PMHNP, 11 years of experience
Aderonke Akande (Addie) is a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. She has been a nurse since 2000 and worked as a Registered Nurse in various specialties for 7 years before returning to school for her advanced practice degrees. Working as a Family Nurse Practitioner in primary care, she felt the impact of the shortage of mental health care providers and lack of access to psychiatric care, which prompted her to further her education in mental health at Azusa Pacific University in California.
Embarking on your first session with me is a significant step toward understanding and improving your mental health. Here's what you can anticipate during this initial appointment: Comprehensive assessment. Open dialogue: I will use open dialogue to ask various open-ended questions to understand your situation thoroughly. Emotional responses: Discussing personal matters can evoke feelings like sadness, relief, or anxiety. Such reactions are expected, and I will provide a supportive environment to help you navigate them. Collaborative treatment plan: Toward the end of the session, an initial treatment plan tailored to your needs will be developed. Opportunity for questions: This is also a time to ask about your diagnosis, treatment options, or what to expect moving forward. Engaging actively in this discussion helps ensure that the care plan aligns with your preferences and goals. Remember, you are not alone in this journey, and I'm here to support you every step of the way.
As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP), I believe my greatest strengths lie in the following areas. Compassion and Empathy: I strive to understand and share my patients' feelings, creating a supportive environment that fosters healing and trust. This empathetic approach is essential in mental health care. Effective communication is vital in my role. It enables me to gather comprehensive patient histories, explain treatment plans clearly, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to provide holistic care. Maintaining emotional stability helps me navigate the challenges of mental health care, ensuring that I provide consistent and reliable support to my patients. Lastly, Staying updated with the latest advancements in psychiatric care ensures that I provide evidence-based treatments, reflecting my commitment to professional development and patient well-being. These strengths enable me to offer compassionate, effective, and personalized care to those seeking mental health support.
I am qualified to work with individuals across the lifespan, from early childhood to late adulthood. This includes providing care for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults, tailoring interventions to meet each age group's unique developmental and psychological needs. I'm equipped with various tools to address client's specific mental health concerns.
Supportive therapy is utilized as a guide to help clients navigate difficult situations. I have been using this for several years successfully. It involves empathic listening, offering encouragement, and providing a sense of safety. This will enable clients to develop coping mechanisms, build resilience, and manage stressors adequately.