My name is Lola Murray and I am a psychiatric nurse practitioner here at Grow Therapy. You are probably affiliated with Grow because you are seeking to maintain or restore your mental health. Well done on taking the time to optimize the quality of your life! One of the main models of health is called the biopsychosocial model. It was developed in 1977 by George Engel and proposes that health is based on the interplay between the 3 components- the biological, the psychological, and the social. Those of us who work in the healthcare professions are typically trained to understand and address 1 of these 3 components of health. Many of the clinicians at Grow are therapists or social workers, specializing in the psychological and social elements of health and wellbeing. As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, my role is to address the biological. In the specialty of psychiatry, this means conducting a psychiatric assessment and identifying the neurochemical (the molecules and ions that regulate the functioning of your nervous system) contributors to the manifestation of your psychiatric symptoms. Many factors can influence your neurochemistry, ranging from co-morbid medical conditions to genetics to daily sunlight exposure.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
The purpose of our appointments will be to evaluate your psychiatric symptoms as a means to assess your response to treatment. While psychotherapy appointments generally last between 45 and 60 minutes, our appointments are typically completed within 15 minutes, but can be longer if needed. Initial appointments take 45 to 60 minutes, allotting time for a more thorough assessment of your symptoms and psychiatric history.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
A lot of people have a lot of opinions regarding psychiatric medications. The only one that matters is yours. My job is to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about your mental health. I am very committed to patient education, explaining the risks and benefits of the available treatment options, and providing space for you to select an approach that you feel good about. My primary aim is to ensure your ongoing commitment to the treatment plan.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Before becoming a nurse practitioner, I was a medical nurse at a hospital for 10 years. I remain rooted in the nursing profession, centered on respecting human dignity and being attuned to the needs of my patients. My experience in psychiatry began in psychiatric emergency services and competency restoration (individuals involved in the criminal justice system with severe psychiatric illness). In this role, I gained experience in the treatment and management of psychotic, bipolar spectrum, and substance use disorders. I then assumed a role that allowed me to work with adults as well as the child and adolescent population. I specialized in mood disorders (anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder) and their subtypes as well as behavioral disorders.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
My regular clients are people that take psychiatric medications or believe they may benefit from taking psychiatric medications. I also provide consults regarding lifestyle factors (food, exercise) that benefit mental health.