- 2024 Winner Best of Charlottesville
Welcome To
Jimmy Howell (Founder/Owner of MFM) was a D1 athlete and a four-year starter for the University of Virginia Football Team. He received many accolades during his time as an elite athlete and had the opportunity to try out for the NFL. As Jimmy’s physical fitness peaked, his mental health suffered greatly.
Mental health was never discussed or prioritized throughout his life, so when his sense of self began to crumble, Jimmy started searching for an answer. What he discovered was that his “mental fitness” should have been prioritized just as much as his physical fitness. As his football career came to an end, Jimmy wanted to find a way to help others to optimize their overall health, sense of being and wellness. This is what led to “Mental Fitness Matters” and the creation of this private practice in Charlottesville, VA.
Jimmy is a dually certified pediatric nurse practitioner and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. He is a four-time graduate from the University of Virginia, most recently obtaining his second Masters of Science in Nursing as a PMHNP and PNP. Jimmy has 9+ years of experience working as a mental health professional.
Jimmy is a former D1 athlete and won many accolades in his time as a 4-year starting punter at UVA.
Jimmy is a strong believer in treating the whole person and incorporates this into all of his care plans.
Mary brings 8+ years of experience as a Pediatric Nurse. She holds a Masters of Science in Nursing from the UVA School of Nursing and is certified as a pediatric nurse and clinical nurse leader.
She functions as the practice manager and care coordinator for patients.
She also teaches the next generation of nurses at UVA School of Nursing. In her spare time, she wrangles tiny humans at home and enjoys traveling to new places with her family.
Bram, a Nelson County native, is a Supervisee in Social Work working toward his LCSW. He holds an Masters of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and specializes in therapy for youth and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship challenges.
Bram draws on his background as a school social worker, mentor, and coach, and integrates cognitive behavioral, strengths-based, and humanistic approaches.
He believes healing grows through connection, creativity, and trust and often brings nature, music, and laughter into his work.
Juliana specializes in comprehensive mental health care across the lifespan. With five years of foundational experience as a pediatric nurse at the University of Virginia (UVA), she brings a deep understanding of developmental health to her psychiatric practice. A graduate of Simmons University in Boston, MA, Julianna is currently advancing her expertise by pursuing certification in pediatric integrative psychiatry.
Her practice focuses on root-cause mental health care, including medication management and therapy, for children, adolescents, and young adults. She also provides personalized support for individuals of all ages navigating medication discontinuation and perinatal mental health concerns.
Julianna is a longtime resident of Charlottesville, where she has raised four grown children and enjoys hiking, swimming, and spending time in Maine with her family.
With a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Marketing and more than 10 years of healthcare experience, she brings a strong background in both communication and patient care.
Her medical experience includes working in pediatrics at UVA Health and at a local private practice, giving her a well-rounded understanding of the healthcare field and the importance of creating a positive experience for every patient and family.
Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her husband and their two children. Family, connection, and creating meaningful memories are at the heart of what she values most.
Jacqueline Boone, MSN, PMHNP-BC, AGACNP-BC is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with nearly two decades of experience in healthcare. She is a military veteran and a mother of four, identities that deeply inform her grounded, compassionate approach to care.
Jacqueline’s clinical background spans acute and critical care, cardiovascular medicine, oncology, and hospital-based practice. Her work is further informed by advanced training in Functional Medicine, integrative mental health, and energy-based modalities. She is a Reiki Master and thoughtfully integrates mind–body and energetic awareness into her clinical approach when aligned with patient values and preferences.
Jacqueline believes healing happens best in spaces where people feel truly seen, heard, and respected. She partners with patients to address not only symptoms, but also the emotional, lifestyle, and spiritual factors that influence mental health and overall well-being. Her approach emphasizes presence, collaboration, and care that honors the full humanity of each individual.
Jacqueline primarily works with adolescents and adults who are seeking collaborative, integrative psychiatric care and are open to exploring the emotional, lifestyle, and spiritual factors influencing their mental health. Many clients present with anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, stress, burnout, and emotional overwhelm, often in the context of significant life transitions.
She has a particular interest in supporting individuals navigating perimenopausal and menopausal transitions, as well as transitions in motherhood, where hormonal shifts, identity changes, and cumulative stress can significantly impact mental and emotional well-being. Jacqueline partners with clients who value a whole-person approach to healing, integrating evidence-based psychiatric care with attention to nervous system regulation, personal meaning, and overall well-being.
Mental Fitness Matters is equipped to treat individuals ages 5-99. We specialize in treating the whole span with a focus in treating children, adolescents, young adults, and women.
We can diagnose and treat all psychiatric conditions; however, we specialize in the following conditions:
- Adjustment Problems
- Anxiety Disorders
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Depression
- Behavioral Disorders at Home and School
- Personality and Mood Disorders
A team of certified professionals committed to walking alongside your child and family as you work towards improved mental health. We are in this together!
Mental Fitness Matters is in-network with several insurance companies. Please see the "insurance" tab for more information. If we are out-of-network with your insurance, we accept cash/credit care and can supply a "super bill" for submission to insurance companies for consideration of reimbursement.
We know physical fitness matters for overall health, but what about mental fitness? Mental fitness is a state of well-being that helps you feel, think, and act in a positive way.
By being “mentally fit”, you develop the ability to achieve a more positive state of mind, regulate emotions effectively, and think logically despite the stressors of life and unexpected setbacks. Perfection is NOT the goal. Just like there is no such thing as perfection in physical fitness.
Everyone has off days.
Sometimes injuries require us to work a little harder and rehab our fitness. The important thing is to recognize the importance of mental fitness, just as society does with physical fitness, and work toward an improved overall sense of self.
We would love to help work alongside you in your pursuit of mental fitness.