About Us

Turnstone Psychiatry

Why did we name our practice after a bird?

Colleen and Sara initially sought a clinic name that reflected our shared connection to nature and love of all things outdoors. After much back and forth, we narrowed the search down to the bird kingdom because of the bird’s symbolism of freedom, healing, and connection to nature. Birds are often seen as messengers of hope and renewal, embodying the idea of rising above challenges and embracing new beginnings. This choice reflects our commitment to nurturing the well-being of our patients, encouraging them to soar toward their mental health goals. Additionally, birds represent the beauty of the natural world and the interconnectedness of all living things, aligning with our holistic approach to wellness. When we learned more about the turnstone, we knew we had found our moniker. By naming our clinic after this unique shorebird, we aim to inspire a sense of freedom and positivity in every aspect of your healing journey. The turnstone’s very name comes from its signature behavior of turning over stones to find food, which symbolizes the necessary task to look beyond the surface for hidden opportunities and resources. In our research, we also found that the turnstone’s ability to thrive in challenging environments represents resilience, change, adaptability, and resourcefulness. These “turnstone traits” are a reminder that change can bring new beginnings and growth. We want to help and encourage our patients to emulate the behavioral tendencies of a turnstone: dig deeper into situations and overcome fear in order to turn things upside down and uncover hidden potential.

Services we Provide

  • Psychiatric Evaluation

  • Diagnosis

  • Brief Psychotherapy

  • Prescription Medication/Medication Management

We offer full service psychiatric care for adults using HIPAA compliant video telemedicine for all appointments. Our providers are board certified and some have specialties in areas such as eating disorders or ADHD.

Conditions we Treat

  • ADHD

  • OCD

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Bipolar Disorder

  • Mood Disorders

  • Eating Disorders

  • Panic

  • Post Partum Depression

OUR TEAM

Founders

Sara Maurer, CNO, ARNP

Sara is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with extensive experience in both nursing and mental health care. Before transitioning into mental health, she spent over two decades as a registered nurse, working in hospital, residential, and outpatient settings. Sara's journey in mental health began with six years of dedicated work at a residential treatment center, specializing in the care of patients with eating disorders.

In addition to her expertise in eating disorders, Sara has a broad range of experience treating various psychiatric conditions, including anxiety, mood disorders, ADHD, OCD, and PTSD. She believes in the interconnectedness of mental and physical health, and her approach centers on understanding each individual's unique perspective. By actively listening to her patients and fostering a collaborative, nonjudgmental environment, Sara aims to create a safe space for healing.

Sara is committed to evidence-based practices and uses proven guidelines for diagnosis and treatment planning, incorporating both medication management and brief therapy to support her patients’ overall well-being.

Colleen Cary Verhey, CEO

With over eight years of leadership experience in the medical field, Colleen brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her work. For 35 years, she has been dedicated to her personal mental health journey, which fuels her commitment to supporting others in their quest for wellbeing and contentment.

Colleen's diverse background spans work as a biologist, scientific illustrator, accessories designer & creator, and as a para-educator for children with disabilities. Colleen has been a volunteer for wildlife re-habilitation, and grew up working on a commercial farm. This unique blend of experiences equips her with both the practical insights necessary for running a business and a compassionate approach essential for a mental health clinic.

Outside of work, Colleen enjoys cross-country skiing, hiking, gardening, sewing, and photography. She resides in Everett with her husband, stepson, and cat.

Providers

Lucy Potyomkin, ARNP

Lucy Potyomkin is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner offering comprehensive psychiatric assessments, medication management and brief therapy for individuals of all ages. Originally from Minsk, Belarus, Lucy is fluent in both Russian and English. Lucy graduated with a Master’s in Nursing and has been working in the field of mental health nursing since 2019. Lucy believes that mental health is a state of optimal wellness as opposed to only a lack of illness, Lucy employs evidence-based, holistic mental health practices and believes that improving mental health should encompass creating wellness in an individual’s entire being; this concept further incorporates social, physical, behavioral, psychological and environmental aspects of that individual. In providing patient-centered care, Lucy is committed to closely working with and supporting each individual in meeting their unique objectives aimed at achieving and sustaining optimal mental health. 

Jessie Enell, ARNP

Jessie is passionate about improving access to mental health treatment and providing compassionate, patient-centered care. She is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with 15 years experience in the mental health field. She was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and completed her Masters in Nursing at Seattle University. She has an educational background in addiction, worked for many years in a community mental health setting, and recently provided psychiatric care at a women’s health clinic. Jessie provides psychiatric evaluations and medication management for adults. She primarily treats anxiety and mood disorders. In addition to prescribing she provides psychoeducation and brief supportive therapy, addressing lifestyle factors that can impact mental health including nutrition, exercise, coping strategies, and relaxation techniques. She especially enjoys discussing cognitive behavioral therapy techniques for insomnia. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two young children.