Laura Banks-Starks

I chose to become a psychiatric provider because I believe mental health is an essential part of overall wellness, and everyone deserves compassionate, respectful, and culturally responsive care. Throughout my years in psychiatric and behavioral health, I have seen how deeply mental health challenges can affect individuals, families, relationships, and everyday life. I wanted to be part of creating meaningful change—helping people feel heard, understood, and empowered while providing the support, treatment, and guidance they need to move forward and live healthier, more fulfilling lives.

I work best with adults who are ready to better understand themselves, improve their mental health, and take meaningful steps toward change. I enjoy working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, trauma, mood concerns, and life stressors. I especially value working with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds and those who may have felt misunderstood or unheard in previous healthcare experiences. My goal is to create a safe, inclusive environment where we can work together toward greater stability, confidence, and overall wellness.

I want every client to know that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Healing is not always a straight line, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to mental health. Your experiences are unique, and your treatment should be too. Progress begins with being honest about where you are today, and together, we can take realistic steps toward where you want to be. You don’t have to have everything figured out before asking for help—you simply have to be willing to take the first step.

During our first session, clients can expect a welcoming, judgment-free environment where we take the time to get to know you—not just your diagnosis. We’ll discuss your concerns, mental health history, current symptoms, medications, personal experiences, and goals for treatment. I’ll answer your questions and work with you to develop an individualized plan that may include therapy, medication management, or a combination of both. In the early stages, we’ll focus on building trust, identifying what is most important to you, and creating practical steps toward meaningful progress and improved wellness.

My practice is guided by compassion, respect, inclusivity, and the belief that every person deserves to be heard and treated with dignity. As a minority psychiatric nurse practitioner with extensive experience in psychiatric and behavioral health, I understand the importance of culturally responsive care and recognizing that each person’s experiences can shape how they view mental health and healing. I bring an open mind, genuine empathy, and a commitment to individualized care. I believe in meeting clients where they are, building trust, and partnering with them to create meaningful, achievable goals for their mental health and overall wellness.

I tailor therapy by first taking the time to understand each client as an individual—their concerns, personal history, culture, strengths, challenges, and goals. I do not believe in a one-sizefits-all approach. Together, we identify what is working, what needs to change, and which therapeutic strategies best fit the client’s needs and comfort level. I adjust treatment as progress is made and, when appropriate, incorporate medication management alongside therapy. My goal is to provide culturally responsive, practical, and compassionate care that helps each client make meaningful progress toward lasting wellness.