About the practice
A higher standard of psychiatric care.
Koehler Mental Health and Wellness is an outpatient psychiatry practice in Newport Beach, serving adults in person and by telehealth throughout California. We treat the whole person — not a diagnosis code — and we intend to know our patients for years, not appointments.
Our providers
Experienced. Empathetic. Dedicated to you.
Frederick “Ricky” Koehler
DNP, PMHNP-BC · Founder & Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Ricky Koehler is a board-certified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner who founded Koehler Mental Health and Wellness to bring comprehensive, evidence-based psychiatric care to adults in Newport Beach. He treats a broad range of psychiatric conditions and works with adult patients ages 18 to 65.
Treatment philosophy
Ricky takes a holistic and collaborative approach. Alongside medication management, he considers the roles that exercise, sleep, nutrition, physical health, relationships, stress and personal goals play in mental wellness. He believes effective psychiatric care should address the whole person rather than focusing only on symptoms or diagnoses — working together on a plan that is practical, thoughtful, and aligned with what matters to you.
Education & clinical background
Ricky earned his Doctor of Nursing Practice from UCLA, where his doctoral research focused on structured strength training as an adjunctive treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder — work that reflects his interest in bringing practical, lifestyle-based interventions into traditional psychiatric treatment.
He has experience in addiction medicine and advanced psychiatric treatments, including medication-assisted treatment, ketamine therapy, Spravato, transcranial magnetic stimulation and long-acting injectable medications. Before becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner he worked as an intensive care and cardiac critical care nurse, and served as a Hospital Corpsman in the United States Navy. He also serves as adjunct nursing faculty, teaching and mentoring future healthcare professionals.
Amanda Benvenuto
PMHNP-BC · Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Amanda Benvenuto is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who brings years of emergency room nursing experience into her practice. That background equipped her to stay calm under pressure, navigate complex clinical situations, and provide compassionate, patient-centred care when it matters most.
Treatment philosophy
Amanda believes in a holistic approach that integrates mental health with lifestyle, fitness, nutrition and overall well-being. Drawing on her own passions for trail running, sports and the outdoors, she encourages patients to build healthy habits that support both emotional and physical wellness. She is committed to building meaningful therapeutic relationships and partnering with patients toward lasting mental wellness.
Education & clinical background
Amanda earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her Master of Science in Nursing, with a specialization as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, from West Coast University. She is passionate about delivering evidence-based mental health care in a welcoming, non-judgmental environment where patients feel heard, respected and supported.
Nicholas Cory-Duffy
PMHNP, MSN · Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Born and raised in Colorado, Nicholas Cory-Duffy is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who came to the work by way of five years in the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman and four years as an emergency room nurse. Caring for patients during some of the hardest hours of their lives showed him how much need goes unmet once the immediate crisis has passed — and it is why he became a PMHNP, so he could stay with people well beyond it.
Treatment philosophy
Nicholas believes mental health care is most effective when it is built around the individual. He works collaboratively with patients to develop treatment plans that align with their goals, values and lifestyle, pairing evidence-based medication management with practical strategies around nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress management. His priority is a supportive environment where patients feel heard, respected and empowered to make meaningful, lasting progress in their mental health.
Education & clinical background
Nicholas earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from California Baptist University and his Master of Science in Nursing, with a specialization as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, from West Coast University. His nine years of military service and emergency nursing before that remain central to how he works with patients today — steady in a crisis, and focused on what comes after it.
How we work
Rooted in evidence. Driven by compassion.
Whole-person care
Sleep, movement, nutrition, relationships and meaning all shape how you feel.
Evidence-based treatment
Care grounded in current research and measurement, then adjusted to what actually works for you.
Collaborative by default
We coordinate with your therapist and primary care physician so your care works as one.
Consistent, personalized care
Build a trusted relationship with a clinician who understands your story, goals, and progress.
Ready when you are
All three providers are accepting new patients.
Any of our clinicians can complete your initial evaluation — book whichever time works best, and if a different clinician turns out to be the better fit, we will tell you.