About Dr. Paula-Ann Francis

Dr. Paula-Ann Francis is a board-certified psychiatrist and forensic psychiatrist with more than 20 years of experience in the field of psychiatry, certified in both General Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). She founded Refresh TMS in 2013, and Ketamine Clear in 2025, around a simple belief: that meaningful healing happens when a person is cared for as a whole human being, mind, body, and lived experience, and never as a diagnosis or a set of symptoms.

Her path into medicine began at St. George's University School of Medicine, followed by her psychiatry residency at Maimonides Medical Center, where she served as Chief Resident, and a forensic psychiatry fellowship at SUNY Upstate Medical University. That training gave her both clinical depth and a careful, thoughtful way of understanding the many factors, biological, psychological, and personal, that shape how each patient experiences their mental health.

What patients tend to remember, though, is how it feels to sit across from her. Dr. Francis takes the time to listen, to ask questions others may not, and to understand the fuller story behind why someone is struggling. Whether the path forward involves rTMS (Exomind, Magstim, NeuroStar), Spravato (esketamine), or IV ketamine therapy, she sees these not as one-size-fits-all fixes but as tools within a broader, individualized plan, one shaped around your history, your goals, and your comfort, and adjusted as you progress.

Above all, Dr. Francis is committed to walking alongside her patients rather than simply directing their care. She creates a warm, unhurried, and genuinely supportive space where you are an active partner in every decision, where questions are welcomed, and where the goal is not only relief from symptoms but a lasting sense of clarity, resilience, and well-being.

Education & Training

  • Medical Degree — St. George's University School of Medicine
  • Psychiatry Residency & Chief Resident — Maimonides Medical Center
  • Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship — SUNY Upstate Medical University

Certifications & Specializations

  • Board Certified in Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry (ABPN)
  • Certified in the delivery of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
  • Certified in administration of IV Ketamine therapy (ASKP3)
  • Specialized in rTMS — Exomind, Magstim, NeuroStar
  • Spravato (esketamine) provider
  • BTL Emsella therapy

Treatment Philosophy

Dr. Francis is dedicated to excellence in mental healthcare and general well-being, providing compassionate, patient-centered psychiatric care that focuses on the whole person — not just symptoms.

Her integrative approach combines evidence-based treatment with advanced therapeutic options, ensuring every care plan is individualized and collaborative. Patients are active partners in their care, supported in a respectful and thoughtful environment designed to promote healing, improved function, resilience, and lasting well-being.

Since establishing her private practice in 2013, Dr. Francis has been extensively trained and certified in innovative, evidence-based treatments, including Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (NeuroStar, Magstim), Exomind brain stimulation, and BTL Emsella therapy.

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