Meet the Team!
Nicole Allison, President, PMHNP
Nicole Allison is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with over 30 years of experience in the mental health field. She earned her undergraduate degree from Salve Regina University and went on to complete her Master’s in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing at the University of Rhode Island.
Nicole’s career spans a wide range of clinical settings, including inpatient psychiatric hospitals, college counseling centers, community mental health programs, and private practice. This depth of experience has shaped her well-rounded, compassionate approach to care—blending clinical expertise with a deep understanding of the unique challenges individuals face across different life stages and environments.
As the current owner and clinical director of West Bay Psychiatric Associates, Nicole brings both vision and heart to the practice. She is passionate about creating a supportive, inclusive space where patients can feel heard, empowered, and truly cared for. Her leadership is rooted in collaboration, integrity, and a strong belief in treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.
Brian Hickey, PMHNP
Arielle Rounds, PMHNP
Arielle Rounds is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with a strong foundation in comprehensive mental health care. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rhode Island College and her Master’s degree in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing from Regis College. Before transitioning to her full-time outpatient role at West Bay, Arielle spent over eight years at Butler Hospital, where she worked on inpatient psychiatric units and gained extensive experience in crisis stabilization, trauma-informed care, and complex psychiatric presentations.
Arielle’s clinical philosophy is grounded in the bio-psycho-social model, with a focus on treating the whole person (mind, body, lifestyle). Her approach integrates evidence-based psychopharmacology with holistic and lifestyle-oriented strategies to help clients manage stress, regulate mood, and build long-term wellness. She also offers personalized supplement based treatment plans (via Fullscript) including complementary options when appropriate. Her goal is to help clients feel better not just mentally, but physically and emotionally too.
Whether you're navigating anxiety, trauma, ADHD, mood instability, or burnout, Arielle is committed to co-creating a treatment plan that reflects your values, goals, and lived experiences. Her therapeutic style is collaborative, affirming, and modern, with a down-to-earth, real-world approach to healing. Healing isn’t one-size-fits-all- it’s about finding what truly works for you.
Katie Thayer, PMHNP
Katie is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with a deep passion for supporting children, adolescents, and families through their mental health journeys. Her interest in the field began early in her nursing career while working in the outpatient pediatric program at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, where she developed a strong foundation in compassionate, developmentally informed care.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rhode Island College and completed her Master’s degree in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing at Regis College. Katie’s clinical style is both scientifically grounded and holistically minded, blending evidence-based medication management with supportive therapy to create personalized, effective treatment plans.
When working with young clients, Katie believes that care must be tailored not just to the individual, but also to the family system. Her approach emphasizes open communication, collaboration, and flexibility—meeting children and teens where they are, while supporting parents and caregivers along the way. Through her calm presence and thoughtful guidance, Katie strives to create a safe, affirming space where healing and growth can take root.
Irene Dematteo, Psychiatric APRN
Irene is a seasoned psychiatric nurse practitioner well known for compassionate, patient-centered care. With years of experience in the mental health field, she brings both clinical expertise and a calming presence to her work, helping clients navigate their challenges with clarity, confidence, and support.
Irene takes a collaborative and holistic approach to treatment, working closely with each individual to explore the most effective strategies for symptom relief and long-term wellness. She blends evidence-based medication management with thoughtful lifestyle guidance, always tailoring care to fit each person’s unique needs and goals.
At the heart of Irene’s work is the belief that everyone deserves a treatment plan that not only reduces symptoms but also supports a fuller, more vibrant life. Her caring demeanor, open communication style, and commitment to quality care help foster a strong, trusting provider-patient relationship—one where healing and progress feel both possible and sustainable.
Alyssa Kortschinsky, PMHNP
Alyssa is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner who brings nearly a decade of hands-on experience in psychiatric nursing to her work with adult clients. She began her career at Butler Hospital, where she spent eight years caring for patients in acute inpatient settings. This strong clinical foundation continues to inform her thoughtful, steady approach to outpatient care.
Alyssa earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rhode Island College and her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Rhode Island. She provides evidence-based medication management for a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, PTSD, and bipolar disorder.
What sets Alyssa apart is her calm and genuinely down-to-earth presence. She brings a sense of ease and approachability to each session, creating a safe space where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered. Her style is both collaborative and supportive, and she often weaves in complementary strategies to help clients feel more balanced, mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Whether you're new to psychiatric care or looking to revisit your current treatment plan, Alyssa provides a safe & modern space, to meet you where you are and work with you to build something that feels both effective and sustainable.
Violet Morin, Ed.M, LMHC LMFT
Violet is a licensed mental health counselor and marriage & family therapist with over 40 years of experience in the mental health field. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Goddard College and earned her Master’s degree in Counseling and Consulting Psychology from Harvard University.
Throughout her extensive career, Violet has served not only as a clinician, but also as a respected Administrator, Program Director, and Clinical Supervisor, shaping and leading behavioral health programs across Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
Violet brings a trauma-informed, deeply compassionate lens to her work with individuals, couples, families, and groups. Her clinical expertise includes dual diagnosis, trauma and PTSD, disability-related mental health challenges, self-harm, mood disorders, and anxiety, with a long-standing commitment to helping clients navigate complex experiences with clarity and empowerment. She has developed and implemented co-occurring substance use and mental health programs in both inpatient and outpatient settings, including community clinics and correctional institutions—always with a focus on accessible, impactful care.
At the core of Violet’s work is a belief in the power of change. Whether working with individuals in crisis or guiding long-term growth, her style is thoughtful, collaborative, and firmly rooted in clinical wisdom earned through decades of service.
Amy, Office Manager
