A Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) is a licensed, board-certified provider who evaluates, diagnoses, prescribes and manages psychotropic medications, and offers therapy and counseling to clients, working within a similar scope of treatment planning clients typically expect from psychiatrists. Nurse practitioners often have years of experience in direct patient care and beside nursing, which give them a unique position of therapeutic alliance, understanding, and communication with clients. Psychiatrists are medical doctors with specialized training in psychiatric illnesses. If a client has medical comorbidities impacting mental health or psychiatric concerns that exceed Heather's scope of practice, those clients would be referred to a higher level of care.  Heather and Tree of Life Psychiatric Services participates in ongoing physician oversight and guidance, bringing a wide range psychiatric expertise to their clients. 

At this time, all appointments are conducted by secure telehealth video formats. This enables Heather to serve clients across North Carolina and Virginia without requiring travel to an office.  Heather may use her discretion to offer an in-home visit to clients with special circumstances and who live within a reasonable driving distance of the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area. Extra travel fees may apply. 

Yes- telehealth appointments are available to clients anywhere in Virginia, in addition to North Carolina.

Yes. We offer structured medication deprescribing for those who wish to reduce or discontinue medications, managed carefully rather than done abruptly or without support. 

Yes- patients who want to discuss the role of faith in their mental wellbeing are welcome to do so. Recent evidence points to spiritual engagement in faith communities is associated with many mental health benefits, including reduced incidence of depression, lower all-cause mortality, and better overall mental health. Spirituality in Serious Illness and Health.

Depression, anxiety, OCD, Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, PTSD, and others. Sleep quality and duration is often impacted by a person's mental health challenges, so insomnia is also addressed as a part of mental health.

That depends upon your particular mental health concerns. I offer therapy based in cognitive behavioral therapies, brief supportive therapy, and motivational interviewing. Those needing specialized therapy, such as EMDR for PTSD, would be referred to a provider who specializes in those modalities.