MEET THE STAFF
JoAnna VanVleet, D.O., FAPA
Dr. VanVleet is Board Certified in Psychiatry and Neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and a Fellow with the American Psychiatric Association. She attended Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, subsequently graduating with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Chemistry from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. Dr. VanVleet graduated from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Dr. VanVleet completed her four year psychiatric internship and residency training through Henry Ford Behavioral Health System in Detroit, Michigan. Dr. VanVleet is the Medical Director and primary practitioner at Florida Psychiatry Associates, an outpatient private practice in St. Lucie West, Florida serving the Center & Eastern Coast of Florida.
Dr. VanVleet is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and serves on several committees on behalf of the Florida Psychiatric Society. She is also a member of The American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry and American Society of Addiction Medicine.
Dr. VanVleet is married and resides in the St. Lucie West area. She enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, traveling, exercising, and other activities with family and friends.
Cara Yergen, MD, FAPA
Dr Yergen,is Board Certified in Psychiatry and Neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and a Fellow with the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Yergen was born and raised in Massachusetts and completed her residency training at the Institute of Living at Hartford Hospital. She spent her final year in residency as the chief psychiatry resident. Dr. Yergen has been practicing Psychiatry in Florida since 2009. In her years since training Dr. Yergen has practiced in many different settings giving her a solid well-rounded knowledge and experience base.
Dr. Yergen’s patients describe her as down-to-earth and approachable and report they feel comfortable confiding in her. She uses medications in a conservative manner and her philosophy in prescribing is to maintain patients on the least amount of medication necessary to achieve a positive effect. She minimizes the use of addictive prescription psychiatric medication as much as possible. Dr. Yergen prescribes stimulant medications and benzodiazepines only very cautiously secondary to addiction/dependence potential of these medications. Dr. Yergen encourages her patients to make behavioral changes to positively impact their quality of life. She practices evidenced based medicine and enjoys educating her patients. When she is not in the office helping others, she can be found at various FL road running races or riding space mountain with her husband.
Valerie Ferrara, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC
Valerie Ferrara is double boarded and certified as both a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner. Her goal is to create cohesive and lasting relationships with her patients. Her nursing career began in 2000 and she has over 20 years of experience in health care. She completed her Master of Science in Nursing and Post Master’s education at Florida Atlantic University. She has twelve years of experience as a Nurse Practitioner in family medicine and seven years in the mental health and addiction field. She is available for new patient appointments.
Call today to schedule your appointment.
Common issues addressed:
Depression
Adult ADD (18 and over)
Anxiety, chronic insomnia
Addiction
Bipolar disorder, mood swings, anger issues
Shana Roy, Executive Assistant
As Dr. VanVleet’s Executive Assistant, Shana is in charge of daily office operations. Her duties include; answering patients’ questions, assisting patients with registration forms, insurance authorization, arranging for payment, and scheduling appointments. She is the primary point of contact for other doctors, health care professionals and other organizations.