

Today we’d like to introduce you to Danae Thomas.
Hi Danae , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
’m Dr. Danae Thomas psychiatric nurse practitioner, the founder of Empyreal Minds, an integrative psychiatry practice in Fort Lauderdale, FL. My journey here has been shaped by nearly two decades of experience in healthcare, early exposure to cultural barriers, and a deep belief that mental wellness must address the whole person—mind, body, culture, and lifestyle.
I started my professional life working in emergency medicine. There, in fast-moving, high-stakes settings, I saw firsthand how mental health issues often underlie so much physical distress. I saw people showing up with symptoms—chronic fatigue, insomnia, anxiety—but the deeper issues were rarely addressed. That inspired me to shift my focus toward psychiatry, where I could provide more holistic, long-term care.
Being Caribbean-American has also played a major role in shaping my mission. I know how cultural expectations, stigma, and identity can make it hard to reach out. So from the beginning I wanted Empyreal Minds to be a place where people feel seen, respected, and supported—not judged; where their story matters.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has definitely had its challenges. Starting a private practice while working full-time meant balancing long hours, late nights, and the realities of building something from the ground up. There’s so much that school doesn’t teach you about entrepreneurship—insurance credentialing, marketing, administrative systems—all of which I had to learn on my own, often through trial and error. There have also been moments of doubt—wondering if people would find me, if my message would connect, or if I could really make the practice sustainable. But those challenges pushed me to grow in new ways: learning marketing, networking with other providers, and leaning on my resilience. Every obstacle became a lesson that shaped me into not only a stronger clinician, but a more grounded business owner.
We’ve been impressed with Empyreal Minds, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Empyreal Minds is my private integrative psychiatry practice based in Fort Lauderdale, with both telehealth and limited in-person services available to adults across Florida. I specialize in helping high-functioning professionals and multicultural communities who are navigating anxiety, depression, , insomnia, and major life transitions.
What sets Empyreal Minds apart is the way I combine traditional psychiatry (medication management and therapy) with integrative approaches like supplementation, lab analysis, and lifestyle strategies. My focus is not just on managing symptoms, but on addressing the whole person—mind, body, and culture—to help people feel more balanced, sleep better, and move through life with greater ease.
At its heart, my brand is about empowerment—helping people reclaim their peace, reconnect with themselves, and know that healing is possible. The tagline of Empyreal Minds is “Empowering Minds. Healing Lives.” and I want readers to know that mental health care doesn’t have to feel cold or clinical—it can be compassionate, personalized, and deeply transformative.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that often surprises people is that before becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I worked as an ER nurse. That fast-paced environment taught me how to stay calm under pressure and respond quickly, but it also showed me how much unspoken mental health pain comes through the emergency room doors. That experience planted the seed for why I wanted to create a more holistic, compassionate space like Empyreal Minds.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://empyrealminds-fl.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empyreal_minds?igsh=MmxseHU2aWt0Y3Bw&utm_source=qr