FAQ’s about your child’s intake appointment

What should I expect for my child’s first psychiatric evaluation?

Harmonizing Mind and Body

In today’s fast-paced world, the demand for holistic approaches to mental health is on the rise.
As we recognize the intricate connection between mind and body, the integration of wellness
practices into psychiatric care has emerged as a transformative approach to healing.
Psychiatric care traditionally focused solely on treating symptoms and managing disorders.
However, a growing body of research suggests that incorporating wellness strategies can
significantly enhance the effectiveness of treatment and improve overall well-being.
One key aspect of integrating wellness into psychiatric care is addressing lifestyle factors such
as diet, exercise, and sleep. Nutrition plays a crucial role in mental health, with studies linking
deficiencies in certain nutrients to an increased risk of mood disorders. By emphasizing a
balanced diet rich in whole foods, clinicians can support not only physical health but also mental
well-being.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

So, you’ve made an appointment to see a psychiatric nurse practitioner at Panoramic Psychiatry, but now as the appointment gets closer, you’re becoming a little nervous. You may be unsure of what to expect, or what could happen in the appointment. These thoughts are totally natural, and this post hopefully helps ease your worries by providing some topics that may come up during your appointment.

Spokane Psych Talk: What is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Spokane Psych Talk What Is a Nurse Practitioner: By Molly Oakley A nurse practitioner can complete psychiatric assessments and prescribe psychiatric medications much like a psychiatrist. Unlike a psychiatrist who is a medical doctor, nurse practitioners are nurses first, who then go on for specialized training in a specific field. Our provider, Molly Oakley, trained for two additional years in psychiatry at Yale University after becoming a registered nurse. She has trained and worked in many settings; from psychiatric hospitals to outpatient mental health offices, and worked with patients of all ages. She reports her diverse experience helps her provide excellent care and recommends all patients look into where their providers received their training and completed their clinical work, as not all nurse practitioner programs provide the same level of training. If you ask Molly Oakley, she will say she is grateful she trained as a nurse first and then received her psychiatric training through a nursing lens, because the nursing care model is extremely patient centered and focused on listening to patients to meet their needs. Molly believes the caring approach nurses and nurse practitioners practice translates well to providing exceptional mental health care. The psychiatrists/medical model of training is very diagnostic/problem focused in nature and psychiatrists have a longer, more intensive training. They can provide amazing care and a responsible nurse practitioner will refer patients to a psychiatrist if they feel a patient’s case is too complex for them to provide appropriate care for. It is very patient dependent on whether a psychiatric nurse practitioner or a psychiatrist will be the best fit for them. We recommend you find a provider who’s personality and communication style works for you. You should feel you can trust your provider to listen to you and provide great care.