Internal medicine practitioners
Melissa Karaffa, APRN-CNP
Melissa Karaffa, APRN-CNP, is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at SSM Health Behavioral Health (Angela Center) in Centralia, IL. Melissa is trained to prescribe and manage medications that can complement therapy and address mental health concerns effectively. She works to address a comprehensive array of mental, emotional, and behavioral health issues that can significantly impact a person's well-being and daily functioning. Her areas of expertise include but are not limited to trauma, where she helps clients process and heal from past experiences; depression and anxiety, which can manifest in various forms and affect one’s quality of life; panic disorders that create intense periods of fear or discomfort; and bipolar disorder, which requires careful management of mood fluctuations. She works with individuals experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, social phobias, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), chronic stress, and other related conditions. Our approach is holistic, focusing on the individual as a whole and adapting her therapeutic techniques to meet each patient’s unique needs. She works alongside the counselors as part of an integrated approach to help ensure that patients receive comprehensive care aimed at promoting their mental and emotional well-being.