My name is Munya Rwakonda PMHNP and Dr of Philosophy. I have been a nurse for 19 years working is several settings and have encountered clients with mental health in different states. Some in acute care having heart of kidney transplants, in ICU during serious illnesses. I also have been in a Psychiatric Emergency room in University Hospital a. I have been in an IOP for pediatrics. Currently, I am in a private practice and see children from five years to adolescents and across the life span. I have worked with clients with mental health in different settings and all stages of illnesses and wish to continue that journey. Now I will be seeing clients virtually or in person and everyone is welcome. Mental health is a journey, not a destination, I will be your companion, attentive and allow you to be the best version of yourself. Being resilient, consistent, persistent is the gold standard to attain top notch mental health care. At Zambezi NP in Psychiatry, I will listen to you and will discuss treatment options. You are allowed to participate in your care, your input matters and one is more likely to be compliant if they are not being forced to do something they do not want to do.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

The initial session to learn more about you, your goals, and your expectations. Typically, I wish to understand why you’re seeking mental health, where you’re coming from, what you’re looking for, and your end goal. Choice of communication method, response times, and availability for check-ins between sessions. How you’ll handle cancellations, rescheduling, and missed sessions. Maintaining a professional and ethical therapeutic relationship. Preferred therapeutic approaches and techniques. Availability for appointments, especially if you have scheduling constraints. Establishing the ground rules helps avoid problematic issues down the line and ensures a seamless process that may accelerate your progress. Develop a treatment plan based on goals.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

Having worked with clients with mental health in different stages of life and different states of illnesses, from acute, to crisis in the ED and lock down unit, to intensive outpatient (IOP), I feel that I am a well-rounded provider who understands mental health in different health states. I am not just focused on stable outpatient clients, but I will meet you wherever you are in your life. mental health is a journey, and it is important to pick the right people as travel companions,

Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.

Childhood mental health is “the achievement of development and emotional milestones, healthy social development, and effective coping skills, such that mentally healthy children have a positive quality of life and can function well at home, in school, and in their communities” (Perou, et al. 2013, p. 2). When mental, emotional, and behavioral health disorders are not effectively treated, the impact on the individual, their families, and society more broadly can be devastating and long-lasting. It is my hope that I help parents, and their children attain optimal functioning by treating the underlying symptoms, and function in society. Biological factors such as genes, psychological factors such as stress, and social factors such as culture – interplay to impact health status. The same applies to adolescents and adults from different background, I see an individual as a part of this puzzle, it is important to integrate nutrition, stress, culture and medication management as well as therapy for better functioning. For adults, I will provide holistic, compassionate, and recovery-oriented care consistent with current legal, ethical and evidence-based standards of advanced practice psychiatric/mental health nursing to individuals, families, and populations across the lifespan.

About Munyaradzi Rwakonda