Kristine Pine donovan, PMHNP-BC

Kristine Pine donovan, PMHNP-BCKristine Pine donovan, PMHNP-BCKristine Pine donovan, PMHNP-BCKristine Pine donovan, PMHNP-BC

Supporting Adults 18-65+

with Medication & Therapy Options

Book An Appointment at Headway

Kristine Pine donovan, PMHNP-BC

Kristine Pine donovan, PMHNP-BCKristine Pine donovan, PMHNP-BCKristine Pine donovan, PMHNP-BCKristine Pine donovan, PMHNP-BC

Supporting Adults 18-65+

with Medication & Therapy Options

Book An Appointment at Headway

Hi, I'm Kristine Pine Donovan, PMHNP-BC.


I provide compassionate, individualized outpatient mental health care for adults, integrating psychotherapy and/or psychopharmacology tailored to each patient’s needs and goals. I primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing to help patients build practical skills and foster sustainable change, while also offering Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy when indicated.


I work with adults experiencing:


  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
     
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
     
  • Binge Eating Disorder
     
  • Bipolar Disorder
     
  • Borderline Personality Disorder
     
  • Bulimia Nervosa
     
  • Excoriation (Skin-Picking) Disorder
     
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
     
  • Insomnia Disorder
     
  • Major Depressive Disorder
     
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
     
  • Panic Disorder
     
  • Postpartum depression (mood changes after childbirth)
     
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
     
  • Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
     
  • Psychotic Disorders
     
  • Social Anxiety Disorder
     
  • Tic Disorders
     
  • Tourette Syndrome
     
  • Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder)
     

I customize treatment plans for each patient, emphasizing skills, coping strategies, and sustainable symptom management. When needs extend beyond outpatient care, I facilitate referrals to specialized services, including:


  • Inpatient or partial hospitalization programs
     
  • Eating disorder clinics with medical monitoring
     
  • Neurocognitive assessment or neurology-linked care teams
     
  • Substance use disorder programs with detox or residential care


 

Please note new practice hours are in effect as of February 17, 2026! 


To better serve clients with busy schedules, I am updating my practice hours to include evenings and weekends:


  • Weekdays: 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM
     
  • Weekends (Saturday & Sunday): 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
     

These changes are designed to make mental health care more accessible for individuals who work traditional hours or have daytime commitments. 


Appointments can be scheduled through Headway or Alma, and I will do my best to offer times that fit your schedule.

FAQ Insights

You can schedule appointments and consultations through either Headway or Alma. Both platforms offer the same clinical services; the difference is simply the scheduling and insurance system used.


Headway is an insurance-native platform that simplifies appointment booking, insurance verification, and communication, allowing you to focus on your care without administrative hassles. I offer consultations at Headway in 15-minute increments. I must be notified in Headway platform or by phone/email that you are interested in scheduling a consultation. Consultation hours are generally between 2pm-6pm, M-F. Consultations are not required, however, for an intake session. You are free to schedule an intake session without a prior consultation. Intake sessions require 48-hour notification, are one hour in length, and any follow-ups are generally 30 minutes in duration. Please note insurance verification initially takes between 3-5 business days before we can verify an intake session and may periodically require reverification. 


You can schedule your first intake session at Headway a few ways: 


  • Create your account and schedule directly through Headway
     
  • OR leave your name, email, and phone number on my HIPAA-compliant voicemail at (323) 421-4882
     
  • OR click the "EMAIL US" button at the bottom of this page to request information or schedule a session
     


Alma is a secure platform where you can schedule appointments, complete intake forms, and manage sessions all in one place. You may schedule 15-minute consultation sessions on the Alma website in the scheduled hours provided, which are generally 2-6pm, M-F.  If it is determined we are compatible after a consultation, a mutual agreed-upon intake session will be set, typically within the week and after insurance verification. If you are interested in joining Alma, below is a set of instructions for creating your account.  


  1. Visit the Alma signup page or use the Alma link provided on this website
     
  2. Click Sign Up and enter your name, email, and phone number
     
  3. Create a secure password and verify your email
     
  4. Once your account is active, schedule and manage appointments directly through Alma
     


Once you’ve created your Headway profile and submitted your insurance information, insurance verification typically takes 3 to 5 business days. Headway may verify automatically or reach out to your insurance provider directly.


After verification, scheduling an appointment depends on my availability but usually can be booked within 24 to 48 hours.


I respond to inquiries within 24 hours during business hours (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.) to assist with any questions or information needed.


Before your first session, you will receive secure intake paperwork through Headway. This paperwork collects important details like your medical and psychosocial history—plus all necessary consents, financial responsibility agreements, and practice policies. Completing these promptly ensures your appointment runs smoothly and efficiently.


In summary, from profile creation to attending your first session usually takes about 4 to 7 business days—3 to 5 days for insurance verification, plus 1 to 2 days to schedule the appointment slot.

