PMHNP + Therapy: Better Together

This training will focus on how therapists can effectively collaborate with Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) to provide integrated, whole-person care for clients. The training will highlight when to consider referrals for medication management, how to use validated screening tools such as the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 to guide clinical decisions, and ways to align therapy and medication goals to support client outcomes. Case examples will illustrate real-world applications across child, adolescent, and adult populations. In addition, participants will learn about evidence-based natural therapies, lifestyle interventions, and educational strategies that PMHNPs may incorporate alongside medications. The emphasis will be on fostering strong therapist–PMHNP partnerships to support clients more holistically.

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Identify the role of a PMHNP within a counseling practice and describe when to consider referral for medication management.

• Apply validated, brief self-report measures (e.g., PHQ-9, GAD-7) to assess symptom severity and guide collaborative treatment planning.

• Demonstrate strategies for effective collaboration with PMHNPs, including sharing updates, aligning treatment goals, and respecting professional roles.

• Describe evidence-based natural therapies, lifestyle interventions, and client education practices that may be integrated with counseling and medication management.

• Evaluate case scenarios to determine when referral to a PMHNP may be appropriate and how collaboration can enhance client progress.