Katherine McCarty

You should understand why a treatment is being recommended and have a say in whether it makes sense for you. I spend time explaining your options, including what a medication may help with, possible side effects, and how we’ll decide whether it’s working. Questions and concerns belong in that conversation.

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I’m a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who provides psychiatric evaluation and medication management for anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, and trauma-related concerns. I’ve worked in healthcare since 2008, with experience in inpatient psychiatry, substance use treatment, depression care management, and labor and delivery. That background helps me consider how physical health, relationships, and life circumstances affect what you’re experiencing. I also have an interest in mental health during pregnancy and after childbirth.

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I want to hear what has helped before, what has been frustrating, and what you hope treatment will change in your daily life. If you’re uncertain about medication or have had a difficult experience with care, we can talk through that as we consider next steps.

I start by understanding how your symptoms affect your day and what you want treatment to help you do differently. I also consider your physical health, past treatment experiences, and current circumstances when making recommendations.

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When we discuss medication, I’ll explain why I’m considering it, the potential benefits and risks, and what we’ll monitor. Your preferences matter, including concerns about side effects or uncertainty about starting something new. At follow-up visits, we’ll look at what has changed and whether the plan needs adjusting.

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My approach also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and trauma-informed care. This means paying attention to what matters to you, how you respond to difficult thoughts and feelings, and how past experiences may affect your comfort with treatment. I want you to be able to tell me when something isn’t helping or doesn’t feel right.

We’ll start with what prompted you to make an appointment and what you hope to get help with. I’ll ask about your symptoms, physical health, current medications, and any previous treatment. It’s useful to hear both what helped and what you’d rather not repeat.

You don’t need to have everything organized or know which details matter. I’ll guide the conversation, and you’ll have time to ask questions or explain concerns about treatment.

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Before we finish, we’ll discuss my initial recommendations and the reasoning behind them. If medication is an option, we’ll talk through its potential benefits, side effects, and alternatives. Sometimes we’ll need more information before making a decision. Either way, you should leave knowing what the next steps are.