Welcome to Sacred Mind Psychiatry. We provide compassionate, client-centered care to support your mental health and well-being. Our comprehensive mental health services ensure effective support for individuals and families. Our team of experienced professionals prioritize your needs and focus on delivering quality interventions tailored to each client. Our goal is to offer a safe space that promotes healing and sacred growth.
Who We Are
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At Sacred Mind Psychiatry, our mission is to provide compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric care that honors the whole person. We are committed to creating a safe, supportive environment where individuals feel heard, respected, and empowered to take an active role in their mental health journey. Through personalized treatment, medication management, and integrative approaches, we strive to help our patients achieve lasting emotional wellness and an improved quality of life.
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Our Vision
To be a trusted leader in mental health care by expanding access to high-quality psychiatric services, reducing stigma, and fostering a community where mental wellness is valued as an essential part of overall health. We envision a future where every individual has the opportunity to heal, grow, and thrive with dignity, hope, and support.
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💛 Compassion
We approach every patient with empathy, kindness, and genuine concern for their well-being.🌿 Respect
We honor each individual's unique experiences, perspectives, and treatment goals.✨ Collaboration
We believe healing is most effective when patients are active participants in their care and when providers work together to support them.📚 Excellence
We are committed to providing evidence-based, high-quality psychiatric care while continuously growing our knowledge and skills.🤝 Integrity
We uphold honesty, professionalism, and ethical standards in every interaction.🌱 Holistic Wellness
We recognize that mental health is influenced by biological, psychological, social, and lifestyle factors, and we strive to treat the whole person.🌟 Accessibility
We are dedicated to improving access to mental health care through in-person and telepsychiatry services for individuals across Florida.
Missy Scippio, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, CEO and Founder
Hi, I’m Missy, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) based in Lake City, Florida. I bring over 19 years of nursing experience, with a strong focus on supporting the mental health needs of adults and older adults. I have had the privilege of serving veterans at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center across a variety of settings and I’m also experienced in providing psychotropic medication management in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities.
I provide holistic, client-centered care using a biopsychosocial approach, which means exploring the many factors that influence mental health and well-being — including emotional, psychological, physical, sociocultural, and spiritual health. My goal is to build a strong therapeutic relationship and offer psychoeducation on both medication and non-medication treatment options. Each treatment plan is tailored to your individual needs and developed in collaboration with you to align with your specific goals. I am mindful of minimizing polypharmacy, prescribing the lowest effective dose of psychotropic medications, and focusing on quality, evidence-based care that supports long-term wellness.
My clinical expertise includes the management of conditions such as depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, schizophrenia, mood disorders, and dementia-related behavioral changes. I am committed to delivering compassionate, individualized care that promotes stability, healing, and an improved quality of life.
As a Columbia County resident for over two decades, I am passionate about giving back to my community by raising awareness and improving access to mental healthcare. My mission includes reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness and empowering individuals through education so that seeking help feels safe and supportive.
Cynthia White, Psychiatrist, MD
In accordance with Florida regulations, Sacred Mind Psychiatry maintains a collaboration agreement with Psychiatrist Dr. White, who provides clinical consultation and oversight to ensure the highest quality of care for our patients. Dr. White brings extensive experience in psychiatry and works with our nurse practitioner to support safe, evidence-based treatment. This partnership ensures that our patients receive comprehensive, high-quality mental health care.
Dr. White is a board-certified Psychiatrist with over 35 years of experience. She is an advocate of decreasing the stigma of mental illness. She prioritizes delivering empathetic, culturally sensitive, and individualized care to patients of all backgrounds.
While our psychiatric nurse practitioner provides your primary care, Dr. White is part of our extended care team. Through regular consultation and chart review, Dr. White helps ensure that treatment plans are safe, effective, and aligned with the latest evidence-based standards.
Services:
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Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation
This first appointment is all about getting to know you better. We will discuss your concerns, emotions, and life experiences. We'll explore not only your mental health history, but also your lifestyle, nutrition, stress levels, and even how your relationships and environment impact your mental state.
