Dr. Cynthia N. Epperson

Professional Summary: Maria is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with specialized expertise in integrative psychiatric care. Combining a deep understanding of traditional mental health treatments with holistic and alternative approaches, she offers a comprehensive, individualized approach to mental wellness. Maria is passionate about providing personalized, compassionate care that addresses the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—ensuring that clients feel supported in every aspect of their mental health journey.With training in both conventional psychiatric treatments and integrative modalities, Maria works with patients to create balanced treatment plans that incorporate evidence-based therapies, mindfulness practices, nutrition counseling, and lifestyle interventions. A firm believer in the mind-body connection, she will incorporate techniques such as meditation, yoga, acupuncture, hormone balance/restoration, and nutrition adjustments alongside psychiatric medications, tailoring each plan to fit the unique needs and preferences of the individual.Key Areas of Expertise:• Mood disorders (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder)• Anxiety and stress management• Holistic approaches to mental health• Integrative treatment planning (medications, therapies, mindfulness, nutrition, deficiencies, genetic testing, lab testing)• Chronic mental health conditions (e.g., PTSD, OCD)• Patient-centered care and advocacy• Mindfulness-based interventi. Ms. Pontiero is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Her top areas of expertise are Processing Deficient Progeroid Laminopathies (PDPL), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Insomnia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).