Meet Our Prescribers – Westfield & Wall, NJ

Our Team of Mental Health Experts

Led by our medical director and head psychiatrist Dr. Leopold Bolona, our integrated network of mental health professionals is dedicated to providing personalized treatments that offer long-term mental health solutions for patients all over New Jersey. Combining reliable options like medication management with innovative services like TMS therapy and SPRAVATO, they are able to help individuals with conditions like Treatment-Resistant Depression, anxiety, and PTSD to start the journey toward wellness. Below, you can learn more about our experienced and compassionate team.

Dr. Leopold Bolona, Psychiatrist

Board Certified by the American Academy of Psychiatry and Neurology

Dr. Leopold Bolona is a distinguished psychiatrist renowned for his expertise, compassion, and dedication to mental health care. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Dr. Bolona obtained his medical degree from the Universidad Catolica Santiago of Guayaquil, Ecuador. He completed his General Psychiatry Residency and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital in New York City, where he also instructed medical students and psychiatry residents.

Founder of Embrace Psychiatric Wellness Center: Dr. Bolona founded Embrace Psychiatric Wellness Center, a leading private practice with offices in Wall and Westfield, New Jersey. Under his guidance, Embrace offers comprehensive mental health services, led by a team of 24 dedicated mental health practitioners, including:

Neuropsychologists
Licensed Social Workers
Licensed Clinical Social Workers
Licensed Professional Counselors
Nurse Practitioners, Psychotherapists
Certified SPRAVATO/TMS Technicians,
… And More

Comprehensive Care in a Peaceful Environment: At Embrace Psychiatric Wellness Center, Dr. Bolona and his team provide superior care in a peaceful, comfortable, and inclusive environment. Practitioners utilize a wide range of resources to find solutions tailored to each patient’s needs, including medication management, talk therapy, and advanced treatments.

Bilingual Expertise: Dr. Bolona is bilingual in Spanish and English, allowing him to effectively communicate with a diverse range of patients and provide personalized care.

Leadership and Advocacy: Dr. Bolona has transitioned away from patient appointments to focus on mentoring and advocacy. He continues to mentor and teach nurse practitioner students and physician assistant students from Chamberlain University, Walden University, LaSalle University, Monmouth University, and the University of Delaware.

Legacy of Excellence: Dr. Bolona’s commitment to compassionate care and innovative leadership continues to define Embrace Psychiatric Wellness Center, ensuring high standards of mental health care and support for the community.

Fun Facts: In addition to his professional achievements, Dr. Bolona enjoys staying active and has completed multiple marathons and triathlons. He has a passion for travel, exploring different cultures and cuisines around the world.

Rob Bishop, MSN, PMHNP-BC

Rob Bishop is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience providing compassionate, individualized mental health care. He earned his Master of Science in Nursing from Monmouth University in 2013 and specializes in treating depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, ADHD, schizophrenia, adjustment disorders, and substance use disorders.

Rob believes in treating the whole person mind, body, and spirit rather than focusing solely on a diagnosis. He takes a patient-centered approach, emphasizing active listening, understanding each individual’s unique needs, and identifying appropriate treatments to support meaningful progress. His philosophy centers on empowering clients to take an active role in their care, fostering greater independence, confidence, and long-term wellbeing.

Committed to providing quality, evidence-based care, Rob stays current with the latest research and advancements in mental health treatment. He strongly believes in the benefits of combining psychotherapy and medication management to support a comprehensive approach to mental wellness.

Candice Chambers, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Hi, I’m Candice Chambers, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner here at Embrace Psychiatric and Wellness. I’ve been in the medical field for several years and joined the practice after completing my clinical rotation here. I officially began working with the team six months ago, and it’s been an incredibly rewarding experience so far.

I earned both my BSN and MSN from Chamberlain University of Nursing and hold certifications as a Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN) and a Certified Forensic Nurse Examiner. These credentials reflect my deep interest in trauma-informed care, both in physical and psychological health. I’m passionate about providing compassionate, culturally responsive psychiatric care for individuals of all ages. My clinical focus includes mood disorders, trauma, anxiety, ADHD, and dual diagnoses.

I was born and raised in New Jersey and graduated from Saint Peter’s High School in New Brunswick. I currently live in Woodbridge and am a proud mom of three amazing children. I come from a close-knit African American family rooted in strong values of faith, perseverance, and community service. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand how mental illness impacted loved ones, and I saw the obstacles they faced in accessing care due to stigma and cultural barriers. That experience is what ultimately called me to this profession. I wanted to be a part of the change, ensuring that others could get the support they needed without judgment.

