I'm a highly experienced psychiatric nurse practitioner (Psych NP) with a solid foundation in both clinical practice and advanced education. With a master’s in nursing and an anticipated doctorate, my experience spans over 11 years in mental health. This includes 9 years as a psychiatric RN and 2.5 years as a Psych NP. This background allows me to bring a well-rounded perspective to patient care, integrating hands-on nursing experience with advanced practice skills in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. In the mental health field, my knowledge and commitment to education make me a valuable provider.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In the first psychiatric evaluation session, clients can expect a thorough, structured assessment designed to understand their mental health needs and develop a personalized treatment plan. Here’s what typically happens. Clients can expect to leave the first session with a better understanding of their mental health, an outline of the treatment process, and a sense of direction for their recovery. The goal is to help them feel heard, respected, and confident in moving forward with their care plan. I'll start by introducing myself, explaining my role, and setting a comfortable tone. We'll review the purpose of the evaluation, what it involves, and how the information will guide treatment. I'll discuss confidentiality and its limits (e.g., safety or legal requirements) to ensure clients feel safe sharing personal information. Next, I'll ask about their main concerns and symptoms, such as mood changes, anxiety, or substance use, to better understand their challenges. We'll also review their personal and family mental health history, medical background, and any physical health concerns. To get a holistic view, I’ll ask about their personal background (e.g., family, work, and social support) and lifestyle factors like exercise, sleep, and stress. I’ll conduct a brief risk assessment for immediate safety concerns. If applicable, I'll explain potential diagnoses and answer questions, outlining treatment options like therapy, medication, or lifestyle changes. Together, we’ll set treatment goals based on their preferences, discuss next steps, and encourage open communication to ensure they feel informed and supported. Finally, I’ll summarize our discussion and outline follow-up plans
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
As a provider, I believe my greatest strengths lie in my empathy, patient-centered approach, and commitment to ongoing learning. Empathy and Active Listening: I make it a priority to listen deeply to each patient’s experiences, concerns, and goals. I strive to create a safe, non-judgmental space, allowing patients to feel comfortable and understood. I believe this empathetic approach is essential for building trust and fostering open communication. Patient-Centered Approach: I am committed to treating each patient as a unique individual with distinct needs, challenges, and strengths. I work collaboratively with patients to set goals and develop treatment plans that align with their values and lifestyles, empowering them to take an active role in their care. Commitment to Continuous Learning: I’m dedicated to staying updated on evidence-based practices, emerging treatments, and current research in the field. This commitment helps me provide the best possible care and ensures I’m equipped with effective tools and knowledge to address complex mental health needs. These strengths allow me to provide compassionate, personalized care that respects each patient's journey, enhancing both the therapeutic experience and outcomes.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I provider care for patients and individuals facing a range of complex mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder, major depression, anxiety, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, OCD, PTSD, and other psychiatric disorders. Each of these conditions presents unique challenges, from managing mood instability in bipolar disorder to addressing psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, or helping patients cope with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, or the traumatic effects of PTSD. I provide comprehensive care tailored to these diverse needs, utilizing medication management, psychotherapy, and patient education to support recovery and improve quality of life. My approach emphasizes compassion and expertise, guiding patients through difficult symptoms and helping them achieve stability and resilience.
About Lovester Duncan
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
My experience as a PMHNP in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has provided me with valuable skills to assist clients in redefining unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. I have been able to empower clients to address complex issues like anxiety, depression, and trauma because of my understanding of CBT's structured, goal-oriented nature. I have helped them set achievable improvement steps for improvement. As a result of my expertise in thought records, cognitive restructuring, and exposure therapy, I am able to assist clients in developing resilience and sustainable mental health strategies. Moreover, this experience has enhanced my ability to tailor CBT interventions according to the needs of individual clients, resulting in lasting, positive outcomes for them. As a PMHNP, I would guide clients through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) by structuring sessions around each of these key techniques, helping them develop long-term coping strategies and positive mental health habits: Thought Records: I would introduce thought records as a journaling tool, guiding clients to record their automatic thoughts, especially those tied to distressing emotions. Together, we would review these thoughts in session, identifying patterns of negative thinking, and work on developing alternative, more balanced responses. Over time, clients gain insight into how their thoughts affect their emotions and behavior and learn to challenge their negative assumptions independently. Cognitive Restructuring: In this step, I would help clients identify core beliefs that may be unhelpful or distorted, such as "I always fail" or "People will reject me." We would work together to break down these beliefs, question their validity, and replace them with healthier, more adaptive beliefs. This restructuring process can help clients reframe their thinking in a way that reduces distress and increases resilience. Exposure Therapy: For clients dealing with anxiety or trauma, I would use gradual exposure techniques, creating a hierarchy of feared situations. Starting with less intense situations, I would support clients as they face these fears step-by-step, providing a safe space to process their reactions and build confidence. Over time, this gradual exposure reduces the intensity of their fears, helping them manage anxiety in real-life situations. Behavioral Activation: I would encourage clients, particularly those struggling with depression, to engage in enjoyable or meaningful activities to counteract avoidance and low energy. We would brainstorm together to create a list of activities, setting small, manageable goals each week. This practice not only boosts mood but also reinforces a positive feedback loop, where engaging in life leads to feeling better and more motivated. Mindfulness Practices: Teaching mindfulness skills allows clients to observe their thoughts and emotions without judgment, which is especially useful for managing anxiety, depression, and impulsive reactions. I would introduce techniques such as deep breathing, grounding exercises, and mindful observation, helping clients practice these in session and then apply them in everyday situations. With time, mindfulness helps clients become more aware and accepting of their internal experiences, reducing reactivity and promoting self-compassion. In each session, I would set specific goals based on the client’s needs, ensuring they feel supported and encouraged to practice these techniques outside of therapy. By doing so, I aim to help clients build lasting skills for self-management and resilience.