The initial visit lasts approximately 60–75 minutes and can be conducted online or in-person. Our primary goal is to build a trusting patient-practitioner relationship by meeting you where you are and understanding you as a whole person—not just your symptoms.
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Follow Up Visit
Follow-up appointments typically occur every few weeks to a few months, depending on your treatment plan. Initial visits may be more frequent as we adjust your plan. Each 30-minute session includes a check-in to review and update your treatment regimen and may include brief supportive therapy.
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Holistic Integrative Care
Integrative psychiatry combines traditional psychiatric treatments with complementary therapies. It emphasizes the role of lifestyle factors—such as sleep, exercise, nutrition, and stress management—in mental health. We treat you as a whole person and not just a diagnosis. It also incorporates evidence-based complementary approaches, including acupuncture, yoga, meditation, and certain herbal supplements, into individualized treatment plans.
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The Process
New patients can complete an inquiry form. You will be contacted afterwards to schedule a free 15-minute screening call. During this call, we discuss your needs and determine if I am the right provider for you.
Our Specialties
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Our Specialties *
OUR MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALTIES
Depression
Depression is more than just sadness—it can impact energy, motivation, sleep, appetite, and overall quality of life. Left untreated, it can interfere with relationships, work, and daily functioning.
Left untreated, depression can interfere with daily life, relationships, and work, creating a cycle that can feel impossible to break. However, depression is highly treatable with the right care, including expert medication management and a personalized approach.
👉 How Sacred Mind Helps: We provide compassionate evaluations and evidence-based treatment plans tailored to restore balance and hope, helping you feel like yourself again.
Grief and Loss
Grief is a natural response to loss, but sometimes the pain can feel overwhelming and unrelenting.
Left untreated, it can lead to prolonged sadness, withdrawal from loved ones, and even the onset of depression or anxiety. It may also affect physical health by disrupting sleep, appetite, and immune function.
👉 How Sacred Mind Helps: We provide a safe, nonjudgmental space to process emotions, learn coping strategies, and work toward healing at your own pace.
Sleep Disorders
Insomnia, restless nights, or frequent awakenings can affect mental clarity, mood, and health.
Left untreated sleep dysfunction not only cause fatigue—it can increase risk of heart disease, weight gain, diabetes, mood disorders, and impaired concentration, making everyday life more difficult.
👉 How Sacred Mind Helps: We assess underlying causes and guide you with treatment options that promote restful, restorative sleep.
Anxiety
Anxiety can show up as constant worry, racing thoughts, panic attacks, or physical symptoms like restlessness, rapid heartbeat, and muscle tension.
Anxiety disorders are common but highly treatable with the right approach. Left untreated, anxiety can disrupt relationships, hinder work performance, and diminish overall quality of life. Early intervention, including personalized psychiatric care, can provide significant relief and help individuals regain control over their lives.
👉 How Sacred Mind Helps: We create personalized strategies that may include therapy, lifestyle guidance, and medication management to reduce symptoms and help you regain control.
Mood Swings
Frequent or intense mood shifts can disrupt daily life and relationships, sometimes signaling conditions like bipolar disorder or other mood-related challenges.
Untreated mood disorders can profoundly affect your quality of life, making it essential to seek professional care. With the right treatment, mood disorders are highly manageable, and individuals can achieve balance, emotional stability, and improved well-being.
👉 How Sacred Mind Helps: Through careful evaluation and ongoing support, we help stabilize moods with individualized care plans that focus on long-term wellness.
Dementia Behaviors
Dementia can cause changes in memory, mood, behavior, and communication, creating challenges for patients and caregivers alike.
Unmanaged Dementia behaviors such as agitation, aggression, or suspicion can heighten caregiver stress, strain family relationships, and decrease quality of life for both patients and their loved ones.
👉 How Sacred Mind Helps: We help manage behavioral symptoms with compassionate approaches that focus on dignity, comfort, and caregiver support.
