Meet the Lighthouse Mental Wellness Team
Brian Banks
Owner, MSN, BSN, PMHNP-BC-
With experience treating both children ages 7 and older and adults, Brian believes that mental health is a multidimensional experience requiring an individualized, whole-person approach. He emphasizes meaningful lifestyle changes alongside evidence-based treatments, including medication management and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). By focusing not only on reducing symptoms but also on restoring functioning, resilience, and quality of life, Brian aims to help his patients live healthier and more fulfilling lives.
Brian is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and the Owner and CEO of Lighthouse Mental Wellness. He provides medication management and TMS services and draws upon extensive experience working with patients in outpatient clinics and private practice. He earned his Master of Science in Nursing from Regis College and has completed advanced TMS education through the Clinical TMS Society’s PULSES course and the Pain Academy certificate program.
Before entering healthcare, Brian worked in information technology. This experience gives him a unique appreciation for the professional pressures, competing responsibilities, and everyday challenges faced by career-minded individuals and working families.
Deborah Giambanco
DNP, PMHNP-BC, NNP-BC-
Deborah is a board-certified nurse practitioner in psychiatry and newborn medicine with experience treating children, adolescents and adults. She began her career in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) caring for critically ill infants and their families during their traumatic ICU stay. Her NICU experience highlighted the tremendous gap in the integration of mental health and clinical medicine (with the experience and expression of trauma). This gap prompted her to earn her doctoral degree and allowed her to integrate clinical medicine with mental health care. She fundamentally believes that our unique, personal experiences influence every aspect of our lives. Through the utilization of an integrative, person-centered approach for medication management and therapy, she works with her clients to develop a plan that meets individual needs. Her focus is to optimize clients’ quality of life through the management of symptoms, while working with clients to establish long-term management strategies.
Her extensive experience will aid in her clients’ ability to lead fulfilling lives and manage the daily struggles that can present without notice. She works together with clients to develop a treatment plan, with the hope of building individual coping strategies and minimizing distress.
She is currently accepting clients (ages 7+), who are receiving concurrent psychotherapy, for medication management.
INSURANCES: BCBS (except Medicare), Cigna, Optum (United, Harvard Pilgrim, and Allways)
Meredith “Ryan” Detwiler
MSN, BSN, PMHNP-BC -
Meredith is a dual board-certified nurse practitioner in both family medicine and psychiatric mental health. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Regis College and has been board certified since 2007. After years of practice in a variety of clinical settings, she recognized a growing need for compassionate, accessible mental health care and returned to Regis College to complete her post-graduate certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
Her diverse professional background includes experience in psychiatric medication research, emergency medicine as an ER nurse practitioner, and community health as a school nurse manager. For the past 16 years, she has specialized in providing psychiatric consultations in skilled nursing facilities and neurobehavioral programs, supporting individuals with complex mental and physical health challenges later in life.
Meredith’s work is grounded in a belief that mental health care should be holistic, person-centered, and responsive to each individual’s lived experience. She is committed to bridging the gap between physical and mental health, drawing on her extensive clinical experience to help patients manage symptoms, build resilience, and improve overall quality of life.
Outside of work, Meredith enjoys skiing, fishing, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
She is currently accepting clients (ages 7+) who are engaged in ongoing psychotherapy and seeking psychiatric evaluation and medication management as part of an integrated care plan.
-
Her path toward specializing in mental health care was deeply shaped by her experience as a registered nurse. While working on an inpatient Intermediate Medicine Unit at a major Boston hospital, she cared for a diverse range of patients. There she saw the critical role mental health plays in overall well-being.
Julia is committed to a holistic, patient-centered approach and believes that every individual deserves a treatment plan that is tailored to their unique needs and aspirations. Her mission is to help people not just manage their mental health, but to truly thrive and reach their full potential.
In her free time, Julia enjoys slowing down with a good book and a cup of coffee. She recharges by surrounding herself with her beloved friends, family and her dog, Dutton.
She is currently accepting clients (ages 7+) who are engaged in ongoing psychotherapy and seeking psychiatric evaluation and medication management as part of an integrated care plan.
MSN, BSN, PMHNP-BC Julia Sifferlen
MSN, BSN, PMHNP-BCSamantha Bondaryk
-
Samantha Bondaryk has been a registered nurse since 2012, when she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with her bachelor’s in nursing. She worked in med-surg, public health, and primary care before pursuing her NP. Thinking she wanted to be a primary care provider, she originally got her Master’s from Boston College in 2018 to become a Family NP. While in her clinical year of that program, however, she realized she actually felt most passionately about working with patients struggling with mental disorders, as they were often the most vulnerable and stigmatized population.
After graduating from BC, she pivoted back to working as an RN, only this time in psychiatry at McLean Hospital and Walden Behavioral Care, while finishing her post-Master’s certificate at MCPHS to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner in 2022. She recently returned to her home state of Massachusetts after working as a psychiatric nurse practitioner in Vermont.
In her spare time, Sam loves to travel, especially to countries where she can speak Spanish, which she minored in at college. She also enjoys yoga, running to the beach, and hiking in nature. In the fall, she intends to rejoin her amateur orchestra — Boston’s Me2/orchestra, a musical organization for people with mental illnesses and those who support them — as an oboist.
