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FirstLine

Helping you become your own therapist.

At FirstLine Behavioral Health, we focus on providing the best, evidence-based, first-line treatments for common mental health and life challenges in a small, local, independent private practice.

Independent. Local. Personal.

Founded by brothers and life-long Mainers Naf and Josh, FirstLine Behavioral Health is a private practice born of our experiences in healthcare and dedicated to evidence-based treatment for meaningful change.

Cogntive behavioral therapy and psychiatric servcies in downtown Bangor Maine

Our approach

We believe effective mental health treatment should be collaborative, individualized, and grounded in evidence-based care. Our practice emphasizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with a strong behavioral focus for a variety of conditions including anxiety, depression, sleep, trauma, and relationship challenges. We help clients identify patterns that may be contributing to emotional distress while developing strategies that support meaningful and lasting change. Treatment is not one-size-fits-all: every care plan is tailored to the individual’s needs, goals, lifestyle, and preferences.

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In-Person and remote options

Our office is located in Bangor, ME. Can’t make it into the office? No worries – we’ve got you covered with telehealth.

 

our office

Conveniently located at 6 State St. in downtown Bangor, ME. Parking is readily available.

Our services

  • Line drawing of an armchair with high wingback and curved armrests on a black background.

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

  • Outline illustration of a medicine bottle with a cross symbol on the label, set against a black background.

    Pharmacotherapy

  • White outline of a target with concentric circles, and a dart hitting the bullseye on a black background.

    Coaching

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Our Team

Josh Richie, PMHNP-C

Josh's path to psychiatry has been shaped by a diverse background in science and frontline healthcare. After studying biological anthropology, he spent more than a decade caring for patients as both a paramedic and a psychiatric nurse before earning a Master of Science in Nursing and becoming a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-C).

Drawing on experiences in anthropology, emergency medicine, and psychiatry, Josh appreciates that every person's challenges are influenced by a unique combination of biology, psychology, and life circumstances. He is committed to delivering thoughtful, evidence-based treatment while recognizing that meaningful care must also reflect each individual's lived experience, preferences, and personal goals.

Naf Richie, PMHNP-C

Naf began his professional career as a mechanical engineer in the aerospace industry before transitioning to nursing, where he discovered a passion for mental health while working at a state psychiatric hospital. He went on to earn a Master of Science in Nursing and became board-certified as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-C).

Naf's background in engineering shaped the way he approaches clinical care. He values careful analysis, critical thinking, and a commitment to following the best available evidence rather than convention or habit. He believes effective psychiatric treatment requires both scientific rigor and thoughtful clinical judgment, recognizing that every individual presents with a unique combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. His goal is to help clients understand their treatment options, make informed decisions, and receive care that is both evidence-based and tailored to their individual needs.

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