 

We accept the following insurance plans to make care accessible and affordable for a wide range of clients:


Alma:

  • Cigna
  • Aetna
  • Optum, will be in effect 2/1/2026
  • Magellan is not currently accepted at Alma 
  • BCBS not currently accepted


Headway:


  • Aetna
  • Anthem
  • Carelon Behavioral Health
  • Cigna 
  • Magellan
  • Quest Behavioral Health
  • Independence Blue Cross Pennsylvania
  • Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
  • United Healthcare/Optum (pending, please check back 2/1/26)
  • Oxford/Optum (pending, please check back on 2/1/26)


 

             Unfortunately, we do not currently accept Kaiser Permanente clients at this time. 


Since you are already on donovamentalhealth.com, you can easily verify if your insurance is accepted, get an estimate of session costs, and book your appointment as follows:


On this page, click BOOK AN APPOINTMENT, which will redirect you to my full Headway profile, Kristine Donovan - Nurse Practitioner, PMHNP-BC | Headway. 


Once there, scroll down and click Get an instant price estimate. Here, you can upload images of your insurance card or enter your insurance details manually. This allows the system to check your coverage and provide an estimated session cost before booking.


Both options lead to the same Headway page and make it easy to confirm your insurance and book your appointment without leaving donovamentalhealth.com.

 

An intake session is the initial meeting between you and a mental health provider. It is designed to gather detailed information about your psychosocial background, medical and psychiatric history, current symptoms, and any prior treatments. This session helps the provider understand your unique situation, build rapport, and collaboratively discuss the best path forward for your treatment. Typically lasting about 60 minutes, the intake focuses on assessing your needs, setting treatment goals, and planning the next steps in your care.


Before the intake session, you will complete screening forms and assessments to provide important background information about your history and current condition. This preparation allows your provider to review your information in advance so that the session time can be dedicated to discussing your specific concerns and goals.


Medication is not always required. Whether medication is part of your treatment depends on your individual situation and symptom severity. Many people benefit from therapeutic approaches such as Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which can be used alone or along with medication. Your treatment will be personalized, and you will play an active role in decisions to find the best approach that supports your mental health and wellness goals.

 

Follow-up appointments are generally scheduled about once per month, with adjustments based on your individual needs and treatment plan. Once symptoms and medication doses stabilize, follow-up intervals may extend to every three months, depending on the medication prescribed. This decision is always mutually agreed upon by both provider and client to support a collaborative care approach.

 

Clients experiencing mood instability, such as those with bipolar disorder, typically require more frequent visits to closely monitor symptoms and adjust treatment as needed. Similarly, clients tapering from benzodiazepines require gradual dose reductions with more frequent follow-ups to ensure safety and minimize withdrawal effects.

 

For clients prescribed ADHD medication, monthly follow-ups are indicated for both controlled and non-controlled treatment approaches until an optimal dose is achieved, and symptoms are stabilized. After stabilization, follow-ups may be scheduled every three months at the provider’s discretion. This policy is subject to change based on clinical judgment and individual client needs.


Additionally, if there are suspicions of diversion, misuse, or other safety concerns, the provider may increase the frequency of monitoring and follow-up visits accordingly.


Updated January 2025 – Telehealth Prescribing of Controlled Medications:
Federal authorities (the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA, working with the Department of Health and Human Services) have extended the telemedicine rules that allow licensed practitioners to prescribe controlled medications, including stimulant medications for ADHD, during a telehealth visit without requiring an initial in-person exam. This means that, under current federal guidance, I can prescribe controlled substances such as stimulants via telehealth when clinically appropriate, as long as all prescription laws and safety standards are met. These telemedicine prescribing flexibilities continue through at least the end of 2026 while permanent regulations are finalized 



Yes, if a client experiences significant side effects or urgent concerns, earlier follow-up appointments can be arranged beyond the scheduled plan to address these promptly.

As a licensed PMHNP in California, I provide Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letters, which are legal documentation under California law (AB 468 / Health & Safety Code § 122318). ESA letters document that a client has a mental or emotional health condition and that an emotional support animal is clinically recommended as part of their therapeutic plan. By law, ESA letters require an established client-provider relationship of at least 30 days (except for verified homelessness), a thorough clinical evaluation, provider license information, and the legally required fraud warning about misrepresenting the animal as a service dog. Letters are issued only after evaluating clinical appropriateness and are not guaranteed. ESA letters are most commonly used for housing accommodations and clients are encouraged to provide any relevant documentation from landlords or housing providers. Typical turnaround time is 48 hours, and a fee is applied due to the professional evaluation, time, and liability involved.


It is important to note that ESAs have legal protections for housing accommodations under California law and the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA), but do not have public access rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This means ESAs generally cannot accompany clients into places like restaurants, stores, or other public venues where pets are not allowed.


