ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I'm a Psychiatric NP, currently meandering my way through the trials, tribulations, and joys of my profession. I love what I do and would not change it for all the world. The mind and I have a love/hate sort of relationship. I adore the challenge of treating an individual whose quirks and history are just as important to their treatment as their genetics and neurochemistry.
But I'll be honest and say that some days the mind is an enigma, full of adverse reactions and resistant symptoms and I long for something more straightforward, like strep throat. Most days, I'm scrambling to get my job done in a timely fashion, while not sacrificing quality of care and the personal connection my clients deserve. Typically, I can be found researching all the interesting tidbits and questions I ran into during the day and didn't have a good answer for. This blog was created in the hope that some of my projects and research can help others in my situation.
But I'll be honest and say that some days the mind is an enigma, full of adverse reactions and resistant symptoms and I long for something more straightforward, like strep throat. Most days, I'm scrambling to get my job done in a timely fashion, while not sacrificing quality of care and the personal connection my clients deserve. Typically, I can be found researching all the interesting tidbits and questions I ran into during the day and didn't have a good answer for. This blog was created in the hope that some of my projects and research can help others in my situation.
Professional Biography
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Rhiannon Doherty MS, APRN, PMHNP-BC is an Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse (APRN) currently working in community mental health in Connecticut. She began her career in mental health by working as a residential counselor in a child/adolescent group home. Since that time, she has been employed as a nurse practitioner at multiple community mental health centers in NH & CT, an integrated care clinic for refugees and at-risk pregnant women, a medication-assisted addiction clinic and a court-evaluation inpatient unit at a state hospital. She also currently assists in providing coverage for a local hospital's ER and Psychiatric Inpatient Unit.
In addition to her clinical experience, she has a diverse and notable academic background that includes two bachelor’s degrees (a BA in education and a BSN in nursing) and a Master of Science in Advanced Practice Nursing from the University of Massachusetts. Additional certifications in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders from Postpartum Support International. Professional interests include: Biological Psychiatry, Mindfulness practices in mental health, Integrated Psychiatry and Functional Medicine, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and working with individuals in the LGBTQ community.
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Professional Philosophy
It is my belief that the a psychiatric care provider's role is to balance and integrate the science of evidence-based treatment with the philosophical understanding of how individuals attach meaning to their experiences and define and achieve their personal health goals. A nurse practitioner must hold an unconditional regard for each individual as a biopsychosocial, cultural, and spiritual being with unique insight into his or her health situation. In this way, a nurse's work is not only a service to others, but can be a self-actualizing process where the nurse has the opportunity to cultivate attributes of unconditional acceptance, selflessness, compassion, and authenticity.
As I see it, my role as a psychiatric nurse practitioner is to be a resource for my clients’ journey towards their ideal self and more specifically, their optimal level of health and wellbeing. I believe that an individual is the expert regarding their health, and given the opportunity and the acquisition of needed skills, they are capable of achieving their goals and creating a sense of meaning and purpose in their lives.
As I see it, my role as a psychiatric nurse practitioner is to be a resource for my clients’ journey towards their ideal self and more specifically, their optimal level of health and wellbeing. I believe that an individual is the expert regarding their health, and given the opportunity and the acquisition of needed skills, they are capable of achieving their goals and creating a sense of meaning and purpose in their lives.