Outside of work, I love traveling and photography. Exploring new places and capturing meaningful moments behind the lens allows me to stay creative and present. These passions keep me grounded and bring joy and balance into my life.

I’m a proud member of Sigma Theta Tau, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA), the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA), and the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN). I’m honored to walk alongside patients in their mental health journey and strive to provide care that is both clinically excellent and deeply human.

Pamela Derbyshire, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, Board Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Treating patients ages 5 and up

Pamela Derbyshire is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with 30 years of experience across trauma, corrections, substance abuse, and nursing leadership. She completed her Master of Science in Nursing at Walden University and is committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered care. Pamela is known for her warm, approachable nature and her ability to make patients feel truly heard.

Pamela specializes in diagnosing and treating ADHD, depression, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, PTSD, and substance use disorders. She is experienced in evidence-based psychopharmacology and integrated treatment planning tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Her expertise includes conducting thorough psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and ongoing clinical monitoring to support long-term stability and recovery.

She is dedicated to empowering patients through education, collaboration, and supportive therapeutic communication guided by uncompromising core values, integrity, and a deep commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care.

Pamela is passionate about reducing stigma, improving access to mental health care, and advancing best practices in psychiatric treatment.

Originally from Long Island, NY, Pamela is deeply family-oriented. She enjoys cooking, traveling, exploring new foods with her husband, and spending time with her three daughters and her beloved French bulldog, Loki.

Caitlin (Caity) DePaulo, Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurse

Caitlin (known as “Caity” by her patients) decided to go into healthcare because she wanted to make a real difference in the lives of struggling people. She was a Registered Nurse who worked in emergency settings for seven years before pursuing her Master of Nursing at Hunter College in the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. She made this change because she realized what a lack of resources there was for psychiatric patients, including members of her own family who suffered from mental illness and addiction. As a practitioner, being able to improve someone’s quality of life is the best job satisfaction she could ever hope for!

Today, Caity is a proud member of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) and has her APN certificate. She also has her Waiver X, which allows her to prescribe medication-assisted drug treatments for those in need. Having grown up in Astoria, Queens, she lived in Manhattan for her adult life and just moved to NJ in 2021! She’s proud to now be a member of the Embrace Psychiatric Wellness Center team. One skill she has that immensely benefits our patients is her ability to speak fluent English and Spanish (along with some not-so-good French).

Outside of work, Caity got married in December of 2022 and looks forward to starting a family very soon! She already has two special nieces who feel just like her kids. As far as hobbies go, she enjoys traveling with her husband, hanging out with family, cooking, reading, exercising, and going to dinners with her closest friends.

Eve Kessler, PMHNP-BC, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Special focus in Geriatric Psychiatry
Eve Kessler is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Embrace Psychiatric Wellness Center in Westfield. She brings over 21 years of medical experience to her work, including more than seven years specializing in geriatric psychiatry. Eve earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Rutgers University School of Nursing, where she completed her advanced training as an APRN.

Eve’s passion for nursing began in her teens, when she was asked to support her aunt during a twin pregnancy—an experience that confirmed her lifelong calling to care for others. Throughout her diverse nursing career, that purpose has remained constant. She finds the most meaningful part of her work to be building strong, therapeutic relationships with her patients.

Born and raised in Cherry Hill, NJ, Eve now resides in Union County with her two children and their beloved cockapoo, Nitsy. Outside of work, she enjoys cruising, spending time with her family, walking her dog, watching true-crime documentaries, and riding horses.
Eve is ANCC board-certified and committed to delivering compassionate, patient-centered mental health care.

JoAnne Piaggio, MSN, PMHNP-BC

JoAnne has been a part of the healthcare field for multiple decades, starting out as an operating room nurse in 1989, which was a position she held for 35 years. However, a family tragedy changed the trajectory of her work – at the age of 14, her teenage daughter attempted suicide. It took her six months to find a practitioner to help her, and there was a six month wait for an appointment. GenPsych literally saved her daughter’s life, but learning how few Advanced Practice Nurses (APN’s) were available in the state troubled her. She decided to undergo the post Master’s Certificate for Advanced Practice Nursing program at Monmouth College, graduating in May of 2019 – and the rest is history!

Today, JoAnne loves being able to provide essential mental healthcare to people all over New Jersey, changing lives for the better. She currently lives in Beachwood with her husband and their three grown children. Outside of working hours, she enjoys reading, putting together puzzles, learning how to crochet, and spending LOTS of quality time with Natasha, her fur baby. She’s also the self-proclaimed queen of useless trivia.

