Meet

Jennifer Ray, PMHNP- BC, MSW ,NPP

Therapist, ADHD Coach, and Psychopharmacologist, Board Certified
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Meet

Jennifer Ray, PMHNP- BC, MSW ,NPP

Therapist, ADHD Coach, and Psychopharmacologist, Board Certified

Jennifer Ray is a highly trained pharmacologist and therapist who specializes in the treatment of a range of mental health conditions, with a particular focus on ADHD, anxiety, and depression. In addition to these areas, Jenn also has expertise in helping clients manage other mental health challenges, such as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She has developed a strong interest in working with members of the LGBTQ+ community, where she strives to provide compassionate and individualized care. With her extensive background in both pharmacology and therapy, Jenn offers a holistic approach to mental health care that integrates the best of both worlds.

Navigating the world of mental health care can often feel overwhelming, and for many individuals, taking that first step toward seeking help can be a daunting task. Jenn recognizes the sensitivity and vulnerability involved in starting therapy or pursuing medication treatment. As such, she takes an open, nonjudgmental approach with each client. Her primary goal is to ensure that clients feel heard, respected, and comfortable.. By establishing a safe and supportive environment, Jenn aims to help individuals feel empowered to address their mental health concerns head-on, without fear of judgment or stigma.

Jenn’s approach to treatment is grounded in a comprehensive and integrated method that prioritizes understanding the whole person. When working with a client, she starts by thoroughly exploring their symptoms, personal history, and medical history. This includes reviewing family history, which can often provide important context for understanding mental health issues. Jenn places significant importance on tailoring treatment plans to meet the specific needs of each individual. She recognizes that no two clients are the same, and what works for one person may not work for another. As such, her treatment approach is flexible, customized, and always client-centered.

The cornerstone of Jenn’s treatment model is a combination of pharmacological interventions and supportive therapy. She works closely with clients to assess their need for medication, and when appropriate, she carefully selects medications that are tailored to the client’s unique symptoms and circumstances. However, Jenn’s approach is not purely focused on medication. She also integrates psychotherapy into the treatment process, using evidence-based methods to help clients gain insight, build coping skills, and develop emotional resilience. This often involves the integration of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, both of which are proven to be effective in treating a variety of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation.

In addition to therapy and medication, Jenn is deeply committed to supporting clients in making sustainable lifestyle changes that can have a significant impact on their mental health. She emphasizes the importance of diet, exercise, and sleep hygiene in managing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Research consistently shows that these lifestyle factors can play a critical role in improving mental health outcomes, and Jenn encourages her clients to adopt habits that support overall wellness. She believes that mental health is not just about treating symptoms but about fostering long-term health and well-being.

Jenn’s ultimate goal as a clinician is to partner with her clients in creating personalized treatment plans that reflect their unique needs and wellness goals. She believes that every person has the potential for growth and change, and she strives to create a therapeutic space where clients feel empowered to explore their challenges and work toward their personal goals. Through education, open communication, and a commitment to supporting each individual’s journey, Jenn hopes to provide clients with the tools and understanding they need to make informed decisions about their treatment and to actively participate in their own healing process.

Jenn’s qualifications are extensive and demonstrate her deep commitment to both her clients and the field of mental health. She received her Nurse Practitioner degree from Columbia University, where she gained formal training in psychopharmacology, an area in which she has developed significant expertise. She also received extensive training in individual, family, and group psychotherapy during her time at Columbia.

Another area of specialization for Jenn is executive functioning coaching, particularly in relation to ADHD. As someone with an understanding of both pharmacological treatment and therapy, she combines these methods to help individuals with ADHD improve their organizational skills, time management, and focus. Executive functioning skills are often a major challenge for those with ADHD, and Jenn's integrated approach allows her to support clients in building strategies that help them manage these difficulties more effectively.

Jenn's career spans a wide range of settings and experiences, allowing her to bring a wealth of knowledge to her work with clients. In addition to her background in outpatient psychiatry, she has worked in several academic organizations, including Columbia University Medical Center and the New York State Psychiatric Institute. She also has experience in psychiatric rehabilitation, including working at a facility in Jerusalem, Israel which gave her a deep understanding of the intersection between mental health, religion, and cultural identity. Additionally, Jenn has served as a supervisor in psychopharmacology at the Columbia University School of Nursing, where she has had the opportunity to educate and mentor future colleagues in the field of mental health.

Furthermore, Jenn’s background is uniquely enriched by her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, also earned from Columbia University. Specializing in mental health, she gained experience providing psychotherapy to individuals with epilepsy and their families. She also provided individual and group therapy, and social work services, to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness on a Columbia University inpatient psychiatry unit. Following graduation, she worked as a psychotherapist with a diverse population of clients in Far Rockaway, Queens.  This diverse clinical background has given Jenn a comprehensive approach to mental health treatment, one that considers both biological and psychosocial factors in understanding and addressing mental health challenges.

Through her years of education, training, and clinical experience, Jenn has developed a well-rounded approach to mental health care that combines the latest research, evidence-based practices, and a deep empathy for the clients she serves. Whether working with individuals in the LGBTQ+ community, those struggling with ADHD, or people facing anxiety and depression, Jenn remains committed to helping each person she works with achieve a better quality of life and long-term emotional well-being.

