Lem Scott
If you have been carrying anxiety, depression, or trauma while also wrestling with substance use, it can feel like no one is treating the whole picture. I do. I am a doctorally-prepared, board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner (DNP, PMHNP-BC), and I provide medication management for adults 18 and older, including Suboxone (buprenorphine) for opioid use disorder and medication for alcohol use disorder. I do not prescribe benzodiazepines e.g. Ativan or Xanax. So much of feeling better starts with feeling understood. I treat trauma and PTSD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and sleep concerns, and I am comfortable treating these alongside addiction in the same visit, so you do not have to tell your story twice or bounce between providers. Expect clear conversations, shared decisions, and a plan built around your real life. I explain the reasoning behind every recommendation in plain language. My background spans crisis, inpatient, and outpatient psychiatry, and I teach in Duke University's PMHNP program. Outside of clinic, you will usually find me outdoors, camping or at the grill, which keeps me grounded for this work. If you have been waiting for the right moment to start, this could be it. I would love to connect and see if we are a good fit. Please fill out your intake paperwork no later than the day before your appointment.
First session
Our first visit is unhurried. We spend real time on what has been happening, what you have already tried, and what feeling better would actually look like for you. I will not rush to a prescription. If medication is the right tool, I will explain the reasoning so you are a partner in the decision, not a bystander. If you are managing both a mental health condition and substance use, we address them together in the same plan, including Suboxone for opioid use disorder when that fits. Self-pay rates: Initial 60-minute psychiatric evaluation is $325. Follow-up medication management visits (20-30 min) are $200.
Strengths
I see the whole person, not a diagnosis. I pair evidence-based prescribing with genuine listening, and I am comfortable holding the harder conversations, like trauma and addiction, without judgment. My experience across crisis, inpatient, and outpatient care means I can meet you whether things feel steady or overwhelming, and my teaching work at Duke keeps me current on what actually works.
Ideal clients
Adults 18 and older who want a prescriber who treats the whole picture. I work especially well with people carrying both a mental health condition and substance use, those healing from trauma, first responders and military, and anyone who has felt rushed or unheard in past psychiatric care. If you are ready for a different kind of psychiatric experience, I am here.
Treatment methods
Motivational Interviewing
I use motivational interviewing to help clients explore ambivalence, build intrinsic motivation for change, and align their goals with treatment.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT helps clients identify and restructure negative thought patterns that contribute to depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions.
Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma-informed care guides all interactions by recognizing the widespread impact of trauma and integrating this knowledge into treatment approaches.
Supportive
Supportive therapy provides a compassionate, non-judgmental space for clients to process challenges and build resilience with consistent guidance.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions8300 Health Park, Raleigh, NC 27615, Suite 201
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Licensed in
- North CarolinaLicense 5016467