Natalia Sedlacek, MSN, PMHNP-BC, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Natalia Sedlacek is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years of experience in the medical field. She began her career as a nursing assistant and has since worked across multiple specialties, including labor and delivery, as well as acute and cardiac care — building a strong foundation in both clinical skill and compassionate care.

Natalia joined Embrace in early 2024 as a student and began practicing independently in March 2025. She is currently working with adults in psychiatry. Her passion for psychiatry was shaped by personal experiences and a deep desire to help others through life’s most vulnerable moments. She is pursuing advanced certification in perinatal mental health and was nominated for the Daisy Award for Nursing Excellence in 2024.

Raised in New Jersey, Natalia brings empathy, resilience, and dedication to her patients every day. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and their dog, Roger, cheering on her son’s soccer games, and traveling with her family.

Jennyfer Solorzano, PMHNP-BC Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Jennyfer Solorzano is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over 14 years of experience in healthcare, and a deep commitment to supporting children, adolescents, and young adults in their mental health journeys. She joined Embrace Psychiatric Wellness Center in 2025, bringing a uniquely holistic and relational approach to psychiatric care. Jennyfer began her professional life in an unexpected place: with degrees in Marketing and Spanish from Fairleigh Dickinson University and Rutgers University. However, a desire to pursue work that felt more meaningful and people-centered eventually led her to nursing. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from New Jersey City University, and later her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a specialization in psychiatry from Northern Kentucky University.

Her clinical journey began in the pediatric intensive care unit, where she cared for critically ill children and teens. It was in that setting that she began to see how deeply intertwined physical health, emotional well-being, and family dynamics truly are. Her passion for supporting young people and their families continued to grow, and was further deepened by her own personal experience with postpartum anxiety, which opened her eyes to the powerful impact of early life experiences, emotional regulation, and mental health.

At Embrace, Jennyfer focuses on building strong, trusting relationships with her patients and their families. She understands the unique challenges young people face today and emphasizes connection, empathy, and curiosity in her work. She is especially interested in supporting individuals through ADHD, mood disorders, anxiety, and family-related stressors, and integrates a range of evidence-based strategies in her treatment planning. She is passionate about continuing education and frequently attends psychiatric conferences, particularly those focused on youth mental health.

Jennyfer was raised in South Brunswick, NJ and now lives in Cranford, NJ, with her 10-year-old son. She’s one of six siblings and was the first in her family to graduate from college and attend graduate school. In her free time, she enjoys DIY home projects, exploring small towns with a good coffee, and spending quality time outdoors. She also loves a good true crime podcast, watching Modern Family, and building Legos with her son.

Jennyfer is a member of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Nurses Association (ANA).

Alma Torres, MSN, APN, PMHNP-BC

Alma Torres is a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner whose journey into healthcare has been shaped by perseverance, compassion, and a deep commitment to helping others achieve emotional and mental well-being.

Alma emigrated from Mexico to the United States in 2007, beginning a new chapter in a country with a different language and culture. While learning English and adapting to her new environment, she worked full-time, attended school, and raised her child as a single mother. These experiences strengthened her resilience and helped shape the
compassionate and culturally sensitive approach she brings to patient care today.

Alma began her healthcare career as a Medical Assistant, gaining experience across several medical specialties. Motivated to expand her knowledge and ability to care for others, she continued advancing her education, becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse and
later a Registered Nurse. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and continued her graduate education at Chamberlain University, where she earned her Master of Science in Nursing and specialized as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Her passion for mental health developed while working in the Emergency Department, where she cared for individuals experiencing psychiatric emergencies and emotional crises. Working closely with patients during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives reinforced her belief that mental health deserves the same attention, compassion, and respect as physical health.

Mental health has also touched Alma’s life personally through the experiences of friends and loved ones living with mental health challenges. These experiences have strengthened her desire to provide care that looks beyond a diagnosis and recognizes each individual’s unique story, circumstances, strengths, and goals.

Alma believes that a healthy mind can create the foundation for meaningful change and a more fulfilling life. Her approach emphasizes empathy, collaboration, education, and creating a safe environment where patients feel heard and respected. She is especially passionate about reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness and improving access to culturally responsive mental health services within her community.

As she continues to grow professionally, Alma hopes to become an active advocate for mental health awareness in her community, participate in initiatives that help shape mental health policy and legislation, and expand her expertise across the lifespan, including pediatric and geriatric mental health.

Outside of her professional life, Alma enjoys spending time with her family and creating meaningful memories with the people she loves. She recently became a mother for the second time and is engaged and looking forward to her upcoming wedding. She enjoys nature, traveling, discovering new foods, and learning about different cultures.

Alma’s personal and professional journey continues to reinforce the philosophy that guides her work: with compassion, support, and hope, meaningful change is possible.