Psychiatry Services
Many people suffer with their mental health but don’t seek help because they’re embarrassed or unsure of who to see.
We want you to feel confident that a psychiatric evaluation is a healthy next step!
Recognizing the Signs
Recognizing when you need help is important, and there are a number of signs that indicate when psychiatric intervention may be a good idea.
If you have noticed a negative change in behaviors which are now affecting your daily life, we encourage you to seek help from our psychiatric nurse practitioner for further guidance.
Some of the common reasons people seek a psychiatrist are:
- Inability to control emotions
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Substance use
- Changes in performance at school or work
- Withdrawal from social situations
- Unexplained physical illnesses
- Excessive anxiety, worry or sadness
- Frequent nightmares or temper tantrums
How Can Psychiatry Help Me?
Our Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner will help determine the type of medication prescribed, appropriate dosage, and monitor your progress along the way until you feel better. A proper diagnosis may lead to a treatment plan that includes medication management. Psychiatry can greatly help manage recurring symptoms for a variety of mental health issues. We offer intensive collaboration between your therapist and your psychiatric nurse practitioner when coming to our office for psychiatric help so that you’re getting the most effective and efficient treatment possible.
Psychiatry at McNulty Counseling and Wellness
Millions of Americans are diagnosed with a treatable mental illness each year. Here are a list of mental health issues that we treat:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bipolar Disorder
- Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)/Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- PTSD
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Bereavement
- Eating Disorders
- Substance Abuse
- Adjustment Disorder
- Personality Disorders
Once you have taken the brave first step of considering psychiatric help, the next step is your psychiatric evaluation.
How Can Psychiatry Help Me?
Our Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner will help determine the type of medication prescribed, appropriate dosage, and monitor your progress along the way until you feel better. When working with Bernadette, a proper diagnosis may lead to a treatment plan that includes medication management. Psychiatry can greatly help manage recurring symptoms for a variety of mental health issues. We offer intensive collaboration between your therapist and your psychiatric nurse practitioner when coming to our office for psychiatric help so that you’re getting the most effective and efficient treatment possible.
Psychiatry at McNulty Counseling and Wellness
Millions of Americans are diagnosed with a treatable mental illness each year. Here are a list of mental health issues that we treat:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bipolar Disorder
- Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)/Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- PTSD
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Bereavement
- Eating Disorders
- Substance Abuse
- Adjustment Disorder
- Personality Disorders
Once you have taken the brave first step of considering psychiatric help, the next step is your psychiatric evaluation.
What is a Psychiatric Evaluation?
During a psychiatric evaluation, a doctor or Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner will talk with you about any symptoms you are experiencing. If you know you’ve been suffering from any of the above listed mental health issues, we can help treat them. Understanding your concerns help identify possible causes of your distress and develop the best treatment plan moving forward. Psych evaluations are very detailed, but give great insight into your overall health and well-being. Each evaluation is different, because each person’s symptoms and behaviors are different. Being as open and honest as possible will help the doctor or Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner understand your situation and determine which treatment plan is best for you. Some treatment plans may include medication, so it’s important to understand your options.
Signs You May Need a Psychiatric Intervention
It’s normal to experience stress, sadness, mood swings, and other types of emotional distress from time to time. When things become more serious, these negative feelings and symptoms can interfere with daily life. Majority of the time, families, partners, teachers, or friends are the first to suspect that their loved one is emotionally struggling.
These struggles can occur from inner feelings, behaviors, or environmental conditions. When these struggles are left untreated, problems with relationships, work, school, sleeping and eating may occur. While these symptoms are more common, others may experience rebellion, developmental issues, substance abuse and more. If you have noticed these changes within yourself or a loved one, it’s important that you seek help to treat these problems.
Signs You or a Loved One May Need a Psychiatric Intervention
-
- Confused thinking, delusions, or hallucinations
- Persistent feelings of depression, sadness, irritability, or hopelessness
- Extreme highs or lows in mood
- Excessive fears, worries, or anxieties
- Withdrawal from socializing
- Difficulty sleeping
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
- Strong feelings of anger or guilt
- Trouble completing daily tasks, work, or school assignments
- Suicidal thoughts
- Misusing drugs or alcohol
- Excessive or unusual rebellion, theft, vandalism, or skipping school in children or teens
Signs You May Need a Psychiatric Intervention
It’s normal to experience stress, sadness, mood swings, and other types of emotional distress from time to time. When things become more serious, these negative feelings and symptoms can interfere with daily life. Majority of the time, families, partners, teachers, or friends are the first to suspect that their loved one is emotionally struggling.
