Megen Yerman
I am a psychiatric nurse practitioner with 6 years of experience working with a wide range of clients whose main role is to prescribe medication while providing supplemental therapy. I take a lot of thought before suggesting medications and gather an extensive history ensure it is warranted.
Systemic change comes from symptom reduction, often times with medication, so you can work on the biological changes with therapy.
Medication has a time and place, but it is not always needed and it is not for everyone. I do my best to ensure if I am prescribing it, I believe it will help. I gather information and ask purposeful questions to help guide my decisions. At the end of the initial appointment I will provide suggestions and options and, together, we will formulate a treatment plan. You are the most important person in the appointment and you always have a say in the decisions made. I have extensive experience working with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, mood swings, anger, trauma, sleep disturbance, and autism, and I look forward to meeting with you.
First session
Our first appointment together will primarily be a history gathering appointment. I will ask pertinent questions regarding past mental health treatments, previous medications, hospitalizations, comorbid medical conditions, and your current symptoms. This will help guide my decision making process and consider the best treatment option specific to your needs. Towards the end of the appointment we will discuss if starting medication (or continuing your current medication(s) if you are on any) is the best decision for you, and if so we will have a collaborative discussion on options. Clients generally feel an improvement after the first few sessions. While we focus on stabilizing your condition appointments are generally every 2-4 weeks. Once stabilized appointments can be stretched to every 1-3 months.
Strengths
My clients tell me I am easy to talk to. I love to listen and ask questions and there is never any judgement. It is hard enough to be vulnerable and talk about your mental health without worrying about being judged. I have seen and heard a lot in my 6 years, there is not much that can surprise me. My goal is to make every client feel like they are my only client. I provide detailed comprehensive care, am available in between appointments for minor questions or concerns, and offer flexible hours to work around busy schedules. Each client is important to me. You will never feel like you are 'just a number'. I enjoy learning new skills and knowledge and passing that information along to my clients. I believe mental health treatment is more than just prescribing medication. It should encompass lifestyle modifications, psychoeducation, motivation, and support. Taking a pill is easy, but that's not where the most radical change will occur. Systemic change comes from symptom reduction, often times with medication, so you can work on the biological changes with therapy. Just like diet and exercise, both, help with weight loss. Medication and therapy together will give you the biggest positive change.
Ideal clients
I would like to help those who are willing to be honest with me and open minded. I want to help those who are willing to be consistent with care and put in effort outside of our appointments, as well. My goal is to stabilize you with medications, help you with some therapeutic techniques, and then hopefully decrease or wean you off medications completely, as appropriate. I would like to help those who are open to medication management but also other interventions like, behavioral modifications and education to empower themselves. I like to consider the 'whole picture' and address it accordingly because everything is connected. Depression and anxiety is my bread and butter. I live and breathe to help individuals struggling with sadness and worry, so let me help you. Of note, since I am telehealth based I am unwilling to prescribe controlled substances (i.e. Xanax, Ativan, valium, klonopin, adderal, Ritalin, etc.). I am also ill equipped to assist those actively experiencing suicidal ideation, current nonlethal self harm, addiction, or psychosis. I would recommend in person sessions for those individuals for additional support for their safety.
Treatment methods
Psychoeducation
Education is an important part of the treatment process. I like to provide in session education along with handouts to my clients because knowledge is power.
Mind-body approach
Everything is connected. If the mind is out of sync, then so is the body and vice versa. Techniques like medication, breath work, and somatic experiencing can help connect the two and release stored tension.
Supportive
Sometimes you just need to feel like someone is in your corner. I use supportive techniques to help build self esteem and utilize coping skills to overcome stressors and find inner strength.
Motivational Interviewing
Client's are often the ones holding themselves back. Motivational interviewing allows us to explore behavior patterns, identifying willingness for change, and find intrinsic motivation.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Serves
Licensed in
- IowaLicense G185619
- OhioLicense APRN.CNP.026270
- WashingtonLicense ARNP.AP.61607968-NP