by Claire Ellerbrock, DNP, PMHNP | Nov 25, 2025 | Diagnosis/Assessment tips for treating mental disorders
Bipolar disorder is one of the most challenging conditions to accurately diagnose—especially when it doesn’t present in textbook form. Over the years, I’ve found one simple yet powerful tool to be especially helpful in clinical interviews: the 5 A’s of bipolar...
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 18, 2025 | Clinical support resources
Psychotropic medications aren’t always budget-friendly, and for some patients, that price tag becomes a serious barrier to getting the treatment they need. When affordability blocks access to care, prescription assistance programs can be a game changer. I once worked...
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 | Nov 11, 2025 | Diagnosis/Assessment tips for treating mental disorders
As a provider who primarily treats adults, my experience with ADHD diagnosis and treatment has been limited. Over the past few years, I’ve been learning more about diagnosing and managing ADHD, especially in the adult population. What’s become clear is just how much...