Lisa Costa
MSN, BSN, PMHNP-BC-
As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), certified in 2020, Lisa is committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care tailored to each individual's unique needs. Her diverse healthcare background includes experience in oncology, nursing home administration, inpatient psychiatric care, and supporting individuals within the intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) community.
These varied clinical and leadership roles have given Lisa a deep understanding of the complex physical, emotional, and behavioral health challenges that individuals and families face. She believes in treating the whole person and fostering a therapeutic environment built on trust, respect, and collaboration.
Lisa's approach to care is warm, patient-centered, and nonjudgmental. She works closely with patients to develop personalized treatment plans that promote emotional wellness, resilience, and long-term success. Whether addressing anxiety, depression, mood disorders, trauma, or other mental health concerns, she is dedicated to helping individuals achieve meaningful and lasting improvements in their quality of life.
Outside of work, Lisa enjoys starting her mornings with a cup of coffee on the deck while listening to the birds. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as her dog, Louie, and cat, Maya.
Alexandra Bachelder
TMS Technician-
Alex is a dedicated TMS Technician and Administrative Support Specialist with a strong background in the mental health field. Thoughtful and soft-spoken, she brings a calming presence to her work, whether supporting patients directly or helping keep the office running smoothly.
With several years of experience in mental health care, Alex blends technical skill with a deep commitment to supporting others. Her quiet confidence and steady demeanor help create a welcoming, respectful environment where patients feel safe, seen, and cared for. She is a reliable and grounding presence for both patients and colleagues alike.
Outside of the office, Alex enjoys spending time with her husband, their two young children, and their family dog. She’s deeply grateful for the support of her parents, who help care for the kids while she’s at work. Which is a strong reminder that the strength of community and connection is just as important at home as it is in the office.
TMS TechnicianTyler Christenson
-
Tyler is a hardworking and patient-focused TMS Technician and Administrative Support Specialist at Lighthouse Mental Wellness, bringing both professional expertise and personal connection to TMS therapy. Their own experience with the treatment has inspired a genuine passion for helping others on their mental health journeys.
Well-traveled both nationally and internationally, Tyler brings a broad perspective and an open-minded approach to their work. When Brian is working with clients, Tyler has become the go-to person for technical support around the office. They’re known for their warm, caring personality and creative spirit, which is often expressed through their ever-changing hair color.
When they’re not working, Tyler enjoys drawing and spending time playing with their dogs.
Tiffany Kennedy
Medical Receptionist -
Tiffany is a dedicated Medical Receptionist with more than 10 years of experience in healthcare administration. Known for her friendly personality and compassionate approach, she strives to create a welcoming environment where every patient feels comfortable, supported, and cared for from the moment they walk through the door.
Tiffany enjoys building meaningful connections with patients and takes pride in helping make each visit as positive and stress-free as possible. She values being part of a collaborative team that shares a commitment to providing exceptional mental health care.
Outside of the office, Tiffany enjoys spending time with her three daughters and her two cats.
-
Kim brings compassion, dedication, and a strong sense of community to her role as Practice Manager at Lighthouse Mental Wellness. She began her career over 30 years ago in both investor and public relations at a leading athletic footwear company before shifting her focus to raising her family and supporting her local community.
Prior to joining Lighthouse, she was deeply involved with The Parent Connection in Duxbury, MA, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families through education, workshops, and community events. During her time there, she served in various roles, eventually becoming president. In that capacity, she gained valuable experience helping parents and caregivers navigate challenges, build meaningful connections, and access resources to strengthen family well-being.
She values the mental health field for its emphasis on both individual well-being and collaborative care, recognizing the importance of strong relationships, not only between clinician and client, but across the entire care team. She is passionate about creating a welcoming environment where patients and providers alike feel supported, and where individuals have the space to heal, grow, and thrive.
Outside of work, Kim enjoys life’s simple pleasures, like a sunny day at the beach, watching sports, traveling, or spending time with family and friends.
practice managerKim Curley
Maura Banks
Chief operating officer-
As Chief Operating Officer at Lighthouse Mental Wellness, Maura is dedicated to creating a supportive and welcoming experience for patients while fostering an environment where providers can do their best work. With nearly 20 years of experience in healthcare and the life sciences, she brings a thoughtful approach to building the systems, processes, and patient experience that allow the practice to deliver compassionate, high-quality care.
Before joining Lighthouse, Maura worked as a healthcare and life sciences consultant, helping organizations improve their operations and better support the people they serve. Earlier in her career, she spent 15 years in the pharmaceutical industry, where she held roles spanning marketing, commercial operations, and strategic planning at Biogen and Akebia Therapeutics.
Maura is deeply connected to Lighthouse's mission of making mental health care accessible and compassionate. She takes pride in helping create an environment where patients feel welcomed, respected, and cared for in every interaction with the practice.
She earned her M.B.A. from Babson College and her B.B.A. from The George Washington University.
Outside of work, Maura enjoys spending time outdoors—especially at the beach—with her husband, two sons, and their dogs.
Bodhi
Comfort & Wellness Ambassador-
Bodhi is an important part of the Lighthouse team, greeting patients with a wagging tail and helping create the calm, welcoming environment our practice is known for. Whether he's offering quiet companionship or simply bringing a smile to someone's day, Bodhi reminds us that comfort and connection can be an important part of the healing process.
🐾 Favorite Activities: Greeting patients, belly rubs, treats, and naps between appointments.