When Treatment Feels Like Teamwork
Mental illness of any kind can feel isolating and hopeless. The hardest part about mental illness is that it touches all areas of life — from career to relationship to aspirations and beyond. We believe in evidence-based approaches to mental illness, where you are an integral part of the solution.
And while therapy is a proven method to support individuals through mental health challenges, psychiatry and medication are often a necessary stepping stone on the path to total health and wellness.
What you can expect from us
Listening
Prior to prescribing any medication, we want to hear your story. Our program is centered around listening and the exploration of all options
Collaboration
We want to honor your questions and concerns about medication, and arrive at an effective solution together.
Non-Judgment
We ask what you want, and prefer, and move forward in an open-minded, judgment-free manner
Contact a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Today
Hear from a few of our satisfied patients.
"Luana is a wonderful nurse practitioner and a very kind and understanding person. The online appointments are easy and I like that I don’t have to worry about parking and sitting in a waiting room. I recommend her without reservation. "
"I've seen many psychiatrists and nurse practitioners over the years, and no one has been near as helpful as Luana! Luana is very kind and non-judgmental and the online appointments mean I can attend my appointment during my work day. I highly recommend Luana."
"I’ve been looking for a prescriber for months. I called the clinic and had an appointment scheduled the same week. Upon meeting with Luana it became clear she truly cares about her patients. She spent time listening and understanding and worked with me to develop a plan to help me. I plan to continue to see her and highly recommend her."
Meet Luana Rutherford, Our Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Luana Rutherford, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified
(Independent Contractor)
Experience and Education
Luana Rutherford is an ANCC Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), licensed in Colorado. Luana received her Post-Master’s Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health from Walden University in 2018, and has since practiced as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in residential treatment facilities, private practice, level one psychiatric hospitals, and numerous geriatric facilities. Prior to her PMHNP certification Luana worked as an RN at several level one psychiatric facilities since 2012 and became the Chief Nursing Officer of the largest level one psychiatric facility in Arizona in 2017. Luana spends her free time reading, camping, and playing with her 3 rottweilers and 2 french bulldogs.
Luana treats children over the age of five, adolescents, adults, and the geriatric population in Colorado.
Luana's Approach: Collaboration Is Key
Luana believes that patients feel most supported in the atmosphere of collaborative care between psychiatric prescriber, primary care provider, and therapist. Her approach is based on the value of an integrative approach, where she can treat her patients in entirety, versus their symptoms alone.
All patients begin their work with Luana in a collaborative, virtual-only setting. Instead of making decisions for her patients, Luana works with them through conversation and the exploration of all available options. Her process consists of getting to know her patients, reviewing symptoms, and then moving forward with her professional recommendations. She always asks her patients what they want and prefer, and moves forward in an open-minded, judgement-free manner. Treatment may include psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and brief supportive therapy.
Luana believes that therapy is ultimately the best treatment for those struggling with mental health. But sometimes, patients need the support of medication until the benefits of therapy create tangible shifts toward wellness. While some diagnoses do require lifelong medication, her general goal is to support her patients throughout therapy, eventually guiding them away from medication.
Medication Can Be Healthy
The challenge with certain mental health disorders is that they elicit symptoms which make daily life nearly impossible. Mental illness often interferes with the ability to maintain the jobs and relationships which are fundamental to a healthy lifestyle. While therapy is a form of treatment that leads to lifelong healing and mental health, it tends to take time and commitment.
At Colorado CBT, we think of psychiatry and medication as a bridge that supports some patients as they build the life they have long desired. Medication can be incredibly supportive, like a helpful boost, to relieve patients of their debilitating symptoms while giving them the ability to make real progress in therapy. When practiced with professionalism and mindfulness, medication can make all the difference for a patient truly burdened by the tribulations of mental illness.
Work With Luana
Luana works with her Colorado patients online only. Online sessions are both convenient and safe for our patients during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Luana is an in-network provider accepting the following insurances: Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, United/Optum, Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield. Luana is not a Medicare or Medicaid provider and cannot provide treatment to patients with Medicare or Medicaid insurance.
To work with Luana, please reach out and make an appointment or call 720-694-9908!
Address:
2727 Bryant St
Ste 210
Denver, CO 80211
Tel: (720)-398-9971
Fax: (303)-265-9349
Email: info@cocbt.com
