Our Team

Krystle Brunker, PMHNP-BC

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with an active license to practice in Arizona. I completed my Bachelor’s Degree with the University of Texas, and then my Master’s Degree with Walden University. I began working as a nurse in acute psychiatry in 2011 and have dedicated my career to improving mental health in the communities that I have served. I have experience in several settings, including inpatient psychiatry, emergency psychiatry, and hospital liaison psychiatry.

I’m originally from Colorado but have also spent time in Minnesota and Ohio. I now have the pleasure of serving the Flagstaff community. My practicing style involves empathy and patience. It is important to me that a patient feels heard and understood, and that they feel they are working in collaboration with their provider. I strive to make the patient-provider environment a comfortable and supportive place for people of all backgrounds.

Outside of office hours, my family and I enjoy concerts and camping, and exploring nature with our two dogs. I am so excited to join the Phoenix Mental Health & Wellness team and I look forward to working with the Flagstaff community!

Dr. Cara Quade, DNP, PMHNP-BC

Cara received both her Bachelor and Master’s Degrees from the University of Arizona (UofA). As she focused her practice on adult mental health, in 2015, she obtained her post-master’s certificate from Arizona State University (ASU), which allowed her to expand her treat all ages (family certificate). She also received her Doctoral Degree from ASU, which allowed her to focus on innovative leadership and enhanced implementation of evidence-based practice in the clinical environment.

Along with her degrees, Cara has received numerous awards from: Regent’s Waiver (top 5% of graduates), University of Arizona Honor’s Program (1995-2002), Henry Heller Scholarship (1998-2000), Arthur Zuber Academic Award and Scholarship (2000-2001), Arizona University Alumni Award and Scholarship (2000-2001), Dean’s List: University of Arizona College of Nursing (1995-2002), Mary Jeffery’s Scholarship (2001), Who’s Who in Professional Women (2004-2005), Ray Holmes Award of Excellence Nominee (2003-2006, 2014-2017), Southwest Behavioral Health Employee of the Year –Northern Arizona(2010), Nancy Melvin Scholarship: Arizona State University (2015), Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Induction (2015).

Over the course of the last 20-years, Cara has developed a confident and unique practice style. She strongly believes that developing a rapport with patients creates much improved outcomes. The attributes patients find appealing include a nonjudgmental approach, active-listening style, and an educational format that allows the patient to make an informed decision about their treatment. It is her goal to provide them with the tools necessary to improve their overall quality of life. Cara’s practice philosophy is one she adopted presented by Peplau, which suggested that psychiatry was an art form in which one could use one’s self in a purposeful and therapeutic way to assist others to affect changes in their understanding and behavior. She allows a view of individuals from a holistic perspective, where the focus on care is on that of the patient, as well as the family, the environment and the social beliefs; all of which impact the patient’s illness and subsequent functioning.

Dustin Husemann, PMHNP-BC

I am a licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a dual certification in Acute Care, with over 12 years of experience in the health care field. I received my initial Masters of Science in Adult/Gerontology Acute Care with Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Arizona, and my Post Master’s in Psychiatric Mental Health with Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri. My interest and passion for mental health began in 2007 with a position as a behavioral health tech in Iowa. I relocated to Phoenix, AZ, in 2014, where I completed my master/post masters degree and began working as a Trauma/ICU Nurse Practitioner and later specializing as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.

I have experience in a wide variety of health care settings and find mental health to be an important area of health care that is often overlooked. My goal as your provider is to assist you in improving your mental health, achieving your goals, and improving your overall well-being. I look forward to collaborating one on one with each client and working as a team to make life-changing improvements. I am excited to be a part of the Phoenix Mental Health and Wellness Team and I look forward to making a positive impact on the lives of all my clients.

Joseph Tris, PMHNP-BC, PMH-C

I am a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, licensed to practice in the state of Arizona.  I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northern Arizona University in 2014 followed by a Master of Science in Nursing from Eastern Kentucky University in 2018.  I obtained my certification in Perinatal Mental Health through Post-Partum Support International in 2022.  I have worked in healthcare since 2009 throughout northern Arizona.  I began working in the mental health field in 2012 and have worked in Outpatient, Crisis and Inpatient settings.   I have significant experience treating depression, anxiety, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, and eating disorders.

Addressing an individual’s psychiatric struggles with medication only is rarely effective or long lasting.   I focus on providing wholistic person-centered treatment and as such advocate for proper nutrition, physical activity, healthy relationships, and professional development.  Self-improvement is important to me; we all are a work in progress. I hope to inspire those I treat to engage in continual lifelong growth and learning.

