in radiology at the University of Oklahoma, in Norman, Oklahoma. Finally, he practiced as a resident in psychiatry at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.

Over the years, Dr. Boulware has received numerous honors for his studies and work, including the 2003 Terry Hale Intern of the Year Award at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. 

Dr. Boulware finds his work at 2nd Chance to be incredibly rewarding, and he seeks close ties with his professional community so that he can continue to help his patients recover their lives using the latest and best methods and medications. 

To that end, he’s also a member of the American Psychiatric Association, Arizona Psychiatric Society, Maryland Psychiatric Association, the Society of Nuclear Medicine, and the American Medical Association. 

Fernando Grabner, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist at 2nd Chance. He specializes in mood disorders and substance use disorders. He treats conditions such as depression, anxiety, panic, bipolar disorder, ADHD, schizophrenia, and substance use disorder. He offers his clinical expertise to patients in the communities of Phoenix, Glendale, Lichfield and Gilbert, Arizona.

He provides a variety of outpatient services, including Suboxone®, for patients addicted to prescription opioids, fentanyl, and heroin. He also offers intranasal Ketamine for those with treatment resistant depression.

Dr. Grabner earned his medical degree at St. Luke University in Porto Velho, Brazil. He then came to the United States and completed a residency in General Psychiatry at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. For two consecutive years he was elected Chief Resident, where he served helping develop the Residency Program, supervision of other residents and administrative issues.

Jared Brink, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at 2nd Chance. He sees patients from the practice’s locations in Arrowhead and Surprise, Arizona.  

Raised in Northern Arizona, Jared started his healthcare journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Arizona State University (ASU), graduating in 2007. He worked in the physical therapy field for a time and then found his true passion after graduating from ASU with a degree in nursing in 2012. Over the years, Jared has developed a keen desire to help people who are hurting, both physically and mentally. 

Working as an acute care ICU nurse for years, it was extremely satisfying providing care and compassion to people who desperately needed it. However, after joining an outpatient assertive community treatment (ACT) team helping those with severe mental illness, substance use disorders, and general mental health concerns, Jared made it his goal to become an excellent psychiatric nurse practitioner.

Jared has now taken this enthusiasm with him into the role as a provider and plans to work diligently to provide genuine care and compassion to those needing help.

Jared is an active member of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. He obtained his Master of Science in Nursing as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from Eastern Kentucky University.

Michael F. LaVarnway, DO, is a board-certified psychiatrist serving residents throughout the communities of Phoenix, Glendale, Surprise, and Gilbert, Arizona. Dr. LaVarnway brings more than 20 years of experience to 2nd Chance, where he works with individuals struggling with addiction and mental health disorders.

Dr. LaVarnway earned his Bachelor of Science in biology at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh in Plattsburgh, New York, in 1995 before enrolling in medical school. In 1999, he received his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of the New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury, New York.

Four years later, Dr. LaVarnway completed a general psychiatry residency at Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York, spending an additional year on consultation and liaison, addiction psychiatry, and community-based psychiatry.

Suboxone® certified, Dr. LaVarnway treats individuals addicted to prescription opioids and heroin, alcohol, marijuana, and more. He also provides therapy for those struggling with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and other mental health disorders.

Outside of his psychiatry role at 2nd Chance, Dr. LaVarnway has served as an instructor at Boston University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts, where he provided educational mentorship for physician assistants and medical students during their psychiatry rotations.

Rebecca Shaw, PMHNP- BC, is a caring, board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who specializes in treating addiction and mental health disorders. She sees patients out of the Queen Creek and Gilbert, Arizona, offices of 2nd Chance.

With over 10 years of experience in treating substance use and opiate use disorders, Rebecca is passionate about helping people who struggle with addiction and mental health find hope, recovery, and self-empowerment. Rebecca graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with her Masters in Nursing with a specialty in Psychiatric Mental Health. She received her BSN from Chamberlain University in 2012.

For many years, Rebecca worked as the Director of Nursing for detox and inpatient facilities. She uses empathy and understanding to help people begin their journey into recovery while addressing relapse symptoms. She is experienced in treating young adults, adults, and geriatrics in both substance use and mental health treatment.

As someone born and raised in Arizona, Rebecca has witnessed the growing need for increased access to mental health and addiction providers throughout the state. She is grateful to be of service and looks forward to helping people find hope and healing.

Through active listening and compassionate care, Topher is dedicated in delivering the highest standard of psychiatric care to his patients. He worked in a clinical laboratory for three years prior to obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Arizona State University and a Master of Health Science in Physician Assistant Studies from A.T. Still University. Topher was nominated for PA Student of the Year in Arizona due to his academic performance and dedication to the community with is involvement of PACH (a free health clinic). Topher began his career practicing In-Patient Psychiatry at Quail Run Behavioral health where he quickly became good friends with his mentor and colleague Dr. Michael Vines. Topher provided psychiatric services to Canyon State Academy, a boys ranch for at risk youths, here in the Valley for over five years. Topher enjoys spending time with his family and watching soccer. Go Manchester City!

