Mary Blake, ANP-C, PMHNP-C

Mary Blake, ANP-C, PMHNP-C — Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

CEO & Founder, Align Mental Health & Wellness

Mary brings a warm, clarity-driven, and highly practical approach to psychiatric care with a strong emphasis on safe, evidence-based medication management. She creates a nonjudgmental space where patients feel heard and informed, and she prioritizes shared decision-making when psychiatric medication is part of the plan. Mary combines careful pharmacologic care with psychotherapy and lifestyle strategies as appropriate, always tailoring treatment to each person’s medical history, goals, and whole-person needs.

Medication-focused approach

• Evidence-based pharmacotherapy: Mary uses current, research-supported medication strategies to treat mood, anxiety, sleep, and other psychiatric conditions, selecting and adjusting medications to maximize benefit while minimizing risk.
• Individualized, collaborative care plans: Medication decisions are made …jointly with patients — discussing indications, expected benefits, realistic timelines, alternatives, and clear measurable goals.
• Thorough patient education: She clearly explains how medications work, dosing schedules, likely benefits and onset, common and rare side effects, drug–drug and drug–medical condition interactions, and strategies for managing adverse effects.
• Careful initiation and titration: Mary emphasizes safe starting strategies, gradual titration, and close follow-up to assess response and tolerability.
• Ongoing monitoring and safety: Routine monitoring includes symptom tracking, side-effect assessment, metabolic and laboratory monitoring when indicated, attention to polypharmacy, and coordination with primary care and specialists.
• Consolidation, tapering, and discontinuation planning: When it’s time to reduce or stop medication, Mary supports gradual, evidence-informed tapering plans and relapse prevention strategies.
• Coordination of care: She works closely with therapists, primary care providers, specialists, and family supports to align medication plans with broader treatment goals.

Mary specializes in the following;

• Psychiatric medication management and medication education (stabilization, maintenance, and tapering)
• Mood disorders (depression, bipolar spectrum)
• Anxiety disorders and panic symptoms
• Sleep disturbances related to psychiatric conditions
• Medication optimization for older adults and those with complex medical histories
• Managing side effects, interactions, and polypharmacy concerns
• Life transitions and situational distress requiring short- or longer-term pharmacologic support
• Evidence-based psychotherapy and coping skills (used as adjuncts to medication when helpful)
• Lifestyle modifications and wellness planning that support medication effectiveness and overall mental health

Training and background

Mary completed her Bachelor of Nursing at SUNY Brockport and gained broad clinical experience in surgical, medical, and cardiac intensive care units. She earned her master’s degree in nursing from UNC Greensboro and national certification as an Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP-C). After clinical work with adults and seniors in long-term care and managed care, she pursued post-master’s psychiatric education at the University of Cincinnati and achieved national certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-C).

Philosophy

Mary believes in empowering patients with clear information and practical tools so they can make informed choices about medications and other treatments. Her goal is to help people achieve symptom relief and functional improvement through safe, individualized pharmacologic care integrated with the emotional and practical supports they need to thrive.