For Psychiatric Service Dogs (PSDs), I provide referral letters rather than formal legal documentation. PSDs differ from ESAs because they are dogs trained to perform specific tasks or work related to a person’s psychiatric disability. This training qualifies them as service dogs under both California law and the ADA, granting PSDs broader legal protections including the right to access most public places. Referral letters confirm a qualifying diagnosis and support the dog’s training or use but do not alone guarantee housing accommodations or public access rights; these rights depend primarily on the dog’s specialized task training. Referral letters are usually provided at no cost and are most useful for clients working with service dog trainers or organizations. Clients should provide any relevant training plans or organization information to ensure accurate referrals. Turnaround time is typically 48 hours.

This website is not intended to provide emergency care. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 911 immediately, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or dial 988.

Yes. All communications through this website—including email, contact forms, and scheduling inquiries—are conducted via HIPAA-compliant systems designed to safeguard your privacy and protect your protected health information (PHI). These systems use encryption, secure servers, and access controls to ensure that your personal health information remains confidential and is accessed only by authorized personnel, fully complying with federal HIPAA regulations. 

No, the information on this website is not a substitute for professional care. 


This website does not establish a provider-client relationship. Kristine Donovan, PMHNP-BC, cannot be considered your healthcare provider solely through your use of this website.


A formal provider-client relationship is established only after both parties mutually agree to proceed with treatment, including the completion and signing of all applicable policies, procedures, and consent forms. This process ensures that there is a clear understanding of treatment goals, responsibilities, confidentiality, and financial agreements, in compliance with legal and ethical standards.


The primary purpose of this website is to provide general information about the mental health conditions treated by Kristine Donovan, answer common questions regarding scheduling and insurance, and securely receive inquiries. Additionally, this website connects you to Headway, a HIPAA-compliant third-party platform that facilitates insurance verification and appointment scheduling.


Kristine Donovan is a licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in California, authorized under state law and professional practice standards to perform psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, medication management, and psychotherapy for adults. The information provided on this website is intended for general educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Practice policies are subject to change, and clients will be notified promptly of any updates affecting scheduling or treatment protocols. 

my Story

 

I, Kristine Pine Donovan, am a Board-Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and the founder of my outpatient private practice, where I provide compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric care for adults. My approach integrates psychotherapy and psychopharmacology, tailored to each individual’s unique goals and circumstances. Central to my philosophy is helping patients understand the “why” behind their mental health — how neurobiology, genetics, development, environment, and medications interact to shape symptoms, coping patterns, and capacity for change. When patients grasp these connections, treatment becomes collaborative, informed, and empowering, rather than opaque or prescriptive.


I earned my Master of Science in Nursing from California State University, Long Beach in 2023, where my advanced psychiatric training emphasized evidence-based care, diagnostic formulation, and critical appraisal of emerging research. During my graduate training, I provided outpatient psychiatric services across multiple clinical settings, including private practice environments, working with children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients through both in-person and telehealth visits. This experience across the lifespan reinforced the importance of adapting treatment to developmental stage, context, and individual strengths rather than applying a single clinical model.


In parallel, I trained with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health’s HOME Program, providing outpatient and community-based services to adults with serious mental illness, including schizophrenia spectrum disorders and severe mood disorders. Many of the individuals I supported faced layered clinical complexity shaped by trauma, substance use, and structural barriers to care. This work strengthened my skills in engagement, risk assessment, and trauma-informed care, and deepened my understanding of how social context influences psychiatric outcomes.


At Foresight Mental Health, my outpatient work spanned mood, anxiety, trauma-related, and neurodevelopmental disorders. I developed a concentrated clinical focus on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and obsessive-compulsive symptom patterns, particularly where these conditions intersect with anxiety, depression, autism spectrum features, and repetitive behaviors. Some patients also presented with neurologic comorbidities, such as seizure disorders, traumatic brain injury, or chronic migraine, which required coordination with neurology and thoughtful integration of psychiatric and neurologic considerations into treatment planning.


My clinical perspective has further been shaped by my work as a crisis counselor with Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services’ 24/7 Suicide Prevention Center, where I provided acute support to individuals experiencing suicidal ideation and emotional crisis. This experience refined my approach to safety planning, grounding, and structured clinical decision-making, and continues to inform how I address risk and stabilization in outpatient care.


Across inpatient, residential, outpatient, and community-based settings, I bring over five years of experience in psychiatric care. This breadth allows me to bridge acute stabilization with longer-term, skills-based recovery, while maintaining a strong emphasis on psychoeducation, shared decision-making, and evidence-based treatment.


I am currently welcoming new adult clients (ages 18–65) for outpatient care. 


If my approach resonates with you, sessions can be scheduled through Headway or Alma, with most major insurances accepted. 

Notes from Practice

Call (323) 421-4882 FOR MORE INFORMATIONEMAIL KRISTINEDONOVAN@DONOVANMENTALHEALTH.COM

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Copyright © 2025 Kristine Donovan, PMHNP-BC  - All Rights Reserved.

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