Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
Dr. Anna Cook
Dr. Anna Cook is a doctorally prepared Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who specializes in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating various mental health conditions. As an experienced mental health professional and nurse, Anna understands the importance of mental health and wellness. Anna has been working as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner since 2015. She is dually certified as an adult Clinical Nurse Specialist and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She also completed her doctorate in 2019. Anna has both personal and professional experiences that allow her to meet people where they are and offer genuine care and empathy. She understands that people often arrive to her in their most difficult and vulnerable seasons of life, and she identifies compassion and understanding as the foundation of her practice. “Every person that walks into my office is vulnerable. Often people are facing some of the most difficult seasons of life and I genuinely appreciate the opportunity to help them get back to the place in life where they had a sense of joy and purpose.”
Anna is passionate about caring for people of all ages and with various mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and insomnia. She believes in a holistic approach to treating mental illness and combining the use of both medications and supportive psychotherapy to treat the whole person. Anna has worked in various settings including inpatient, outpatient and residential services. Additionally, she has several years of experience in geriatric psychiatry. with various populations. Anna strives to ensure that her practice offers the most advanced, evidence-based treatments available in the treatment of mental health disorders. She is constantly reading and learning of new treatment modalities being studied in the field. Anna is especially intrigued by the growing research in the area of the use of psychedelics in the treatment of mental health disorders. More information about the treatments is available on the iMind Website.
Anna has been married to her husband David since 2008 and they have four children. Together they opened iMind Mental Health and Wellness in 2018. They have faced significant challenges over the past 15 years adjusting to the trials and tribulations of a blended family, changing careers and opening a business. But together they have persevered and are so proud of the success of the practice. While the challenges continue, they both feel the opportunity to provide such a valuable resource to the community is worth the sacrifice.
Eric Aguilar, PMHNP
Eric Aguilar was born and raised in El Paso, Texas and is newer to the Jackson area while bringing over 10 years of nursing experience with him, along with his wife and highly energetic Doodle. Eric obtained his Bachelor of Nursing Degree from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico in 2012, where he has practiced as a Registered Nurse across a multitude of hospital settings delivering empathetic care to countless individuals in their most vulnerable states. Engaging in three years of travel nursing also afforded him the opportunity to learn from and gain perspective on the diverse patient populations across the United States. In recognizing that health cannot exist with mental health, Eric returned to school and graduated from the inaugural Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Texas at El Paso in the Fall of 2022, achieving his Master’s degree in nursing.
Eric’s “why” in becoming a mental health provider is fueled by having faced numerous tragedies of life and in recognizing the endless challenges that others encounter each day. He believes his role as a PMHNP presents a unique opportunity to serve the public by preventing, identifying, and treating the increasingly broad range of psychiatric conditions, incorporating nursing, psychosocial, and neurobiological understanding to partner with individuals to reach their goals of living productive, meaningful, purposeful lives, and to integrate as valuable members in their communities.
Nicole Harwell, PMHNP
Nicole first began as an intern at iMind last year but has now transitioned to a full time Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Her enthusiasm is palpable, and her genuine passion for mental health is evident in the care she provides for her patients.Nicole says: I have been a nurse for over 22 years in various areas of nursing, from neonates to adults. I went into nursing because I am passionate about caring for others. I genuinely believe I have made a difference, and, with each job, God has orchestrated a part of my personal story. My time as a Neonatal ICU nurse prepared me for premature identical twins. My personal experiences allowed me to grow and persevere through difficult times, accept help when offered, and become an advocate for children.
I am thankful for the experiences I had in NICU. The growth and knowledge I gained prepared me to later become the primary caretaker of my father, who was diagnosed with early-onset dementia and left alone due to some choices from drug addiction. At that time, I was also placed in a case management position which was the perfect place to prepare me for the journey ahead. After working in case management, I realized the need of disadvantaged populations, and it helped to teach me creative ways to find resources that would improve the care of my patients.
Life experience has taught me so much about mental health- from learning disabilities, ADHD, and anxiety in my children, to addiction, depression, and dementia in adults. I am excited to work as a psychiatric nurse practitioner and look forward to the opportunity for ongoing professional and personal growth. I am undoubtedly called to this exact point to encourage others, help them seek guidance, and become their advocate in an ever-changing healthcare world.
Nicole is now accepting new patients, both children and adults. Please call 731-300-0810 to find out more information on how to schedule an appointment.
Brandi Holt, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Brandi Holt was born and raised in Jackson, Tennessee. With over six years of diverse nursing experience across various settings, including the emergency room, behavioral health, pain management, and correctional medicine, she has developed a deep passion for providing compassionate care to individuals facing mental health challenges. As an experienced healthcare provider, she is dedicated to advocating for patients’ emotional and psychological well-being.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Austin Peay State University, where she laid the foundation for her nursing career. She furthered her education by obtaining a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) degree from the University of Memphis, gaining valuable experience in primary care and holistic patient management. Recognizing her passion for mental health, she pursued and completed a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) degree at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. This advanced education deepened her understanding of the complex connection between mental and physical health, equipping her with the skills to diagnose, treat, and manage a broad range of psychiatric conditions.
