Frequently asked questions.
What is a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner?
A psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner is trained to care for patients with mental health issues across the lifespan. Nurse practitioners are qualified in assessment, diagnosis, planning and evaluation, often providing some of the same services as medical doctors.
How long are appointments?
New patient appointments normally last about an hour. Follow-up appointments are usually around 30 minutes.
Do you accept insurance? How much are visits with Dr. Hansen?
Insurance not accepted but we are able to provide a super bill. We accept all forms of payment, including HSAs and FSAs. New patient appointments are $260 and follow-ups are $155.
I am worried about potential side effects of medication. What side effects can I anticipate if I begin taking a medication?
All medications have a potentital for side effects. We will discuss all risks and benefits of specific medications that are being considered in your care.
Difference between a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and a primary care provider (PCP)?
A psychiatric nursing role focuses on a patient’s mental health, while the primary care provider coordinates many aspects of healthcare. The psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner often works in collaboration with a primary care providers to promote holistic care.
A psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner is prepared with advanced knowledge in the focused area of mental health. This includes the scientific basis of identified disorders and specific treatments, including psychotropic medication and psychotherapy.
A primary care provider is well-positioned as a central point of primary care and may need to coordinate services of another specialist. Educated in comprehensive primary care of both acute and chronic conditions, the primary care provider looks out for the patient’s overall health and collaborates with other specialties as needed.
The PCP is also a primary gatekeeper for assessing a patient’s need for mental health services and identifying family risk.
How do psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners differ from psychiatrists, social workers, and psychologists?
Psychiatric-mental health nurses have degrees in nursing. This means that the nursing process informs how they practice. At times, the role of a PMH-APRN may overlap with that of a psychologist, social worker, and psychiatrist. For example, all of these positions usually do psychotherapy. PMH-APRNs and psychiatrists can prescribe, whereas psychologists and social workers cannot. Psychologists are trained to do psychological testing and members of the other three disciplines are not trained in this way. All of these different psychiatric providers can practice independently, but are also subject to state laws governing practice and scope of practice.
What are the differences between therapy and med management?
Like psychologists, therapists cannot prescribe medication. Psychiatric nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses who have completed a master's or doctoral degree in nursing specializing in psychiatry. They are trained to diagnose and treat mental health conditions and can prescribe medication.