Cierra Vaughters, PMHNP-BC (She/Her)
Director of Clinical Interventions, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Meet Cierra Vaughters, PMHNP-BC, Director of Clinical Interventions and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at Innovative Treatment Centers specializing in mood disorders, trauma, anxiety, and ADHD.
The person behind the care
About Cierra
Cierra Vaughters wants the people she cares for to know one thing from the beginning: you have someone in your corner.
For Cierra, that means more than simply providing treatment. It means listening closely, bringing patience and calm into difficult moments, and creating a space where people feel safe enough to be honest about what they are experiencing. She knows some days are heavier than others, and she finds purpose in being someone who can stand beside a person on those days while helping them work toward better ones.
Cierra's Education & Training:
- Degree: Associate of Science (AS), Nursing, Community College of Baltimore County
- Degree: Bachelor of Science (BS), Nursing, Frostburg State University
- Degree: Master of Science (MS), Nursing, York College of Pennsylvania
- Credential: Licensed as Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Cierra
At a Glance
Population Served
Children, Adolescents, Adults
Languages
English
Availability
In-Person, Telehealth
Clinical Interests
Mood Disorders, Trauma, Anxiety Disorders, ADHD
Therapeutic Approach
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Somatic Approaches
Her Approach
Creating space for change
Cierra's approach is collaborative, curious, and grounded in the belief that understanding ourselves can create room for change. She especially enjoys helping people make connections between what they are feeling, where certain behaviors or patterns may come from, and what they can begin doing differently. Rather than simply telling someone what needs to change, Cierra works alongside them to build skills, recognize patterns, and find a path forward that feels possible in their own life.
Cierra's path into healthcare began with a fascination with the brain and an unexpected connection through dance. After dancing for more than 20 years, she had the opportunity to perform at several children's hospitals, experiences that helped inspire her to enter healthcare. Her path later brought her to the float pool at Sheppard Pratt and the psychiatric emergency department at MedStar, where she cared for people across different ages, diagnoses, and stages of treatment. Through it all, Cierra learned just how differently mental health struggles can show up from one person to another and the importance of meeting each person with patience, compassion, and a willingness to listen first. Today, that same curiosity continues to shape her work, along with a growing interest in play therapy and EMDR.
Outside of the clinic, Cierra still loves dancing, along with hiking, reading, playing video games, and her newest adventure, gardening. A perfect free day might include reading outside, a little mindless television, and time playing games with her family. But nothing brings her more joy than her son, a college basketball athlete. Hearing good things about him and watching him grow are among the moments that brighten her days most.
For Cierra, hope means helping someone understand that they are not alone in what they are carrying. Better days may take work to reach, but she believes they are worth working toward, and that having someone beside you, listening, encouraging you, and staying in your corner can make the road there feel a little less heavy.
The Light sHe Hopes You Find
“You cannot pour from an empty cup.”
- Cierra
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cierra Vaughters treat ADHD?
Yes. ADHD is one of Cierra's areas of clinical interest, alongside mood disorders, trauma, and anxiety disorders.
What therapeutic approaches does Cierra Vaughters use?
Cierra uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Somatic Approaches.
What age groups does Cierra Vaughters see?
Cierra sees children, adolescents, and adults.
Is Cierra Vaughters available for telehealth appointments?
Yes. Cierra is available both in-person and via telehealth.
Where did Cierra go to school and what are Cierra's credentials?
Cierra earned an Associate of Science in Nursing from the Community College of Baltimore County, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Frostburg State University, and a Master of Science in Nursing from York College of Pennsylvania. She is licensed as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
