About Open Minds

Bridging the gap between mental health therapy and medication.

For years there has been a disconnect between the mental and medical health worlds leaving people to feel:

confused
misdiagnosed
frustrated
misunderstood
and without an effective plan of care.

Our nurse practitioners aim to bridge that gap.

Live your best life.

Open Minds offers mental health therapy and mental health pharmacology to patients of all ages, making it easy and safe to get the personalized treatment you deserve.

About Sheri

DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC

Throughout her years of experience, Sheri has observed a gap between primary care and mental health care. Often, primary care providers prescribe medications for mental health conditions without the knowledge or insight of a mental health therapist. Sheri aims to connect these two services in mental health care and believes it is imperative for positive patient outcomes.

Sheri began her career in nursing school and now holds six degrees, including her Doctorate of Nursing. She is a licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and a certified life coach. Sheri has also taught at King University, the University of Cincinnati, and East Tennessee State University.

Sheri is a member of many professional organizations such as the American Psychiatric Nurse Association, National Association for Healthcare Quality, American College of Healthcare Executives, Tennessee Organization of Nurse Executives, American Nurses Association, Tennessee Nurses Association, and more.

And of course, Sheri credits her loving dog, Raven, with supporting her throughout this process.

About Whitley

MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC

Whitley is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with experience managing patients with complex medical and psychiatric histories in multiple settings. Whitley works with all psychiatric diagnoses and age groups but has a special interest in trauma- informed care. She is passionate about whole body wellness and committed to providing holistic mental health care to those in need, regardless of background.

Whitley believes each person is unique and deserves a personalized treatment plan. Her goal is to work with you to optimize your emotional and physical well-being. Whitley's office is a safe, non-judgmental environment open to all.

About Brittany

BS Clinical Assistant

Brittany Cude has a bachelors degree from Texas A&M University in Biomedical Sciences with minors in neuroscience and psychology. She is currently a nursing student at King University and plans to continue her education to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner (PMHNP).

While she may not be able to treat patients just yet–she is dedicated to making sure patients have all of
their needs fulfilled and acts as a liaison between providers and their patients outside of appointments.

About Nicole

CPC

Nicole Shores is the Practice Administrator for Open Minds Psychiatric and Mental Health Services, bringing with her 17 years of experience in insurance, billing, and medical coding. In her leisure time, she enjoys playing with her two dogs and cherishing moments with her husband, Mark, their two wonderful children, Preston and Savanah, and their grandson, Easton. Nicole is eagerly looking forward to welcoming you to the office soon.

About Raven

Support Staff

Raven is a golden doodle, who loves to come with Sheri to the office to cheer up her patients (unless they’d prefer Raven stay home that day). Raven understands the importance of self care, and enjoys her exercise and a good treat at the end of a long day of patient care.

A Note from Sheri:

Reflecting on my years in academia, obtaining my post-masters as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) has led me to my true calling. I have witnessed too many people in need of mental healthcare who, for various reasons, have not had access to or have been afraid to pursue care due to associated stigmas. I have listened to a force bigger than myself which has led me to pursue my practice so that I can help those in need of this specific level of care.

We believe everyone deserves full-spectrum mental health care. If you are interested in having a conversation to learn more, please reach out today. We are here to make it easier for you to have the best life possible.

With hope,

Sheri

Open Minds has really help me develop the skills and gave me the resources to begin addressing my mental health in a way that is so personable and destigmatized. I truly appreciate the amazing work being done here and the awesome psychiatrist that has been helping me. Would highly recommend for anyone looking for a mental health service provider who meets you where you are, truly without judgement and treats you like a human being while helping you grow.

Wonderful experience from scheduling to post appointment phone call. I am truly happy I found this place to help me heal Dr. Sheri is an amazing listener and takes all of your information ro make an informed diagnosis that allows her to create an individualized treatment plan.

Since coming under Dr. Sheri's care, my mental health has made a 180-degree turn. She has called to check on me multiple times between appointments and has had me come by so that she could personally keep an eye on my blood pressure while we worked to get my medications right. It is with 100% confidence that I recommend that anyone struggling with mental health make an appointment with her today!