About us
About us
Healing Begins With Understanding
Dr. Kathleen Estimé - Founder
Our Story
Fortis Mentis was founded in 2024 by Dr. Kathleen, a 100% service-connected veteran who understands firsthand the complexities of trauma, healing, and the barriers to meaningful care. After years of navigating mental health systems that often felt disconnected and impersonal, she envisioned a better way—one that honors both the science of psychiatry and the humanity of each patient.
Driven by this mission, Fortis Mentis was born: a practice built not just to treat conditions, but to support people. What began as one clinician’s determination to do things differently has grown into a full-spectrum wellness model designed to guide individuals toward lasting balance and clarity.
Our Mission & Values
At Fortis Mentis, our mission is to provide compassionate, individualized mental health care that empowers every client—mind, body, and soul. We are committed to creating a space where healing is not only possible but sustainable, where each person feels seen, heard, and supported from the very first session through their ongoing wellness journey.
Our work is grounded in empathy and guided by clinical excellence. We believe that true healing begins with listening—deep, active listening—and is sustained through trust, consistency, and connection. Integrity informs every interaction, from transparent communication to ethical decision-making. We are deeply committed to equity in care, serving communities that are often overlooked or underserved, especially middle-aged women and veterans. Everything we do is rooted in a whole-person wellness philosophy that honors the complex relationship between the mind, body, and lifestyle.
Our Approach to Care
At Fortis Mentis, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. We understand that mental wellness is deeply personal, shaped by life experience, biology, community, and circumstance. That’s why our approach is both integrative and adaptive, blending the rigor of clinical psychiatry with the insights of therapy, functional medicine, and nutritional support.
Our process begins with thoughtful diagnostic and pre-screening conversations to ensure that care starts with a full understanding of who you are—not just what you’re struggling with. From there, clients receive personalized treatment plans that may include therapy, medication management, and lifestyle guidance tailored to their unique goals and needs. Our incorporation of nutritional psychiatry—using food-based strategies and nutraceuticals—adds another layer of depth to support emotional balance, energy, and cognitive clarity.
But perhaps what most distinguishes our approach is our commitment to continuity. We stay with you through every stage of your care, offering consistent support until healing becomes your new normal. And as we grow, we’re building toward an even more robust system of case management and care coordination—so you’re never navigating this path alone.
Founder & Clinical Director
Dr. Kathleen Estimé, PMHNP
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I started Fortis Mentis because I knew there had to be a better way. As a veteran and a provider, I’ve seen the gaps in our systems—and I’ve also seen the power of what happens when people feel seen, safe, and supported. My goal is to offer that to every person who walks through our (virtual) doors.
— Dr. Kathleen
Florida | New York | Idaho | District of Columbia
A Full-Spectrum Wellness Model
Our Commitment to You
Secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth appointments
Services licensed across multiple states
Support for diverse communities
A consistent, judgment-free experience
