Exploring Life & Business with Rugiatu Bahr of Bahr Holistic Psychiatry LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rugiatu Bahr.

Hi Rugiatu, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Sierra Leone, West Africa, and immigrated to the United States nearly 30 years ago through the Diversity Visa (DV) program. Before coming to the U.S., I had already completed high school and vocational training. My first job here was as a secretary at an immigration law firm across from Federal Plaza in New York City, where I translated and filed documents for clients seeking asylum and navigating other immigration proceedings. That experience deeply connected me to the struggles, resilience, and hopes of immigrant families.

I have wanted to be a nurse since I was six years old. That dream was shaped early on when I witnessed my aunt being cared for by nurses during her battle with cancer before she passed away. I also saw firsthand how mental illness can impact not just an individual, but an entire family. An uncle struggled with bipolar disorder, and observing the emotional and psychosocial toll it took on him and our family became a powerful motivator for me to one day make a difference in the lives of others.

I went on to become a nurse and have worked for over 19 years across many areas of healthcare, including the emergency room, medical-surgical units, critical care, NICU, labor and delivery, psychiatry, and nursing education. Driven by a passion for lifelong learning and holistic care, I continued my education and graduated as a Family Nurse Practitioner, then completed a post-master’s certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Today, I work full time as a PMHNP at Pathways Center, while also running my own private practice, Bahr Holistic Psychiatry. My journey has been shaped by lived experience, service, and a deep commitment to compassionate, culturally responsive mental healthcare—and it continues to guide the work I do every day.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. Immigrating to the United States meant starting over, learning a new system, building stability from the ground up, and moving forward without the support of extended family nearby.

The civil war in Sierra Leone added another layer of hardship. Living with the fear, uncertainty, and trauma of war while being separated from loved ones was deeply painful. One of my greatest struggles, and responsibilities, was working tirelessly to eventually bring my family to safety in the United States. Carrying that emotional weight while pursuing education and building a career required resilience, faith, and perseverance.

Professionally, the path through nursing and advanced practice was demanding. Balancing school, work, and family came with sacrifice and moments of self-doubt, especially in spaces where I often did not see people who looked like me. Personally, witnessing illness and mental health struggles within my own family further shaped my empathy and commitment to this work.

Despite the challenges, each obstacle strengthened my resolve. These experiences continue to guide my purpose and fuel my dedication to serving others with compassion and understanding.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Bahr Holistic Psychiatry LLC?
Bahr Holistic Psychiatry is a holistic mental health practice known for culturally responsive, patient-centered psychiatric care. We specialize in evaluation, medication management, and long-term mental health support, with a strong emphasis on trauma-informed treatment and community impact. What sets us apart is our commitment to seeing the full person—not just a diagnosis—and building care that is thoughtful, inclusive, and empowering. Our brand represents resilience, healing, and a mission to make mental health care accessible, respectful, and stigma-free.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something that may surprise people is that my work is deeply personal. While many see me as a clinician and business owner, few realize how much of my own life journey shaped the foundation of my brand. My approach to mental health care was born not just from training, but from lived experience, immigration, war, family loss, and witnessing mental illness up close.
At the heart of everything I do is faith, resilience, and a deep belief that healing is possible, even after great hardship. That belief quietly guides my work every day.

Pricing:

• Insurance is accepted
• self pay 250$ for evaluation
• 150$ for Follow up visit
• Therapy and medication management 350$
• Therapy 200

Contact Info:

• Website: http://bahrpsych.com
• Instagram: bahr_Holistic_psychiatry
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570144641919&sk
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rugiatu-bahr-msn-fnp-bc-pmhnp-bc-clc-36736868
• Other: https://rugiatu-bahr.clientsecure.me/

Image Credits
Leticia Andrade Photography
https://www.lehphoto.com