by Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP | Dec 2, 2025 | Best practices, Prescribing tips for treating mental disorders
Prescribing the “right” psychotropic medication isn’t about guessing or relying on trial-and-error—it’s about building a strong clinical foundation. When PMHNPs prescribe psychotropic medications using a structured, step-by-step approach, they move from haphazard care...
by Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP | Nov 20, 2025 | Best practices
Early in my career as a psych NP, I constantly asked myself, “What medication should I be prescribing?” I was treating highly complex patients in community mental health, and I often felt like a fraud—uncertain of how to move forward with confidence. It took time (and...
by Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP | Nov 13, 2025 | Best practices
As a psychiatric provider, ordering the right baseline labs for schizophrenia is essential to assess your patient’s overall health and safely prescribe medications. Before starting treatment, labs help rule out medical conditions that might mimic or worsen psychiatric...
by Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP | Oct 7, 2025 | Best practices
Let’s be real—no one wants to get sued. As a nurse practitioner, the fear of liability can pop up when it comes to prescribing, documentation, or unexpected outcomes. But the good news is: you can take steps to minimize malpractice risk and practice with more peace of...
by Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP | Aug 26, 2025 | Best practices
As PMHNPs, our medication choices shape how patients experience the world. Understanding neurotransmission rules isn’t just theoretical—it can improve safety, reduce side effects, and lead to better outcomes. Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers that...
by Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP | Jul 24, 2025 | Best practices, Prescribing tips for treating mental disorders
One of the most stressful parts of being a PMHNP is managing patients who partially respond—or don’t respond at all—to psychotropic medications. Whether it’s antidepressants, antipsychotics, or others, knowing what to do next isn’t always straightforward....