Today we’d like to introduce you to Leah Lafountain.
Leah , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started my career in nursing because I’ve always been drawn to helping people. I always had a love and interest in anything mental health. My first job as a RN was at Shepherd Spinal Center, a place where most patients encountered the most difficult time of their life. Over the next few years, I found my calling in the mental health field. I also realized how much of an impact the right support and treatment can have on someone’s life. That led me to pursue my training as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
My journey has included working with a wide range of patients, from those struggling with anxiety, ADHD, and depression to more complex psychiatric conditions. Each step along the way has taught me the importance of compassion, listening, and tailoring treatment to the individual. Today, I’m proud to be in a role where I can combine medical expertise with a holistic, patient-centered approach—helping people not just manage symptoms, but truly improve their quality of life. That patient-centered approach is what led me to open my own practice.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been the pressure many providers face to meet unrealistic quotas—seeing a certain number of patients in a day, regardless of the complexity of their needs. In mental health, every person’s story is unique, and healing takes time. Trying to provide quality, compassionate care while working under productivity metrics can feel discouraging and even misaligned with why I went into this field in the first place.
That struggle has really pushed me to find a better balance and to branch out with my own practice. It hasn’t always been easy, but those challenges have shaped how I practice today and why I’m committed to doing this work differently.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My practice is dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-centered psychiatric care for Port Royal, South Carolina, and the surrounding Lowcountry community. We specialize in diagnosing and treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and more. What sets us apart is our focus on individualized treatment—we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Every patient’s story is unique, and our goal is to create a treatment plan that reflects that.
We’re proud to offer a practice environment where patients feel truly heard and supported, rather than rushed through appointments to meet quotas.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about the Lowcountry is its unique blend of natural beauty, history, and community. The coastal marshes, live oaks, and stunning sunsets create an environment that feels both peaceful and inspiring. The Lowcountry offers a quality of life that is hard to match. It’s a place where people can slow down, connect with others, and truly enjoy where they live. I especially appreciate the commitment that the Port Royal and Beaufort communities have made to preserving their historic charm. The careful attention to architecture, public spaces, and local traditions creates a sense of continuity and character that’s rare to find. It’s part of what makes the Lowcountry feel so special.
I am not a huge fan of the traffic in the lowcountry given I commute to Port Royal, but I think most everyone that lives here deals with this.
Pricing:
- I am a private, fee for service practice. This approach allows us to focus fully on you and your care, without the time pressures or restrictions that insurance can impose. (Something along these lines)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://palmettomentalwell.wixsite.com/leah-carter-lafounta
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/psychiatrists/leah-carter-lafountain-port-royal-sc/1465438
