Hello, I'm a psychiatric nurse practitioner in Tennessee. I have a combined experience of over 7 years in acute care nursing and mental health care. I'm passionate about providing holistic and individualized care to my patients. I believe in looking at the whole person, understanding that your mental and physical health are deeply connected. My goal is to support you in achieving overall well-being by addressing not just your immediate concerns, but also the fundamental elements that contribute to your mental and emotional health. My approach integrates traditional psychiatric care with a comprehensive understanding of possible underlying conditions possibly contributing to the diagnosis. This allows me to develop personalized treatment plans that consider the complex interplay between your mental and physical health. I have found this approach to be particularly effective in managing complex cases where mental and physical health concerns intersect.
Our first session together will mark the beginning of a supportive and collaborative therapeutic relationship. During this session, I'll conduct an initial assessment to gather information about your mental health history, current symptoms, and relevant life circumstances. This will involve discussing your emotional well-being, past treatments, family dynamics, and personal strengths. You can also expect to discuss your expectations for treatment and ask any questions. Together, we will collaboratively establish goals and develop a personalized treatment plan, using innovative strategies and evidence-based practices to empower you on your journey toward healing and growth, and achieving your mental health goals.
My greatest strengths as a provider is ability to listen and provide compassionate care to every patient. My personal experiences with lack of connection with providers put me in a place of understanding the need for patient-provider relationship and the ability to work together to create the best plan of care for you.
Ideally, the patient I work best with is someone who's really engaged in their own care. That means they're willing to be an active participant in their treatment, whether that involves medications or making changes to their lifestyle. It's also important that they come to their appointments regularly and feel comfortable talking openly about what they are experiencing. A strong desire for change is also key. They also understand that mental and physical health are connected, and they're open to addressing both sides of that. The treatment plan we create is a roadmap. Effective communication is crucial, too. The ability to express your thoughts, feelings, and concerns clearly and honestly helps us build a strong working relationship. And that relationship itself is important – it's about developing a trusting and respectful partnership where we can work together.
I use cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, to help you identify a new way of solving problems in your life. We look at those automatic thoughts that pop up and work on seeing things in a more realistic and functional way to go about life's challenges. Plus, I work to teach new skills by figuring out solutions to deal with negative thoughts. We work to make simplified ways to cope so you can make positive changes stick for a lifetime.
I integrate mindfulness-based therapy into my practice to help patients cultivate present moment awareness and non-judgmental acceptance of their experiences. I educate individuals on the benefits of mindfulness for managing mental health symptoms and incorporate practices like meditation and mindful breathing into their care. Together, we develop personalized strategies to integrate mindfulness into daily life, fostering greater emotional regulation and self-awareness as part of a holistic approach to wellness. By combining mindfulness with other therapeutic modalities and psychopharmacology when needed, I strive to empower patients on their journey toward mental well-being.
I recognize the profound and widespread impact of trauma on individuals' mental and emotional well-being and prioritize creating a safe and supportive environment for all my patients. My approach shifts the focus from "what's wrong?" to understanding "what happened," allowing us to work collaboratively towards healing and recovery. By integrating knowledge about trauma into every aspect of care, I aim to prevent re-traumatization and empower individuals on their journey towards resilience and wellness.