Policies
Appointments
Late Arrival Policy: Arriving late (more than 10 minutes) for an appointment may lead to cancellation or rescheduling.
Emergency Circumstances: If emergencies require changes to your appointment, please contact the office promptly.
Missed Appointments: Repeated instances of missed appointments without prior notification may result in your discharge.
Cancellation or No-Show Fee: Patients who cancel or miss an appointment with less than 48 hours’ notice are subject to a $150 cancellation or no-show fee. Please note that you are financially responsible for any appointments not rescheduled or canceled within the required timeframe.
Prescriptions and Refills
Medication Management During Office Visits: To ensure the best care, all requests for medication changes and prescription refills should be addressed during your scheduled appointments. Please bring your current medication list to each visit. Your provider will prescribe medications to cover your needs until your next appointment. We strongly recommend scheduling a follow-up before leaving to prevent interruptions in your medication regimen.
Bridge Refills in Valid Cancellation Cases: In exceptional circumstances, if you must cancel a scheduled appointment for a valid reason, the provider may offer a one-time bridge refill as a courtesy. While this option is less convenient than attending your visit, our primary goal is to manage your medications safely and effectively during appointments, ensuring you receive the correct medication at the proper dosage to maintain your health.
Good Faith Estimates
In compliance with the “No Surprises Act” starting on 1/1/2022 “Good Faith Estimates” are available upon request and will be provided within 3 business days.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
Crisis Management
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255 (TALK) Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline: Call or Text 988 to speak with someone today. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Please note that we do not provide crisis management services. In the event of an emergency or life-threatening situation, during or outside of business hours, dial 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency department.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Provides mental health support, education, and resources.
If you are an existing patient of Sacred Mind Psychiatry, please let us know if you accessed these emergency services.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse with additional education and training. NPs can assess patients, make diagnoses, order and interpret tests, prescribe medications, and develop treatment plans. They collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care.
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The main difference between a psychiatrist and a psychiatric nurse practitioner lies in their education and scope of practice. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in mental health, trained to diagnose and treat mental illnesses through medication management, therapy, and other medical interventions. They complete medical school and residency.
A psychiatric nurse practitioner (PMHNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse with specialized training in psychiatric and mental health care. They can assess, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders, provide therapy, and prescribe medications within their scope of practice.
While both professionals provide mental health care, psychiatrists have a broader medical background, whereas psychiatric nurse practitioners bring nursing expertise and often emphasize a holistic, patient-centered approach.
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Integrative psychiatry takes a holistic approach to mental health, considering the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit. It aims to minimize the use of medications when possible, opting for a balanced approach that considers the benefits and potential risks associated with medication use. It combines traditional psychiatric treatments with complementary therapies such as nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, and other mind-body practices. Integrative psychiatry emphasizes the importance of lifestyle modifications including sleep, stress management, and healthy habits. It recognizes the potential benefits of evidence-based complementary approaches like yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and herbal supplements in treatment plans.
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Visits at Sacred Mind Psychiatry include brief supportive therapy, CBT-informed tools, and solution-focused guidance. These approaches help you build insight, learn practical coping strategies, and navigate life’s challenges more effectively. However, they are not intended to replace ongoing or structured psychotherapy.
If you are looking for deeper, long-term, or weekly therapy, I’m always happy to connect you with trusted, licensed therapists who can provide the continued support you deserve.
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Yes. Many of my patients see a therapist for regular counseling and meet with me for medication management and integrative mental health support.
I’m always happy to collaborate with your current therapist so your care feels coordinated, seamless, and aligned with your goals.
Your mental health journey works best when your providers work together—and I’m committed to making that process smooth and supportive.
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Appointments are available in-person or online through a secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform. While in-person evaluations are recommended for your first visit, they are not required.
Please note: Stairs are required to access the main office space. If you have mobility limitations, accommodations can be arranged for a downstairs office visit to ensure accessibility and comfort.
