With a passion rooted in personal experience and professional dedication, Dr. Kennedy LaVille Thoren, DNP, ARNP, PMHNP-BC, has joined Story Medical Clinic – Nevada to offer comprehensive mental health care to patients across the age spectrum.
Dr. LaVille Thoren, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, brings a compassionate, evidence-based, and integrative approach to care. She will begin seeing patients on June 30 and her services will be available to children, adolescents, adults, and older adults in the community. Her arrival fills a critical need for accessible, local mental health support.
Firsthand Experience
“Growing up, I witnessed firsthand how hard it can be to access mental health care,” Dr. LaVille Thoren says. “That experience drew me into health care, and my work as a nurse only deepened that passion. I worked with many young patients in acute settings who were struggling with mental health. It became clear to me that there was more I could do—so I pursued advanced practice nursing.”
Her clinical background is diverse, including work in inpatient psychiatry, emergency rooms, intensive care, community mental health, and home-based behavioral health. Prior to joining Story Medical, she worked for UnityPoint Health, where she launched pediatric psychiatry services, and Optum, where she led behavioral health integration efforts in primary care settings.
Treating the Whole Person
At Story Medical, Dr. LaVille Thoren provides psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and supportive psychotherapy, as well as referrals for additional therapy, lifestyle interventions, and holistic care. Her goal is to treat the whole person—emotionally, physically, and socially.
"Good mental health care is never just about prescribing medication,” she says. “It’s about building trust, listening, and working together to find what’s best for the patient.”
Dr. LaVille Thoren says she was drawn to Story Medical by its patient-centered philosophy and community focus.
“This is a smaller organization where people are invested in doing what’s right for patients,” she says. “That means I have time to really connect with the people I’m caring for. That time is critical—especially when it comes to mental health care.”
The ability to form long-term relationships with patients is what excites her most about joining the outpatient clinic setting.
“When you’re helping someone through anxiety, depression, trauma, or a mood disorder, consistency and trust are essential,” Dr. LaVille Thoren says. “That’s what makes being embedded in a primary care environment so powerful—we’re meeting people where they are.”
Delivering Care When and Where it is Needed
Access is also a key part of Dr. LaVille Thoren’s mission.
“Mental health care should be available to everyone, regardless of where they live,” she says. “Bringing services like this to a rural community like Nevada ensures that people don’t have to travel far to get the support they need. That makes a real difference,” she adds.
With a commitment to holistic, collaborative care and a heart for the community, Dr. LaVille Thoren’s arrival is a significant step forward for local mental health access—and for the individuals and families who will benefit from her expertise.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. LaVille Thoren, call 515-382-5413.