Chanel Ruby
psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner
ABOUT ME
My name is Chanel. I am a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner living on Whidbey Island in the Puget Sound of Washington State. I am a white, queer, cis-gendered woman, and my pronouns are she/her.
I am also a licensed massage therapist, yoga instructor, and I spent a number of years working in the birth world as a labor and delivery nurse. I have a lifelong curiosity for the mysteries of human consciousness and the mind-body connection, which has turned into a love for many kinds of meditation and movement practices. When I’m not working, you can find me dancing, painting, gardening, or spending time with my husband, dog, and our two cats in a tiny house on a small homestead where we grow way too many fruit trees.
APPROACH
I work with adolescents and adults ages 15-50 offering psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and supplemental therapy. My goal is to help cultivate a safe space so I may listen to you, hear you, and collaborate with you to find a path towards greater equanimity and vitality.
I take a non-pathologizing approach, meaning I view your experience as an expression of the complexity of your life, rather than an intrinsic flaw. I value the unique experience you bring, and the perspective and wisdom that comes from that experience. My work is rooted in mindfulness and embodiment, as I find that turning towards the body in the present moment to be a valuable vehicle of self-understanding. I value slowness, and taking the time we need for you to fully share your story. I also practice from a trauma-informed and intersectional lens, meaning I acknowledge and work with the many ways in which we are impacted by external forces of our families, communities, institutions, and governments.
In our work together we may utilize natural supplements, lifestyle changes, emotional regulation skills, as well as medications. I consider medications to be potent tools to be taken mindfully, and I will always work with you to find the best fit. While medication management is my main focus, I draw tools from various mind-body therapies such as Somatic Experiencing and mindfulness practices.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
I hold a Master of Science in Nursing from Frontier Nursing University, a Bachelor in Science in Nursing from the University of Colorado, and a Bachelor in Humanities and Environmental Science from Virginia Tech. I also hold a 500-hour yoga teacher certification and certification in massage therapy from the Blue Ridge School of Massage & Yoga. I am currently in the advanced training to be a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, a body based modality for healing trauma.
HOW I CAN HELP
ages 15-55
depression & anxiety
trauma
bipolar spectrum
sleep & insomnia
ADHD
pregnancy & postpartum