by Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP | Feb 24, 2026 | Prescribing tips for treating mental disorders
Everyone who wants to improve their prescribing confidence hears the same advice:“Just study more medication guides and clinical practice guidelines.” But today, I want to offer a non-traditional, yet powerful, piece of advice: Develop a systematic clinical reasoning...
by Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP | Feb 12, 2026 | Prescribing tips for treating mental disorders
Let’s be honest—we’ve all downloaded a resource or guide with the best of intentions… and never opened it again. But when it comes to prescribing SSRIs, having a clear, concise reference on hand can actually save you time, reduce hesitation, and boost your...
by Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP | Jan 27, 2026 | Prescribing tips for treating mental disorders
Ever prescribed an antipsychotic and worried about movement disorders? Or inherited a patient on Cogentin and thought, “Is this really the best approach?” Like many mental health providers, you’ve probably seen extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) or tardive dyskinesia (TD)...
by Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP | Jan 13, 2026 | Prescribing tips for treating mental disorders
When treating older adults who are often taking multiple medications, it’s essential for psych NPs to consider the full medication picture—including over-the-counter (OTC) supplements. A recent clinical case of a 68-year-old male patient on sertraline (Zoloft) for...
by Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP | Dec 4, 2025 | Prescribing tips for treating mental disorders
When prescribing psychotropic medications, lifestyle factors often make or break the safety and effectiveness of treatment. As PMHNPs, our clinical decisions can’t stop at the medication alone—we have to consider what else patients are doing in their day-to-day lives...
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...