Sarah Smith is a psychiatric nurse practitioner who graduated from the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming in 2017 with a Doctorates of Nursing Practice. After graduating, Mrs. Smith spent two and a half years working in a community mental health clinic in Gillette, Wyoming. Prior to becoming a provider, Mrs. Smith had been a registered nurse since 2010. She spent four years working as a Medical/Surgical nurse and three years working as a behavioral health nurse. This experience taught her how to be an active listener and patient advocate. Mrs. Smith moved to Gillette, Wyoming in 2011 to be with her husband. She has found access to mental health and substance abuse treatment to be lacking in Wyoming. She continues to provide mental health treatment in Gillette, WY as she strives to improve access to those in need of care.

Our principal, DR. STEPHANIE FUMI HANCOCK is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health(PMHNP-BC) Dr. of Nurse Practice, TEDxTALK Speaker, 16x Bestselling Author, and an Award-winning Podcaster. She is known globally as Your Compassionate Trauma Care Maestro™ and Global VIsion Midwife™ who uses Rehabilitative Storytelling to move hurting people from Trauma to Recovery™. In addition, she is one of the first cohorts, the Johnson & Johnson Nurse Innovation Fellowship. Dr. Hancock, DNP has been featured on various media outlets such as TV-CBS9, Radio- iHeartRadio. She writes, "Our staff is patient, empowering, and dedicated to YOUR CARE. POB Psychiatry is a safe haven from Recovery and Wellness Flow™".

Originally from Jamaica, currently residing in west central Florida, I am a dual Board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner with over 12 years of experience in healthcare. This experience is inclusive of Emergency room, Trauma, and Intensive care as a Registered Nurse, addiction medicine, primary care, Urgent care, community health, infectious disease, Psychiatry/ behavioral health, and pediatrics, among other subspecialties as a nurse practitioner. I discovered my passion for mental health during my work in emergency departments nationwide, working as a community health nurse practitioner with the homeless community in South Florida, and as a pediatric urgent care nurse practitioner treating unaccompanied minors in Texas. In these positions, I was made fully aware of the significant presence of individuals with unaddressed trauma, and mental health conditions due to the stigma, and limited access to treatment.

Doctorate of Nursing practice in psychiatric mental health. I am a Board-Certified Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) licensed in Arizona. I have been in this profession for 25 years. When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my amazing family and friends. I enjoy travel and seeing new people, places and experiences. I love animals and am a devoted pet person. I care about the community regardless of race, nationality, identity, or religion. My goal is to empower all people to understand that mental health affects everyone. I have come to know that trauma has a significant influence on a patient's life and how trauma affects one's well-being and oftentimes leads to issues with addiction. I have extensive experience in working with depression, anxiety and substance use disorders. I believe in providing hope, respect, and compassion to those I treat. Most of my experience has been in medication management for these mental health issues.

Shawn is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. He has been in the psychiatric nursing specialty for over 14 years. He is experienced in providing care for individuals requesting treatment for mental health and substance use disorders utilizing evidence-based methodology. He provides evaluations, treatment planning, ongoing follow-up, and psychopharmacological treatment.

Jolene Garrow, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified mental health nurse practitioner at Blue Water Psychiatry. Jolene has dedicated 14 years to the nursing field with most of her experience in the neurological and trauma intensive care units. After caring for patients and supporting their families for so many years, she couldn’t ignore the importance of maintaining a balance of mental and physical health.

Jolene is focused on fostering a safe and empathetic environment where patients can openly discuss their concerns and experiences. Together, you will create a care plan that best suits your personal needs and lifestyle. Her approach combines evidence-based practice with a deep understanding of the emotional and psychological aspects of mental health, aiming to empower patients on their journey to recovery.

Lauren Rebman (goes by "Tessa") is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from Virginia. Tessa knew from a young age that she had a passion to work with and care for the needs of other individuals. This passion led her into a career as a registered nurse, where she spent over eight years caring for critically ill patients within intensive care units. While Tessa had the privilege of witnessing many life-saving interventions, what truly inspired her was not just seeing patients survive but watching them live life again to the fullest. The distinction between being alive and truly living became clear to Tessa during her years of intensive care nursing, fueling her enthusiasm for psychiatric care.

In addition to her bedside nursing experience, Tessa grew up with a special needs sibling, allowing her to witness firsthand the transformative impact that compassionate psychiatric care can have on someone's life. This personal experience drives Tessa's commitment to providing exceptional psychiatric care, particularly for the pediatric population. Tessa's approach to care is warm, empathetic, and collaborative, and she considers it an honor to support patients on their mental health journeys. Tessa looks forward to working with you to help you live your life to the fullest.

Justin McKinley, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and co-owner of Blue Water Psychiatry in Mesa, Arizona. With over 15 years of experience in healthcare as an emergency medical technician (EMT), paramedic, and emergency room nurse, Justin has developed the skills necessary to build caring and trusting therapeutic relationships with patients.

As education plays an important role in Justin’s nursing experience, he is motivated to seek opportunities that allow him to further enhance his expertise. He completed his bachelor’s degree in nursing at the University of Phoenix before pursuing his master’s degree in psychiatric mental health nursing at Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri. 

At Blue Water Psychiatry, Justin is success-driven and committed to helping you achieve optimal mental health through collaborative problem solving and empowering you to recognize your inner potential. 

To learn more about how Justin and his team can help you through a difficult situation, schedule a visit to meet with them at Blue Water Psychiatry.