Joy Melhado is a licensed and board-certified Advanced Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). She studied in British Columbia, Canada, initially obtaining an Associate Degree in Psychiatric Nursing followed by an Associate Degree in Nursing; which provided her the role as a dual-trained registered nurse. She began her career in 1991 as a psychiatric nurse working in forensic and adult inpatient psychiatry.
She brings over 30 years of experience in the specialty of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing which includes clinical practice and nursing administrative positions. Her philosophy is to work hard to end the stigma associated with mental illness by increasing awareness to other providers and the community. She is dedicated to being a strong advocate for her clients and families and brings compassion to her encounters with patients and families. She believes that mental health is vital to maintain ‘wholeness’: body, mind, and spirit.
In addition to her extensive clinical experience, Joy earned her Post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Certificate from the California State University of San Marcos. She has been awarded Psychiatric Nurse of the Year- Advanced Clinical role for San Diego County in 2012.
Her current focus is working with clients across the lifespan who suffer from depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and a wide range of other mental health conditions integrating brief psychotherapy techniques, lifestyle changes, and if necessary, medication management.
