Imagine a mental health team where everyone plays a different role. A PMHNP is like a nurse who specializes in mental health — they can diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and help people manage their treatment plan. As a PMHNP, Tricia focuses on patient care as a whole.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who focuses on mental illnesses and can also prescribe medications, but they often spend more time on the medical side of treatment.

A therapist or counselor helps people talk through their feelings, work on coping skills, and manage life’s challenges, but they usually don’t prescribe medications. A social worker is similar, but they often focus on providing support in terms of resources and social services. Some social workers serve as counselors and vice versa.

So, while they all support mental health, they each bring a unique set of skills to the table!

Everyone is different. The decision to use therapy, medication, or both depends on the nature and severity of your condition. Research consistently shows that for many psychiatric disorders, a combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy can be more effective than either treatment alone.

Medication can help reduce or stabilize biological symptoms, while psychotherapy addresses cognitive, emotional, and behavioral patterns contributing to distress. For milder conditions, therapy alone may be sufficient; for more severe or chronic symptoms, medication may be necessary to achieve symptom control and improve functioning.

Your treatment plan will be individualized based on diagnosis, clinical history, current functioning, and your personal preferences. Collaborative decision-making between you and your provider will guide whether therapy, medication, or a combination is recommended.

The resources page is a great start!

There are LifeStance locations in 33 states. Tricia currently provides services to anyone within Delaware state.

Please call the office to find out if we are partnered with your insurance. Self-pay rates are also available for those without insurance.

The length of time you’ll need to take psychiatric medication varies depending on your diagnosis, symptoms, response to treatment, and personal goals. Some people take medication for a short period (e.g., during a particularly stressful time), while others benefit from longer-term use to maintain stability and prevent relapse.

Your treatment plan is personalized and regularly reviewed. We’ll work with you to monitor your progress, assess the effectiveness of your medication, and make adjustments as needed. If and when it’s appropriate to reduce or stop medication, we’ll do so gradually and with close medical supervision to ensure your well-being.