Arizona has been home since 2006 and I love our great state.  When I’m not helping others to be their best self, you can find me rock climbing, mountain biking, or canyoneering.

David Rope, MSN,PMHNP-BC

I am a dual board-certified Nurse Practitioner in Psychiatry and Mental Health as well as Family Practice. I graduated in 2000 with a Master’s of Science in Nursing from University of San Diego and in 2019 with a postgraduate degree in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing from Western Kentucky University. I have a subspecialty in Latino health and am bilingual in Spanish and bicultural in the Latino lifestyle.

My training and experiences have led to a passionate pursuit of partnering with individuals and families to restore optimal mental health. I also advocate to erase the stigma and stereotypes of mental health. 

It is my desire to collaborate with clients and families to develop a plan to instill hope, promote health and realize potential. I take the time to build rapport and develop a trusting relationship to determine the best treatments and appropriate therapies. I enjoy incorporating the latest evidence-based research to the plan of care.

​I’ve lived with my family in AZ for the past 20 years and have developed many partnerships with various health care professionals. I enjoy bicycling, various styles of music and family trips. I’m looking forward to meeting you. 

Beth Piraino, DNP, PMHNP-BC

I am a licensed Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Nurse Practitioner in the State of Arizona. I am originally from Memphis, TN and moved to Arizona in 2018.  I completed a Doctor of Nursing Practice from University of Tennessee Health Science Center and I am dual certified in Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Medicine. I received an undergraduate degree in Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice and psychology with the initial goal of working as a therapist. While working on my graduate degree in psychology, I was introduced to nursing and immediately realized that I was presented with unique opportunity to improve the mental health of others and improve their quality of life. I completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Union University located in Memphis, TN.

I have experience working in various facets of healthcare as an RN and as a APRN. As an RN I have worked in acute hospital settings including the ICU and as a research nurse studying stroke patients.  As an APRN, I have primarily been treating the mental health needs of children, adolescents, and adults with a focus on strengthening the entire family unit. My goal as your practitioner is to engage in collaborative care using various modalities such as medication management, coping skills, and mindfulness exercises to find what works best for you and your needs.

I want to help you grow as a person, teach you new ways to manage stress, anxiety, or depression, and learn self-love and self-compassion.

Samantha Kragel, PMHNP-BC

I am a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and have worked in the healthcare field for 13 years. I received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Cedarville University and a Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University. I started my career at Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital in 2008 and have always had a passion for working with children and adolescents. Throughout my career, I came to realize the overwhelming need for quality mental health care for our youth, and this really sparked my interest in helping people of all ages who struggle with mental health.

My desire is to work with clients and their families to develop a treatment plan that can help them thrive at home, school, work, and in social situations. I recognize that each client is unique, and I strive to see my clients reach their highest potential through medication management, therapy, coping skills, and lifestyle modifications.

When I’m not working, I love to be with my family! I have a husband, three children and a golden retriever who add so much joy to my life. I’m so excited to be a part of the Phoenix Mental Health and Wellness team, and I look forward to working with you!

Christina DeMuro, PMHNP-BC

I began my healthcare career as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Behavioral Health Technician over a decade ago when I realized my passion to help others.  I then decided to continue my education and received my first degree in Nursing, so that I could continue to help people within the greater Northern Arizona community.  My experience assisting individuals with their mental health concerns led me to continue with my graduate studies at Frontier Nursing University and receive a Master’s Degree as a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

My dedication and priority is to help people achieve their mental health goals by providing a safe and welcoming environment while focusing on integrative mental health services for emotional and physical well-being. My hobbies include hiking, camping, reading, traveling and golfing when I’m not helping clients.

I am honored to join the team at Phoenix Mental Health and Wellness and to be able to help you achieve your mental well-being through our work together.

Bethany Bartlett, PMHNP-BC

I am a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with over 11 years of experience licensed to practice in the state of Arizona. I completed my master’s degree at the University of Vermont and began practicing as a psychiatric nurse practitioner in Arizona in 2012. I have since practiced in various locations and settings throughout the state. I have experience across the spectrum of mental health disorders with particular clinical interests in the treatment of depression, bipolar disorder, trauma, and anxiety.

My goal as a provider is to support, engage, and promote good mental health and personal wellbeing by working together to meet individual goals in healing and wellness. My passion is for holistic person-centered treatment and for individualized treatment planning utilizing medication management, therapy, and lifestyle change/modification.

When I am not at work I am with my fiancé and our daughter enjoying family time together! I also love hiking, taking in the natural beauty of Arizona, gardening and practicing yoga in my living room.

I am excited to be a part of Phoenix Mental Health and Wellness and honored to be able to assist you in achieving your mental health and wellness goals. I look forward to working with you!