What happens when mental health patients can't afford therapists, lack access, or have nowhere to turn? Enter the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, uniquely positioned to bridge critical gaps in our mental health system.
In this illuminating conversation, host Dan Wesemann and Melissa Chapman welcomes Dr. Stephanie Bennett and Dr. Humberto Reinoso from Mercer University's nursing faculty to explore how PMHNPs are increasingly providing psychotherapy alongside medication management. Both guests share candid stories of "falling into" psychotherapy practice when faced with patients who desperately needed therapeutic support but had limited options.
The discussion reveals the distinctive nursing approach to mental health—a holistic perspective that considers the whole person rather than compartmentalizing care. As Dr. Reinoso poignantly describes, many patients feel "on an island," isolated with their struggles, and the nurse's therapeutic presence becomes the vital connection back to wellness. Dr. Bennett shares a particularly moving account of working with a patient weekly for over a year, initially feeling overwhelmed but ultimately witnessing profound transformation through small, consistent steps.
The conversation doesn't shy away from systemic challenges. Insurance models often discourage spending extended time with patients, with practitioners facing pressure to conduct brief medication management sessions instead of comprehensive therapy. Yet both guests remain optimistic about the future, emphasizing that nursing's inherent focus on presence and relationship offers a valuable template for truly integrated mental health care.
For students and practicing PMHNPs alike, this episode provides valuable insights into expanding your therapeutic toolkit beyond medication management. The guests highlight how nursing education is evolving to better prepare practitioners for this dual role, while emphasizing that sometimes the most powerful intervention is simply being present and listening deeply to a patient's story.
Have you witnessed the power of therapeutic presence in your own practice? Share your experiences in the comments, and don't forget to subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of nursing and mental health care.
Let’s Connect
Dr Dan Wesemann
Email: daniel-wesemann@uiowa.edu
Website: https://nursing.uiowa.edu/academics/dnp-programs/psych-mental-health-nurse-practitioner
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-wesemann
Dr Kate Melino
Email: Katerina.Melino@ucsf.edu
Dr Sean Convoy
Email: sc585@duke.edu
Dr Kendra Delany
Email: Kendra@empowered-heart.com
Dr Melissa Chapman
Email: mchapman@pdastats.com
