ABOUT

What is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner?

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners (NPPs) provide independant care to individuals, families or populations who are at risk for developing or who have common, acute or chronic mental health problems, illnesses or crises.

Using advanced clinical judgment and practice, NPPs assess, diagnose, plan, implement, intervene, manage and evaluate plans of care – including treatment with psychotropic medications; individual, group and family psychotherapy; case management and consultation.

Psychiatric NPs also are able to evaluate and monitor co-morbid occurrences and conditions secondary to mental health. To help meet the growing demand for mental health services, NPPs are prepared to work both independently and collaboratively with psychiatrists and other mental health care professionals to deliver much needed mental health care to underserved populations in both rural and urban settings. In New York, NPP's practice independently, with collaborative relationships in the community, to provide psychiatric services- medication management, psychological assessment and psychotherapy to persons in need of mental health services. They are licensed and certified to provide psychiatric medication management for patients just as a psychiatrist.

About Dr. Brady

Education:

Rush University, Chicago, Doctor of Nursing Practice, 2015.
Rush University, Chicago, Degree of Psychiatric Mental Health Family Nurse Practitioner (PMHFNP), 2012
SUNY IT, Master's Degree, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), 2008
SUNY IT, Bachelor of Science Degree, Nursing, 2008
St. Elizabeth College of Nursing, Registered Professional Nurse, 2001
Utica College, Biology 1999

Certifications:

Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Family Nurse Practitioner, ANCC
Master Psychopharmacologist
Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, AANP
CEDH Diploma Program in Homeopathy

Membership:

American Psychological Association
American Psychiatric Nurses Association
Nurse Practitioner Association of New York State, past Mohawk Valley (MV) Chapter President, past MV Vice-President
American Association of Nurse Practitioners

What is Mental Health?

Mental health is defined as the ability of individuals to negotiate the daily challenges and social interactions of life without experiencing cognitive, emotional, or behavioral dysfunction. Study in this specialty field includes treatment and prevention of mental and emotional problems and mental disorders arising from interaction among biological and neuro-physiological vulnerabilities, psychological and developmental factors, and psychosocial and physical environmental stressors.

The Surgeon General’s report, Mental Health: Culture, Race and Ethnicity, unequivocally states that “mental health is fundamental to overall health and productivity. It is the basis for successful contributions to family, community, and society. Throughout the lifespan, mental health is the wellspring of thinking and communication skills, learning, resilience, and self-esteem.” The report goes on to say, “Mental health problems are real and disabling conditions that are experienced by one in five Americans. Left untreated, mental health can result in disability and despair for families, schools, communities, and the workplace.”