As a dual-certified nurse practitioner, her goal is to provide holistic, patient-centered care that addresses the whole person, not just their diagnosis. She believes that mental health is integral to overall wellness and is committed to empowering patients to take an active role in their treatment. She collaborates with individuals to create personalized care plans that align with their unique needs, goals, and values, all while offering the compassion and understanding necessary for achieving positive mental health outcomes.
Brandi Holt is dedicated to her work as a PMHNP, leveraging her diverse nursing background to improve the mental health and well-being of her patients. Her experiences have shaped her approach to care, inspiring a commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth, ensuring she remains a reliable resource for those in need of mental health services.
Therapists
Paige Bledsoe, LCSW
Paige Bledsoe is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 21 years of experience. Paige obtained a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Union University (1998) and obtained her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville (2000). Paige began her clinical social work career providing psychotherapy services to a primary female population age 3- up who had experienced complex trauma. Paige’s passion continues where she started, walking the difficult journey of healing from our wounded hearts, mind, and souls; including trauma, where sitting with the hurting and teaming with clients to address barriers that often keep one from living life in the present to the fullest. Paige believes in working from a Bio-psycho-social approach, meeting people where they are, and joining in their journey together watching many experience growth, healing, and change. Paige enjoys working with adolescents through adulthood individually, as a family, as well as engaging in group psychotherapy.
Paige joins the Imind Team with experience in leadership and supervision, as well as her clinical experience in a variety of settings such as school social work, residential treatment, and outpatient settings supporting those struggling with but not limited to PTSD (complex and Developmental Trauma), Anxiety Disorders, Mood disorders, Grief and Bereavement including survivors of suicide loss, ADHD, Substance Use Disorders;/ Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use, survivors of loss by suicide, crisis intervention, self-harming and suicidality, and life transitions. Paige believes strongly in a client-centered approach using tools and interventions from a variety of evidence-based interventions, including EMDR.
Sarah Joyce, LPC-MHSP
Sarah Joyce holds a B.S. in psychology and an M.S. in clinical mental health counseling and works within an easy-going and non-judgmental framework to help clients find personal, practical solutions within their value system. She works primarily from a humanistic, person-centered perspective, and is basic trained in EMDR. Sarah works primarily with adults, and her clinical focus includes, but is not limited to, religious trauma, ADHD, anxiety, self-esteem, and recovery from unhealthy environments and relationships. She is especially passionate about serving the LGBTQ+ community with identity-affirming therapy and providing a safe place to explore values and identity without judgment. Outside of therapy, Sarah enjoys creative writing and has worked as an editor and illustrator, so she also enjoys counseling creative professionals and assisting them with focus and productivity.
Taylor O’Connor, LMSW
Taylor O’Connor, LMSW, is a highly skilled and empathetic behavioral health counselor and social worker, with a history of providing crucial support to diverse populations. As a male therapist, Taylor brings a unique perspective to his work, often serving as a pivotal role model for many of his clients.
Taylor is a West TN native, graduating from Jackson Christian School in 2012. He went on to attend Union University, earning his Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2016 and his Master of Social Work in 2018.
Taylor’s professional experience started as a Therapist Assistant at Youth Town, a Level I to II Substance Abuse Treatment Facility, from January 2017 to May 2017. In this role, he interacted daily with the youth, assisting them in understanding and solving their problems. He counseled and guided the youth in taking a positive approach towards life goals, planned, and implemented life skills, and performed crisis intervention as required. He later served as a Social Work Intern at UT Family Medicine Center from September 2017 to May 2018, providing counseling for various issues such as substance abuse, stress, divorce, anxiety, depression, and more. He also connected patients to resources and provided resource management counseling when necessary, besides educating patients on various health concerns. From August 2018 to March 2020, Taylor served as a Victim Advocate at the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. In this role, he provided support and resources for victims of crime, offered counseling and crisis intervention, and performed case management duties. He was also a Certified Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) instructor and a Crisis Negotiator on the MCSO Crisis Negotiation Team.
Most recently, Taylor worked as a Behavioral Health Counselor at Impact Healthcare from March 2020 to February 2024. His duties included outpatient substance use counseling provided via individual, group, and family sessions, case management, resource referrals, and participating in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings and care planning.
Taylor’s commitment to his clients, combined with his dedication to continuous learning, make him a valuable asset in the field therapy. His expertise, combined with his passion for helping others, ensures that he provides the highest level of care to those he serves.
Therapy Pet
Tito Cook
Hi,
I’m Tito. I am sure you have seen me around. I love coming to work with my parents Anna and David to help around the office and of course to get snacks from everyone. I am a 4-year-old French Bulldog who loves playing with my toys but, I do destroy them so my parents have to get me indestructible ones. If you see me around don’t be alarmed I am here to help you and get all the rubbings I can get.