Practice Approach
We have an unwavering appreciation and consideration of the complex relationship between the brain, mind, and spirit. As a Chico psychiatrist group, we treat a broad range of adult psychiatric conditions, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, age related disorders of cognition and mood, trauma based disorders, and personality disorders, can be addressed. The practice has significant experience with complex diagnostic and treatment/medication issues. Our clinicians are also familiar and able to make recommendations regarding other forms of treatment not provided directly by our practice. We are very interested in providing medical therapy that is based on more traditional approaches to patient needs. Medications are prescribed in the context of providing supportive, compassionate care with an understanding of and feedback regarding, underlying emotional and psychological processes. We value patients who are able to be actively involved in their treatment.
Francis McDermott, MD
Psychiatrist
Dr. McDermott graduated from St. Joseph University with his bachelor’s degree in Biology and minor in Philosophy. After completing his primary medical education at the Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1992, Dr. McDermott continued on to complete his residency in General Adult Psychiatry at the Eastern Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute in 1995. During residency, Dr. McDermott was appointed as a Chief Resident and received an award in medical student education. After completing residency in 1995, Dr. McDermott moved to Chico and opened a private practice. Dr. McDermott has been continuously licensed in good standing in California since 1995 and has acted as a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology since 2000. Dr. McDermott is an active member of the medical staff at Enloe Medical Center and regularly participates in duties at Enloe Behavioral Health.
Concurrent to his private practice, Dr. McDermott has been involved with other agencies in Butte County as well. For several years, he functioned as a clinician and medical reviewer for Butte County Behavioral Health as well as Psychiatric Medical Director for North State Home Health and Addus Home Health consecutively over a 15 year period, and interim Medical Director at Enloe Behavioral Health. On occasion, Dr. McDermott has participated in lectures to both community and professional audiences as a Chico psychiatrist. More recently, he has been focusing on developing his private practice to better serve his patients and the surrounding community. With this goal in mind, Dr. McDermott has added additional practitioners to his practice.
Ivan Gossage
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Ivan Gossage was born, raised, and educated in rural Northern California. He graduated from Chico State in 2005 with a Bachelors of Arts degree in philosophy, with minors in Ethics and Religious Studies. This education spurred an interest in psychology, so when he pursued nursing as a career path, he naturally gravitated towards psychiatric nursing.
After gaining an Associate’s degree in nursing at Feather River College, and a Bachelor’s degree in nursing at Chico State while working primarily at Butte County Behavioral Health, he continued on to get his Master’s degree in nursing while working at Enloe Behavioral Health. He has been a part of and has had good standing with the mental healthcare community in Butte County for almost 15 years and he is accredited as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
While recognizing that psychopharmacology is an integral aspect of psychiatric treatment, Ivan embraces a holistic approach to psychiatric care in general, with consideration for all of the factors that pertain to mental health, including behavioral patterns, social/cultural contexts, family dynamics, and spiritual connections. While adhering to ethical and legal considerations, attending to evidence-based practice with regard to treatment and safety, and maintaining therapeutic boundaries, Ivan places a high value on patient autonomy, as well as transparency between patient and provider.
Nancy Ellison
Office Manager
Nancy was raised in Paradise. She has been working in healthcare since 1986 and moved quickly into a supervisory position and in due course into management. She has been with our practice since 2008.
Nancy has successfully managed multiple specialties including Urgent Care, Family Practice, and ENT. Her favorite specialty is psychiatry, where her personality and demeanor work very well.
Nancy loves to help people and moves through the multitude of problems that arise with apparent ease. Her strengths include excellent communication skills, transparency, accurate accounting, and the ability to explain complex issues such as insurance in a meaningful and understandable way.
Nancy values moral and ethical ideals. Accuracy is very important to her. She is a great liaison between the patient and the providers and builds relationships with our staff and visitors.