Our Providers - Brainerd Lakes Psychiatry

A woman with short blonde hair and blue eyes, one of our trusted providers, smiles gently at the camera. She is wearing a black blazer over a patterned white and black top, posed against a plain light background.

Twyla Gifford APRN-CNP, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC Medical Director

Twyla Gifford is the founder and Medical Director of Brainerd Lakes Area Psychiatry. With extensive experience as a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, she is dedicated to providing comprehensive psychiatric care to children, adolescents, and adults. Twyla opened the practice to address critical community needs, offering personalized treatment for depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health concerns, including innovative options like Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and medication management. Her goal is to help patients reclaim their lives, joy, and well-being in a supportive environment.

Smiling man with short curly hair, glasses, and a trimmed beard wearing a navy blue collared shirt over a white undershirt, posed against a plain light background—perfect for profiles of trusted providers.

Sam Norwood
TMS Coordinator

Sam Norwood is the TMS Coordinator at Brainerd Lakes Area Psychiatry, specializing in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy. In this role, he guides patients through non-invasive, FDA-approved TMS treatments designed to provide relief from depression and other conditions when traditional approaches have not been sufficient. Sam is passionate about supporting individuals on their path to better mental health, offering compassionate coordination and education throughout the treatment process.

Our Providers: A woman with wavy, shoulder-length blonde hair and glasses smiles at the camera. She is wearing a blue patterned blouse and silver hoop earrings, posed against a plain light background.

Sheila Hunter
Office Manager

Sheila Hunter serves as the Office Manager at Brainerd Lakes Area Psychiatry, where she ensures smooth operations and a positive experience for every patient. With a warm, organized approach, Sheila handles administrative needs, scheduling, and team coordination to support the practice’s mission of accessible, high-quality mental health care. Her dedication helps create a welcoming and efficient environment for patients and staff alike.