The dismissal of my symptoms (and subsequent effects) happened to me, and I'm a masters educated medical professional.  You are NOT alone.  We are conditioned to listen to authority, even when it hurts us. ​ I've sought care personally and for my patients across Arkansas, and believe that with focus on mental health, wellness, and the best medical care available; women can move through burnout and truly thrive. ​ As a nurse practitioner, evidence is the foundation of my practice.  I review literature, studies, analysis of interventions, and look at your health from your mental wellness as well as your physical condition.  ​ I use my first name in the clinic, because I want to relate to you.  I honor your presence and trust in my care.  I want care plans and needed interventions to be conversational and collaborative with you, not prescriptive.  Collaboration is key to success, and with my holistic view, I provide excellent clinical care with the heart of a nurse.  Your care is my priority, and hearing your story (and being invited to share it!) is an honor.  Participating in your care is a privilege, and I don't take it for granted. ​  I'm proud to be a Nurse Practitioner.  I've been certified and credentialed as a nurse practitioner with specialty expertise in Acute Care since 2011.  In 2022, I took a leap of faith and went back to school to re-certify in psychiatry and mental health.  In April of 2023, I was granted full independent practice in the State of Arkansas in Acute Care.  In my specialty of Acute Care, I've seen thousands of patients on their worst day and guided them through critical illness and time sensitive decision, often life or death.  Over time, I grew more and more frustrated to be at the end of a persons journey rather than at a point where I could intervene and make a difference in their quality of life.  I am tired of seeing my patients, friends, colleagues, and fellow caregivers going through symptoms without diagnosis and experiencing suffering.  I became a PMHNP to help break this cycle, and to provide care for women who are worn out. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP) are masters (or doctorally) educated in the profession of Nursing.  PMHNPs are trained in holistic care with evidence, psychotherapy, and psychopharmacology.  We must take comprehensive board exams to show mastery of specialty knowledge, and  by showing this mastery, we then become certified by the American Nurse Credentialing Center.  After certification in our specialty area, we apply for state licensure and must provide evidence of our education, certification, preceptorship, graduate education, and psychopharmacology education.  For at least three years after certification and licensure in a specialty, we must collaborate with a physician; but are not supervised by a physician. We have physician colleagues that we cultivate relationships with, refer patients to see as necessary, and work with our collaborator for mentorship and growth.  As necessary, we consult with our physician colleagues (not only our collaborating physician) to ensure we are giving everyone the highest level of care.  Every year, prescribing protocols, quality assurance, and chart reviews must be performed and documented with our collaborating physician.  My collaborating physician and I are in close contact and if you are on any schedule II medications, we will, we will both be on your care team.  Arkansas does not allow APRNs to initiate stimulant medications, but an APRN can continue it in collaboration with a physician colleague under ARSBN rules. ​ Let's start this journey and walk through this together.