These struggles can occur from inner feelings, behaviors, or environmental conditions. When these struggles are left untreated, problems with relationships, work, school, sleeping and eating may occur. While these symptoms are more common, others may experience rebellion, developmental issues, substance abuse and more. If you have noticed these changes within yourself or a loved one, it’s important that you seek help to treat these problems.
Signs You or a Loved One May Need a Psychiatric Intervention:
-
- Confused thinking, delusions, or hallucinations
- Persistent feelings of depression, sadness, irritability, or hopelessness
- Extreme highs or lows in mood
- Excessive fears, worries, or anxieties
- Withdrawal from socializing
- Difficulty sleeping
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
- Strong feelings of anger or guilt
- Trouble completing daily tasks, work, or school assignments
- Suicidal thoughts
- Misusing drugs or alcohol
- Excessive or unusual rebellion, theft, vandalism, or skipping school in children or teens
How Does Medication Management Work?
Some people with a mental illness need medication to feel better – If this is you, there is no reason to feel ashamed or embarrassed! Medication can be used to treat immediate symptoms, but it’s also prescribed long-term to stop an illness from returning (otherwise known as ‘relapse’). It’s important to note that medication is only part of treatment for mental illness. We believe in a holistic approach to wellbeing, meaning medication is usually offered in conjunction with psychological treatment (talking therapy), education and lifestyle advice. We will guide you every step of the way and educate you about your treatment, medications, and any questions that you have. It’s important to us that you feel empowered and that you aren’t left with any unanswered questions.
Medications work by rebalancing the chemicals in your brain. When psychiatrists or ARNPs prescribe medication, the most common tool is antidepressants. Antidepressants become an option once you or a loved one has been experiencing depressive symptoms for an abnormal period of time. Feeling a little “off” or sad is completely normal, but once your symptoms go on for too long it’s a good idea to consider help. If you’re stuck and don’t know whether you or your loved one is experiencing clinical mental health symptoms, it’s time to call a professional to get an accurate assessment.
How Does Medication Management Work?
Some people with a mental illness need medication to feel better – If this is you, there is no reason to feel ashamed or embarrassed! Medication can be used to treat immediate symptoms, but it’s also prescribed long-term to stop an illness from returning (otherwise known as ‘relapse’). It’s important to note that medication is only part of treatment for mental illness. We believe in a holistic approach to wellbeing, meaning medication is usually offered in conjunction with psychological treatment (talking therapy), education and lifestyle advice. We will guide you every step of the way and educate you about your treatment, medications, and any questions that you have. It’s important to us that you feel empowered and that you aren’t left with any unanswered questions.
Medications work by rebalancing the chemicals in your brain. When psychiatrists or ARNPs prescribe medication, the most common tool is antidepressants. Antidepressants become an option once you or a loved one has been experiencing depressive symptoms for an abnormal period of time. Feeling a little “off” or sad is completely normal, but once your symptoms go on for too long it’s a good idea to consider help. If you’re stuck and don’t know whether you or your loved one is experiencing clinical mental health symptoms, it’s time to call a professional to get an accurate assessment.
Find a Psychiatrist or Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in Tampa Bay
Finding the right therapist and psychiatric help is what we specialize in. When it comes to your mental health and wellbeing, the relationship between the patient and your doctor or Psychiatric ARNP is the key to success.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed here, we encourage you to call our office. The team at McNulty Counseling and Wellness takes a holistic approach to promote balance in all areas of your life. We understand that not all brains react alike. We offer a variety of treatments from art therapy to therapy dogs to ensure that you are paired with your perfect program. Contact us here or call us at 727-344-9867 to schedule a remote consultation or an in-person session at our office in Saint Petersburg and Tampa, Florida.
How Much Does it Cost to See a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner?
To get started with a Psychiatrist or Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at McNulty Counseling and Wellness, an intake session (biopsychosocial assessment) will take place as the initial visit. This visit costs $300 for a 1 hour evaluation. After your intake session is complete, visits with your Psychiatrist or Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner thereafter will be 30 minutes long for $150.
Meet Richardo Boyd:
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
I am motivated, caring, and devoted to providing excellent patient-focused care. I’m committed to promoting, preventing, and treating mental health issues across the lifespan. I was prepared academically as a Nurse Practitioner with a focus on family-centered care where I eventually found my passion in psychiatric care. As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I have a robust knowledge base in treatment guidelines and evidence-based practices that are the most current effective treatments. I thoroughly enjoy connecting with clients and helping them get to the core of their mental health issues.