Jenn’s practice is located at Integrative Psych in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City. She also sees New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Vermont patients remotely.

ABOUT

Jennifer Ray, PMHNP- BC, MSW ,NPP

Jennifer Ray is a highly trained pharmacologist and therapist who specializes in the treatment of a range of mental health conditions, with a particular focus on ADHD, anxiety, and depression. In addition to these areas, Jenn also has expertise in helping clients manage other mental health challenges, such as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She has developed a strong interest in working with members of the LGBTQ+ community, where she strives to provide compassionate and individualized care. With her extensive background in both pharmacology and therapy, Jenn offers a holistic approach to mental health care that integrates the best of both worlds.

Navigating the world of mental health care can often feel overwhelming, and for many individuals, taking that first step toward seeking help can be a daunting task. Jenn recognizes the sensitivity and vulnerability involved in starting therapy or pursuing medication treatment. As such, she takes an open, nonjudgmental approach with each client. Her primary goal is to ensure that clients feel heard, respected, and comfortable.. By establishing a safe and supportive environment, Jenn aims to help individuals feel empowered to address their mental health concerns head-on, without fear of judgment or stigma.

Jenn’s approach to treatment is grounded in a comprehensive and integrated method that prioritizes understanding the whole person. When working with a client, she starts by thoroughly exploring their symptoms, personal history, and medical history. This includes reviewing family history, which can often provide important context for understanding mental health issues. Jenn places significant importance on tailoring treatment plans to meet the specific needs of each individual. She recognizes that no two clients are the same, and what works for one person may not work for another. As such, her treatment approach is flexible, customized, and always client-centered.

The cornerstone of Jenn’s treatment model is a combination of pharmacological interventions and supportive therapy. She works closely with clients to assess their need for medication, and when appropriate, she carefully selects medications that are tailored to the client’s unique symptoms and circumstances. However, Jenn’s approach is not purely focused on medication. She also integrates psychotherapy into the treatment process, using evidence-based methods to help clients gain insight, build coping skills, and develop emotional resilience. This often involves the integration of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, both of which are proven to be effective in treating a variety of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation.

In addition to therapy and medication, Jenn is deeply committed to supporting clients in making sustainable lifestyle changes that can have a significant impact on their mental health. She emphasizes the importance of diet, exercise, and sleep hygiene in managing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Research consistently shows that these lifestyle factors can play a critical role in improving mental health outcomes, and Jenn encourages her clients to adopt habits that support overall wellness. She believes that mental health is not just about treating symptoms but about fostering long-term health and well-being.

Jenn’s ultimate goal as a clinician is to partner with her clients in creating personalized treatment plans that reflect their unique needs and wellness goals. She believes that every person has the potential for growth and change, and she strives to create a therapeutic space where clients feel empowered to explore their challenges and work toward their personal goals. Through education, open communication, and a commitment to supporting each individual’s journey, Jenn hopes to provide clients with the tools and understanding they need to make informed decisions about their treatment and to actively participate in their own healing process.

Jenn’s qualifications are extensive and demonstrate her deep commitment to both her clients and the field of mental health. She received her Nurse Practitioner degree from Columbia University, where she gained formal training in psychopharmacology, an area in which she has developed significant expertise. She also received extensive training in individual, family, and group psychotherapy during her time at Columbia.

Another area of specialization for Jenn is executive functioning coaching, particularly in relation to ADHD. As someone with an understanding of both pharmacological treatment and therapy, she combines these methods to help individuals with ADHD improve their organizational skills, time management, and focus. Executive functioning skills are often a major challenge for those with ADHD, and Jenn's integrated approach allows her to support clients in building strategies that help them manage these difficulties more effectively.

Jenn's career spans a wide range of settings and experiences, allowing her to bring a wealth of knowledge to her work with clients. In addition to her background in outpatient psychiatry, she has worked in several academic organizations, including Columbia University Medical Center and the New York State Psychiatric Institute. She also has experience in psychiatric rehabilitation, including working at a facility in Jerusalem, Israel which gave her a deep understanding of the intersection between mental health, religion, and cultural identity. Additionally, Jenn has served as a supervisor in psychopharmacology at the Columbia University School of Nursing, where she has had the opportunity to educate and mentor future colleagues in the field of mental health.

Furthermore, Jenn’s background is uniquely enriched by her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, also earned from Columbia University. Specializing in mental health, she gained experience providing psychotherapy to individuals with epilepsy and their families. She also provided individual and group therapy, and social work services, to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness on a Columbia University inpatient psychiatry unit. Following graduation, she worked as a psychotherapist with a diverse population of clients in Far Rockaway, Queens.  This diverse clinical background has given Jenn a comprehensive approach to mental health treatment, one that considers both biological and psychosocial factors in understanding and addressing mental health challenges.

Through her years of education, training, and clinical experience, Jenn has developed a well-rounded approach to mental health care that combines the latest research, evidence-based practices, and a deep empathy for the clients she serves. Whether working with individuals in the LGBTQ+ community, those struggling with ADHD, or people facing anxiety and depression, Jenn remains committed to helping each person she works with achieve a better quality of life and long-term emotional well-being.

Jenn’s practice is located at Integrative Psych in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City. She also sees New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Vermont patients remotely.