Creating a safe and healing space that promotes wellness
Heal Wellness strives to shift the paradigm of mental health from one of illness to a model of wellness. A holistic approach to mental health looks at the whole person. Clients’ emotional, physical, and spiritual needs are just as important as a diagnosis.
Heal Wellness offers quality services with the goal of improving health equity in mental health for all from an intersectional lens.
Flo Leighton, Founder
Nurse Practitioner, Therapist, Educator, Mainer
Proud Momma, Afro-Caribbean,Asian, First Generation American
Virgo, Boss-lady, Cancer Survivor, Goofball, Healing Overachiever
She/Her/Hers
Born and raised in the vibrant state of New York, I thrived amidst the energy and excitement of working in academic medical institutions and universities in New York City. As a dedicated healthcare worker, I faced the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic head-on, working tirelessly to support my community during a time of crisis.
The tragic killing of George Floyd in 2020 was another pivotal moment that ignited a deep sense of urgency within me. As a member of the BIPOC community, I felt compelled to take action and contribute to the fight against systemic racism and injustice.
In response, I became actively involved in advocacy and support efforts, using my voice to call for meaningful change. I actively engage in dialogues about racial equality, and support initiatives aimed at dismantling inequities within the healthcare system and beyond. This moment of reckoning reinforced my commitment to fostering a more just and inclusive society, both professionally and personally.
Seeking a change in my personal life and a breath of fresh air, I made the courageous decision to relocate to the serene landscapes of Maine. The move offered not only a chance to recharge and rejuvenate but also an opportunity to continue my passion for mental health and social justice in a new environment. The tranquility and natural beauty of Maine have provided a much-needed balance, allowing me to bring a renewed sense of purpose and dedication to my work. In my spare time you can find me on the beach, cooking, eating, coldwater plunging, and spending quality time with my partner Gregg, my son Niko, and our fur babies Maddy Louise & Mickey Mantle.
Clinical Experience:
As a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner, clinical supervisor, trainer and consultant I seek to create equitable change in communities. In conjunction with my work as a psychotherapist I previously served as Faculty at New York University/ Rory Meyers College of Nursing, Pace University and SUNY Rockland Community College in New York State. As a DEI consultant I have advised healthcare organizations and municipalities. With nearly two decades of nursing experience, my expertise as a clinician informs my consulting work. I am a member of both the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American Cannabis Nurses Association.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, specializing in psychotherapy and medication management, Union Square Practice.
Charge Nurse at NY Presbyterian Hospital/ Columbia University Medical Center’s inpatient adult behavioral health unit and Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP).
Wellness Director at Atria Senior Living in Briarcliff Manor, NY
Clinical nurse at NY Presbyterian Hospital/ Westchester Division on the inpatient child and adolescent behavioral health units.
Education & Training:
Master’s degree Advance Practice Nursing - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, New York University
Bachelor’s degree in Nursing - Mercy College
Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice, Institute for Functional Medicine
Medical Cannabis for Healthcare Providers, Pacific College of Health Sciences
Megan Aguirre, Operations Coordinator
Megan Aguirre (She/Her/Ella) is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Human Capital Management at New York University’s School of Professional Studies. A Queens native, she is both a first-generation and second-generation American. Her mother emigrated from El Salvador as a child during the Salvadorian civil war while her father, half Dominican and Ecuadorian, was born in Brooklyn.
Megan graduated from the University at Buffalo in 2016 with a BA in Psychology and a double minor in Theatre Arts and Latin American Studies. She went on to pursue an MS in Higher Education Administration at Baruch College where her work heavily focused on first-generation programming at the post-secondary level. Throughout her professional career, Megan has worked in the education sector, working with inner-city youth to provide access and support for them to receive an equitable education and consistent support throughout their time at a post-secondary institution.
Megan is excited to take her experience and knowledge to the next level and apply her passion for Operations and DEI to Human Resources. She envisions a world where more BIPOC creatives are afforded opportunities in the industry as well as creating space for Women of Color in the Human Resources field.
In her personal time, Megan can be found spending time with her dog Gianna, listening to thriller podcasts, attending concerts, and catching the latest movie in theaters.
