About ME

Vanessa Barisano PMHNP-BC, MSN, PMH-C

As a Women’s Mental Health Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, my mission is to ensure that all women and mothers feel worthy of receiving mental health care—free from fear or judgment. My practice focuses on thoughtful medication management combined with supportive, individualized counseling tailored to each patient’s unique needs.

I am bilingual in English and Spanish and have experience treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, panic disorder, OCD, trauma, PTSD, ADHD, and borderline personality disorder.

I have specialized training in pregnancy and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, and I use an evidence-based approach that integrates current research, clinical expertise, and each patient’s personal values. Together, we carefully consider the risks and benefits of treatment options, including those that are safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Whether you are planning for pregnancy, currently pregnant, postpartum, or navigating the “empty nest” stage, I am here to support you. I am deeply passionate about helping women move through life’s transitions with compassion, empathy, and expert care.

I look forward to partnering with you on your journey toward wellness and vitality!

Education

Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry Program

Psychiatric Disorders in Women: Diagnostic and Treatment Considerations Across the Female Lifespan

Stony Brook University
Degree - MSN, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, cum laude

Specializing in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing

College of Mount Saint Vincent
Degree Name - BSN, Nursing & Psychology, Double Major

Leadership

Design/Coordination of Perinatal Mood/Anxiety Disorder Program at Nassau University Medical Center
Mental Health Collaborative Task Force Member in coordination with the Department of Health

Publications and Media Appearances

Woodbury Magazine
- "One Women's Battle with Postpartum Depression"
Newsday - Perinatal Depression
- https://www.newsday.com/long-island/post-partum-depression-1.18519082
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
- Poster presentation -“Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders in First-time Mothers”
Channel 12 - Long Island Naturally
- Interview with news reporter Mary Mucci- “Non- Pharmacologic” treatment for PMAD
CBS Early Show
- “OB Nurse speaks about her battle with Pregnancy Depression”
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/baby-blues-not-just-post-partum-12-02-2007/
https://stti.confex.com/stti/congrs19/webprogram/Paper100747.html
https://www.numc.edu/press/nuhealth-launches-bilingual-pregnancy-and-postpartum-depressionanxiety-support-group-at-numc/

Awards

“Certificate of Appreciation”
- Awarded by Suffolk County Legislature Kate Browning for fundraising efforts in the field of Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders
“Volunteer of the Year"
- Awarded by the Postpartum Resource Center of NY

TRAINING CREDENTIALS

The Postpartum Stress Center

The Art of Holding Perinatal Women in Distress™: Assessment, Treatment, & Advanced Clinical Practice

Postpartum Support International

Advanced Perinatal

Psychopharmacology, Part 1 Advanced Perinatal

Psychopharmacology, Part 2

Seleni

National Curriculum in Reproductive Psychiatry

Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders, Perinatal Loss & Grief

National Curriculum in Reproductive Psychiatry

Women’s Health Across the Lifespan, Pregnancy and Postpartum

Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry Academy

Advances in the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders: Innovations and Future Directions

Postpartum Resource Center of New York

Postpartum Resource Center of New York's Circle of Caring Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression/Anxiety Facilitator Training

Postpartum Resource Center of New York's Moms on Call Volunteer Training

Postpartum Resource Center of New York's Volunteer Orientation Training

Interpersonal Psychotherapy Institute

Level A: IPT Perinatal Course