Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in North Carolina
Animo Sano Psychiatry offers specialized Child and Adolescent Psychiatry services for patients ages 4 and older, available via telehealth, providing expert behavioral health care across North Carolina.
Animo Sano Psychiatry offers a wide spectrum of behavioral health services tailored to the unique needs of young individuals. We understand that kids face various challenges as they grow, and our specialized approach ensures that each child receives the personalized care they deserve. Our child and adolescent psychiatry services are available via telehealth to all of North Carolina, we’re dedicated to supporting children through challenges including ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, and more, with empathy and expert care.
Our Practice at a Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Care at Animo Sano Psychiatry
Empathetic and Expert Care for Every Child and Teen: We understand the importance of early intervention in mental health and are committed to providing children and adolescents with the understanding and specialized care they deserve. Our psychiatric services, including child therapy and adolescent therapy, are designed to address a broad range of issues from anxiety and depression to autism and eating disorders.
Our Services: We provide a range of personalized mental health solutions, including assessment, diagnosis, and individualized treatment plans encompassing therapy, behavioral adjustments, and medication recommendations when necessary. Our goal is to foster mental well-being and recovery in a patient-centered, compassionate setting.
Accessible Care Across North Carolina: With a location in Durham, North Carolina, and services offered online throughout the state, we ensure that expert behavioral health support is within reach. We’re dedicated to making quality care accessible to every family, promoting resilience and recovery in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Accepted Insurance Plans
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*Coverage varies by plan. Send your insurance information to our billing team at VOB@animosanopsychiatry.com to confirm eligibility.
Why Choose Us
Our commitment to providing comprehensive care in a child-friendly, family-centered environment sets us apart. We believe in the power of personalized care, the importance of community resources, and the value of a supportive, non-judgmental space for all our patients.
Meet our Pediatric Providers
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Sima Patel
Treats Patients: 4 y/o up to 75
Sima Patel, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist with extensive experience in both outpatient telepsychiatry and inpatient psychiatric care. She has treated patients across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric populations. While practicing in Florida and North Carolina, Dr. Patel balanced her work in private practice with her responsibilities in hospital settings, bringing a wealth of clinical expertise to her role.
Dr. Patel earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the American University of Integrative Sciences and completed her psychiatry residency at East Carolina University. Her academic accomplishments also include a Master’s in Medical Sciences from the University of South Florida and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Drexel University.
Dr. Patel has led wellness initiatives, mentored medical students, and contributed to research aimed at enhancing psychiatric care. Her holistic approach and dedication to excellence make her an invaluable part of the Animo Sano Psychiatry team.
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Meredith Rappaport
Treats Patients: 5 y/o & above
Meredith Rappaport, PA-C, CAQ-PSY, LCSW, is a dedicated and compassionate Physician Assistant who feels incredibly fortunate to contribute to the mental health field, where prioritizing mental well-being is embraced. She has a strong curiosity and profound interest in how people think, feel, and grow.
Since 2008, Meredith has been dedicated to the mental health field, initially working as a social worker and psychotherapist. She later returned to school to become a physician assistant, continuing her work in mental health as a medical practitioner and prescriber. To enhance her capabilities, she pursued and attained additional certification in psychiatry. Her holistic approach combines medication management with a deep understanding of psychotherapy, ensuring comprehensive and empathetic care for all her patients. She continually strives to provide the best care possible.
Meredith offers child and adolescent psychiatry, as well as services for adults. She provides empathetic care for anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, intellectual disabilities, and behavioral challenges, focusing on a stigma-free, supportive environment. Meredith values the trust her patients place in her, considering them her greatest teachers. She eagerly looks forward to meeting new patients and their families, working collaboratively to address their mental health needs through mutual problem-solving and tapping into their inherent strengths.
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Tosha Marquardt
Treats Patients: 6 y/o & above
Tosha Marquardt, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant with specialized certification in psychiatry (CAQ-PSY). She earned her degree in Physician Assistant Studies and Health Care Sciences from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center after completing her studies at Texas State University and The University of Texas at Austin. Her career includes decades of experience treating children, adolescents, and adults in both inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, with additional expertise in wellness medicine, addiction treatment, and pain management.
