Meet Patricia Morgan, DNP, ARNP, PMHNP-BC, PMH-C.
Patricia Morgan, DNP, ARNP, PMHNP-BC, PMH-C, is a psychiatric nurse practitioner who works with Evergreen Health Medical Group.
Patricia focuses on perinatal mental health from preconception through the postpartum years. Equipped with knowledge and skills, she provides individualized treatment from a wide range of therapeutic modalities, including CBT, DBT, EMDR, medication management, mindfulness, and pharmacogenetic testing. She is also a plant-based NP.
Patricia is passionate about her work as a PMHNP. “I love psychiatry and the various pathways to help a person explore options to help themselves.”
A graduate of the University of Washington, Patricia volunteers with local and national Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner organizations, as well as Perinatal Support Washington. She is a member of the AAPPN Legislation Committee, and serves on the Bree Collaborative Maternal Mental Health Workgroup.
Tell us a little about your journey to becoming a PMHNP.
I love psychiatry and the various pathways to help a person explore options to help themselves. I came to realize that when I was working on my first bachelor’s degree at UCSD, I found myself taking classes through medical school and classes in neuropsychology and cognitive neuroscience. That led to human subject research in psychiatry.
After being a SAHM for 10 years, I explored the practical aspects of nursing. However, I never saw myself practicing with passion in any other specialty besides psychiatry.
Tell us about your practice.
I get to meet lovely people who are of childbearing potential as well as their partners or support people. I get to hold space for them as they are deciding on how to expand their family, how to adjust to current family changes well beyond the first year. I also get to see their partner/spouse if they are the person who may need additional support.
It is an outpatient practice that offers medication management for behavioral health concerns. I do provide psychotherapy in specific cognitive modalities if the person prefers that approach. The most recent addition to modalities is EMDR to help with reprocessing negative cognitions.
I am a plant-based practitioner and actively support concrete ways to have the client create new and sustainable behaviors that are going to assist their gut microbiome so that they may impact their total wellbeing.
What have you gained – perhaps in an unexpected way – from being a PMHNP?
The ability to explore with more resolve a variety of ways to hold space for the people I meet and letting that be a valued piece of the treatment plan.
What drew you to volunteer for the Legislative Committee and what keeps you engaged?
I wanted to practice more use of my voice in another way that may have a lasting effect on systems.
You are very busy with your profession; do you have any hobbies to enjoy?
I have not given up on Flamenco Dance and within the past few months have added Castanets. I really enjoy mountaineering and practicing the skills to summit WA peaks.
Last summer I took to paddleboarding and whitewater kayaking on baby whitewater, of course. Last summer I also discovered I really enjoy skydiving. So far, it is tandem jumps and perhaps I will go on to jump school next year.
Do you have any words for PMHNP students?
I could have many but not sure if they have already heard it. Here is one thought. Get yourself into therapy, focus on getting yourself resourced in therapy so that you can explore and integrate the grounding, mindfulness, and authenticity that will help you in your development.
What role has AAPPN played in your career?
Community. Again, I have met lovely humans that invigorate my ability to go forth and practice independently.