Jess Romeo
(he/they), PMHNP-BC, MSW
Serving patients in: Maryland, DC, Massachusetts
Hi there, I’m Jess Romeo, a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, clinical social worker, and the founder of OutPsych.
Here are a few things that guide my practice:
There’s more than one way of knowing—
I synthesize knowledge from research, Western medicine, Eastern wisdom, our innate knowing, and other traditions around the world in my approach to care
As a queer & trans person, I know that experiences with medical providers can range anywhere from affirming to traumatic.
I have profound respect for the fact that you may be anxious, afraid, or hesitant to trust me initially, and I believe it’s my job to earn your trust over time with my actions.
Being a safe space for others who need their voices heard
This is one of the greatest gifts we can give one another, and it’s a joy to give to my patients every day
The wise path is usually the middle path
I believe both/and over either/or—medications can be lifesaving AND Big Pharma has serious problems; systemic oppression drives much mental suffering AND individual treatment can still provide meaningful relief when we understand the full context
Redefining your treatment strategy after a recent autism or ADHD diagnosis, because all those meds you tried in the past never took that into account.
Working with co-occurring medical conditions, especially chronic pain, MCAS, POTS, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and other autoimmune conditions
If you’re a member of the trans/gender diverse community and would feel most comfortable working with someone with lived experience
Complex trauma and its intersection with neurodivergence, chronic illness, and marginalized identities—especially when you've been told your symptoms are "just anxiety" or "all in your head"
Gender diverse adolescents who need both a sound psychiatric care plan and an example of a thriving trans adult in their lives to give them hope for the future
Where I’ll do my best work with you:
-
2007-2012
I received my B.A. in Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, conducting research with leaders in Positive Psychology. I spent the next year in neuroscience research at Penn, where I studied the neurobiology of addiction.
2012-2014
Next, I moved to Boston and received a Master’s in Social Work from Simmons University, where I was trained as a psychotherapist. I worked in community mental health and residential addiction treatment during these two years, building a reputation as “that therapist who always talked about the brain” when running addiction treatment groups!
2014-2020
After practicing for a few years, I decided I wanted to integrate psychiatric medicine into my practice, so I entered the MGH Institute in Boston to become a nurse practitioner in 2016. I continued working as a therapist, clinical supervisor, and clinical director in addiction treatment during nursing school. I was an adjunct professor at Simmons University School of Social Work, teaching about the Neurobiology of Attachment. I also developed a nursing course at the MGH Institute on evidence-based addiction treatment. My clinical practice during the pandemic was focused on adult psychiatry and addiction psychiatry. I began to build a passion for working with trauma, helping people change the story their nervous system was telling them, and becoming a better healer and teacher to those I served as well as to my colleagues.
2021-2022
In 2021, I moved from Massachusetts to Maryland! I continued to work in community mental health, further specializing in LGBTQIA+ affirming psychiatry with children, adolescents, and adults. I opened Integra Mental Health to be a safe haven in a field that sometimes isn’t so safe for folks, and began practicing integrative psychiatry more consistently with the time, autonomy, and flexibility afforded by having my own practice.
2022-present
In my current practice, I integrate traditional psychiatry, complementary medicine, and evidence-based psychotherapy approaches to care for my patients. My broad educational and clinical experience informs a uniquely integrative and holistic approach to your treatment. As a queer and trans-identified person, I also care deeply about providing inclusive and affirming care to the LGBTQIA+ population. I know that evidence-based, gold-standard treatments aren’t above reproach and that we must exercise critical thinking, and a decolonizing perspective in practicing wisely with individuals who don’t always fit in boxes.
My clinical, educational, and life experiences lead me to provide a caring, attentive, empowering approach you will find healing if you’ve struggled to feel heard or understood with psychiatric providers in the past.