Thoughtful psychiatric care for one of life’s most important transitions.
Supporting mental health through pregnancy, postpartum, and the reproductive years requires both clinical expertise and deep respect for the trust patients place in their care team.
Meet Clarissa Martinez, DNP, PMHNP-BC
I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specializing in reproductive psychiatry. I support individuals and growing families through preconception, pregnancy, postpartum, and other major life transitions, providing thoughtful, personalized care for a wide range of mental health concerns.
My approach is collaborative, detail-oriented, and grounded in both evidence-based medicine and genuine compassion. I consider it a privilege to be part of someone’s healthcare team — particularly during moments that carry so much emotional and physical change.
My goal is simple: to help patients feel stable, supported, and confident as they navigate this stage of life.
-
My path to this work developed through years of caring for individuals across community, inpatient, psychiatric emergency, and outpatient settings.
During that time, I saw firsthand how vulnerable the reproductive years can be — and how difficult it is to find mental health care that fully understands the medical, emotional, and hormonal changes involved in pregnancy and postpartum life.
Over time, my work naturally centered on reproductive mental health, where thoughtful, knowledgeable support can profoundly impact not only the individual but the entire family.
Supporting patients through pregnancy and the postpartum period is work I approach with humility and deep respect for the trust placed in me.
-
I earned my Doctor of Nursing Practice from Columbia University and completed clinical training at Bellevue Hospital, where I gained experience caring for individuals with complex psychiatric needs across diverse clinical environments.
I later received specialized training in reproductive psychiatry at Brooklyn Parent Support, a perinatal mental health clinic dedicated to supporting families during pregnancy and postpartum.
My clinical background includes inpatient psychiatry, psychiatric emergency care, and outpatient treatment settings. This experience allows me to provide comprehensive care for both acute concerns and ongoing mental health needs.
Before becoming a nurse practitioner, I spent eight years working as a project coordinator for the cancer prevention program at Mount Sinai Hospital, helping expand access to breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening throughout New York City.
That experience strengthened my commitment to preventive care, patient education, and supporting individuals as they make complex health decisions — values that continue to shape how I practice today.
-
Mental health treatment during reproductive transitions often involves complex decisions.
Patients deserve clear information, thoughtful guidance, and space to ask questions without judgment.
Appointments are collaborative and supportive. While psychotherapy is not offered within the practice, visits provide time to address both medication needs and the psychosocial stressors that often accompany this stage of life.
Treatment plans are personalized and may include:
Careful medication evaluation and management
Education about risks and benefits during pregnancy or breastfeeding
Consideration of non-pharmacologic supports alongside medication
Ongoing follow-up to adjust care as life evolves
My goal is for patients to feel informed, empowered, and confident in the decisions they make about their mental health.
What Patients Often Say
Patients often share that they feel heard, understood, and supported throughout their care.
Many appreciate the attention to detail, collaborative decision-making, and the balance between clinical expertise and warmth during a vulnerable time.
Outside the Appointment Room
Mental health care works best when it feels grounded in trust and partnership.
I believe in meeting patients where they are, offering steady support, and helping individuals reconnect with a sense of stability and well-being — not only for themselves, but for the families and futures they are building.
Begin Care With Confidence
If you are seeking specialized psychiatric support during pregnancy, postpartum, or another reproductive transition, I invite you to learn more about services or schedule an appointment.