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 Mental Health 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.
Arielle's approach is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in the belief that meaningful mental health care should be individualized. She combines evidence-based medication management with practical lifestyle strategies to help clients improve focus, emotional well-being, resilience, and overall quality of life. Her goal is to create a supportive space where clients feel understood, empowered, and actively involved in their treatment.
While Arielle works with a variety of mental health concerns, she has a particular passion for supporting adults with ADHD, especially women, working professionals, and busy moms. She understands that ADHD can often be overlooked or diagnosed later in life, particularly in high-functioning individuals who have spent years compensating for symptoms behind the scenes. Arielle enjoys helping clients gain clarity, recognize their strengths, and develop sustainable strategies that make daily life feel more manageable and fulfilling.
Whether you're navigating ADHD, anxiety, depression, mood-related concerns, stress, or burnout, Arielle is committed to creating a treatment plan that aligns with your goals, values, and lifestyle. She believes that healing is not one-size-fits-all—it’s about finding an approach that works for you.
As part of her holistic philosophy, Arielle also offers personalized supplement recommendations through Fullscript and may incorporate complementary wellness strategies when appropriate to support overall mental and physical well-being.
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.
JARON KEOUGH, PMHNP
Jaron is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with more than 11 years of experience in psychiatric nursing and mental health care. He specializes in treating children, adolescents, and young adults ages 6–35, helping patients manage ADHD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and other behavioral and emotional concerns.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Rhode Island and his Master of Science in Nursing from Regis College. Jaron is known for his calm, approachable, and down-to-earth style, creating a supportive environment where patients feel heard, respected, and comfortable discussing their concerns.
Jaron believes in keeping medication to a minimum whenever appropriate while maximizing personalized, evidence-based care. His treatment approach combines medication management with recommendations for psychotherapy, healthy lifestyle habits, exercise, nutrition, and other holistic strategies to support overall well-being.
Whether you are seeking support for yourself or your child, Jaron is dedicated to meeting you where you are and helping you move forward with confidence on your mental health journey. He welcomes new patients and looks forward to partnering with you in your care.
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