She was inspired to pursue mental health care after seeing how deeply it impacts every aspect of life. Motivated by a desire to restore hope and reduce stigma, she is dedicated to supporting patients during their most vulnerable moments. Her approach is compassionate, personalized, and rooted in careful listening, ensuring treatment plans reflect each individual’s unique needs and goals.
In her practice, she emphasizes collaboration and trust, creating a safe and supportive environment where patients feel understood and respected. By integrating evidence-based care with empathy and openness, she empowers individuals and families to build resilience and move toward long-term mental and emotional well-being.
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Kelly Ogawa
Treats Patients: 6 y/o up to 64
I was inspired to pursue a career in mental health after seeing people I love struggle with untreated depression, grief, and addiction. I was able to see first hand how this affected the person struggling as well as their loved ones. I am passionate about breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. I strive for patients to feel comfortable enough to share how they are feeling without judgement, and work together to find a treatment plan that is effective and adheres to the goals and preferences of the patient.
I have experience treating a wide range of ages from 6-64 years old, as well as a broad range of mental health disorders, some of which include ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, and childhood behavioral issues. My goal is to help patients (and their parents) feel comfortable enough to discuss their symptoms without judgement, and work collaboratively to establish a well-rounded treatment plan that adheres to the patient/parent’s treatment goals and personal treatment preferences.
I am a physician assistant with experience in psychiatry and vascular medicine. I have experience treating a broad range of mental health disorders, some of which include ADHD, depression, anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, and childhood behavioral issues. I have also treated a broad range of ages, including children, adolescents, and adults. I am dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health after witnessing people I love struggle with untreated depression, grief, and addiction.
I am passionate about a collaborative treatment approach that is patient centered and working to achieve the patient’s/parent’s personal goals. I also emphasize the importance of physical health and how this contributes to mental health, encouraging patients to be as active as possible as well as encouraging regular follow up with primary care/pediatrician/specialists.
I am originally from New Jersey, spending a majority of my career in health care as an ultrasound sonographer in Philadelphia. I obtained my Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Monmouth University in Long Branch NJ. I relocated to North Carolina in 2023 with my husband and son. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and traveling throughout the US as well visiting extended family in Japan
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Kiana Gizzi
Treats Patients: 9 y/o up to 45
Kiana Gizzi, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant specializing in Psychiatry with a focus on child and adolescent mental health. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biobehavioral Health from Pennsylvania State University and her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Thomas Jefferson University. During her psychiatry rotation in North Carolina, Kiana discovered her passion for mental health care, which has since become the cornerstone of her practice.
Kiana has experience treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, and eating disorders. She is deeply committed to creating a safe, supportive environment for her patients and emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to mental health care. While recognizing the value of medication as part of treatment, Kiana highlights the critical role of lifestyle factors such as exercise, healthy eating, quality sleep, coping skills, and setting realistic boundaries and expectations.
Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Kiana is an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan who enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, and spending time outdoors. Her dedication to her patients, combined with her belief in a well-rounded approach to mental health, makes her a compassionate and effective provider, committed to helping her patients achieve their best quality of life.
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Jordan Espersen
Treats Patients: 12 y/o up to 65
Jordan Esperson, PMHNP-BC, is a compassionate and dedicated Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner committed to patient-centered care. With a strong belief in the power of collaboration, Jordan values her patients’ opinions and goals, integrating them into her treatment plans to enhance overall well-being. She understands that involving patients in every decision fosters a closer connection to their goals, improving both their daily lives and treatment outcomes.
Jordan specializes in working with patients who have anxiety, depression, ADHD, and other mental health conditions. Her comprehensive treatment strategy includes medication management, psychotherapy, and psychoeducation, all tailored to effectively address each patient’s unique needs. Her holistic approach also emphasizes healthy eating, exercise, and calming techniques such as meditation and yoga.
Jordan always wanted to help others from a young age, but ultimately working as a nurse and seeing the overall disparities in our mental healthcare system inspired her to enter the field of psychiatry. Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, she earned her degrees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham before relocating to North Carolina with her husband. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her son and three dogs
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions? We have answers. Browse through our FAQ section to learn more about our psychiatry and behavioral health services, your first visit, and what to expect.
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