Our Approach
Our Approach
Tara Callow, PMHNP-BC, is a psychiatric nurse practitioner who believes lasting mental health begins with a strong foundation. Her background spans pediatrics, the neonatal intensive care unit, and mother-baby care, and she is also an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). This experience gives her a whole-person understanding of health, from a patient’s earliest days through adulthood.
Who Tara Serves
Tara comes from a New York family of police officers and firefighters, and she is passionate about caring for those who serve. She welcomes first responders, military members, and veterans, as well as patients living with PTSD and trauma-related symptoms. She also has deep expertise in caring for postpartum women, drawing on her work in pediatrics and neonatal intensive care and her training as an IBCLC.
An Integrative, Root-Cause Approach
Tara addresses mental health from the ground up. She believes the foundation must be nurtured in order to achieve the best results. Rather than focusing on symptoms alone, she looks for the underlying factors that may be contributing to how you feel and takes an integrative approach to treatment.
Why Labs Matter
For most patients, a full assessment of recent lab work is required. Underlying medical factors and nutritional deficiencies can directly affect mood, anxiety, sleep, energy, and how well psychiatric treatment works. Identifying and restoring these areas can support better overall mental health and may improve how you respond to treatment. Reviewing your labs together gives us a clearer picture of what your body needs, so that your care plan is thorough and tailored to you.
GeneSight Testing: Tara offers GeneSight pharmacogenomic testing on site or by a kit sent to your home, which can show how your genes may influence the way you process certain psychiatric medications. It is not recommended for everyone, but it can help guide medication choices.
Your Initial Psychiatric Assessment
Your first appointment is a full one-hour consultation, offered by telemedicine or in person. It is a conversation, not a checklist. The goal is to understand you as a whole person, so that your care plan reflects your history, your health, and your goals.
During your assessment, Tara will:
Listen to your story.
You will talk through what brought you in, how long symptoms have been present, and how they affect your daily life, work, relationships, and sleep.
Review your history. This includes past mental health care and treatments, current and previous medications, medical history, family history, and any trauma or significant life stressors.
Look at the whole picture.
She will ask about sleep, nutrition, energy, substance use, and daily routines, as well as hormonal and reproductive health when relevant.
Review your labs. Recent lab results are assessed for medical or nutritional factors that may be contributing to your symptoms. If nutritional deficiencies are noted, Tara will recommend the vitamins and supplements needed to restore and address them.
Build your plan together.
She will explain what she is seeing in clear, plain language and answer your questions. Treatment recommendations may include medication, nutritional and lifestyle support, lab follow-up, and referrals for therapy or other care when appropriate. If medication is part of the discussion, she will review the benefits, risks, and alternatives so that you can make an informed decision. Nothing is decided without your input.
Is it normal not to receive a prescription at the first visit? Yes, it is very common. The first appointment is spent getting to know you and reviewing your history. Tara may also want to review prior records and obtain labs before recommending treatment, so that your plan is customized to you rather than rushed.
What is Tara’s primary approach to treatment?
Tara’s primary focus is medication management within an integrative approach that addresses the root cause of your symptoms and nurtures the foundation of your health, with the goal of optimizing your overall health and wellness. She does incorporate psychotherapy into sessions, though it is not the main focus of her practice. If you are looking for weekly, ongoing talk therapy, she can help connect you with a therapist to work alongside her.
For postpartum and breastfeeding patients, the assessment also includes your feeding goals and your baby’s age and health, so that any medication discussion includes lactation safety.
Follow-up visits are 30 minutes and focus on how you are responding, any changes to your plan, and your ongoing progress.
This is a safe, confidential space. Whatever you are carrying, you are welcome to share it at your own pace. There are no wrong answers. Know that you will be met with care and without judgment.
If you are in crisis, please reach out for immediate help:
Mind Matters does not provide emergency or crisis services. If you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency, please contact one of the resources below or go to your nearest emergency room.