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Sacred Mind Psychiatry currently accepts insurance through United Healthcare, Medicare, Aetna, and Cigna. We are pending Blue Cross Blue Shield. You may be eligible for partial reimbursement if you have a PPO plan with out-of-network benefits. I can provide a superbill—a detailed receipt—to submit to your insurance provider for possible reimbursement. We recommend contacting your insurance company before booking an appointment to confirm your out-of-network mental health coverage and reimbursement rates. We also accept cash pay options .
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It’s completely normal to have concerns about medication. My approach prioritizes open communication. I take the time to listen to your concerns and ensure we thoroughly discuss the risks, benefits, and potential side effects. We always start with the lowest effective dose to decrease side effects and slowly taper up if indicated. We’re never bound to any decisions. Adjustments can be made as needed to ensure you feel comfortable and supported throughout the process.
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I do not prescribe benzodiazepines for chronic or long-term use. Benzodiazepines may be considered only for short-term, time-limited indications. This policy is in place to protect patient safety, ensure evidence-based care, and prevent harm associated with long-term benzodiazepine use. Exceptions to this policy may only be made in rare, carefully documented cases where the benefits clearly outweigh the risks and with close monitoring.
I do not see patients who are seeking benzodiazepines as their primary or sole treatment. My focus is on comprehensive, sustainable care that addresses the root of your symptoms using a combination of medication, integrative strategies, and lifestyle support. -
Click the link to contact us to provide more details about yourself. After completing a brief questionnaire, I will reach out to schedule a FREE 15-minute initial consultation to find out more about your needs and see if we are a good fit. I look forward to meeting you!
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After scheduling, you will receive an email with a link to complete your intake forms and consents. These forms must be submitted at least 48 hours prior to your appointment.
We review all forms in advance to gain a comprehensive understanding of your background and current needs. If forms are not completed within this timeframe, your appointment may need to be rescheduled to allow for adequate preparation.
To make the most of the initial encounter, gather any relevant medical records, previous treatment information, and a list of current medications you're taking. Additionally, take some time to reflect on your symptoms, concerns, and goals for treatment.
Our providers are here to support you, and having this information ready can help ensure a productive and informative first visit.
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I require at least 48 hours’ notice to cancel an appointment. Late cancellations or missed appointments will incur a $150 fee. A credit card must be kept on file before booking any appointments.
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Clients have access to the patient portal, where you can send a secure message between appointments. I will respond within 24–72 business hours. I also encourage you to note any questions and bring them to your appointment for discussion.
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In the beginning, you may need to meet more frequently, especially during medication adjustments to monitor potential side effects. Once we establish that you’re feeling more stable, follow-up appointments will be required no less than every three months.
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Sacred Mind Psychiatry evaluates requests for FMLA, short-term disability, workplace accommodations, and other leave-related documentation on a case-by-case basis.
To be considered for disability, FMLA, or leave-related documentation, patients must have an established treatment relationship with our practice, which generally requires a minimum of six months of treatment and regular follow-up appointments. Exceptions may be considered in limited circumstances at the sole discretion of the treating clinician.
Short-term disability or medical leave may be considered for established patients when clinically appropriate, including participation in a higher level of care such as an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) or Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). Approval is at the sole discretion of the treating clinician.
Sacred Mind Psychiatry does not provide long-term disability certifications, permanent disability determinations, fitness-for-duty evaluations, workers' compensation evaluations, or independent disability assessments.
If you require completion of forms or a review of records, an appointment may be required. Forms requiring more than 10 minutes of provider time, record review, or clinical assessment are subject to a $150 administrative fee. Payment is required prior to completion and submission of paperwork.
Completion of paperwork is not guaranteed, and submission of forms does not imply approval of disability, leave, or accommodation requests.
Contact Us
For new patients requesting an appointment, click the button below to fill out the new patient inquiry form. I will follow up to schedule a 15-minute free consultation. Prioritize your mental well-being and secure your appointment today. Take the first step towards enhancing your mental health! I can’t wait to meet you!