Myra Smith MSN, RN currently works in Hospice Care intimately shares her experiences as a Nurse Midwife, her illness, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, depression and her resiliency through the help of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.

Dr. Hurlebaus is an experienced provider and has been working in healthcare for 30 plus years and is focused in Psychiatry. In this episode, she will share her insights in patient care, her approach, the importance of a Mental Status Exam and her clinical pearls.

Carl Rogers was a psychologist with a humanistic approach in Person-Centered Therapy where the practitioner provides an environment of acceptance, unconditional positive regard, empathy and genuineness. Carl Rogers reinforces that people are motivated to self-actualize in an environment where there is room to grow because of this relationship between the practitioner and the patient. The patient is encouraged to unleash their growth potential in an environment where it is safe. Patients don’t feel threatened and are less vulnerable so there is room for growth. Change can only occur If the patient is given the opportunity to decide for themselves within their personal power.

Dr. Alfred Adler was born in Vienna Austria and a family of seven children. He had multiple serious health conditions that led to his feelings of inferiority during childhood. Due to this experience, he developed the theory of “striving for superiority,“ which was his focus on motivation and the development of human behavior to improve. He collaborated with numerous psychiatrist like Sigmund Freud but developed his own theories and contribution to psychology with his works on the unconscious, the birth order and the development of the psyche.

Mental wellness is actively having the awareness of of your physical, social, mental, and spiritual pillars of health. Mental Wellness is dynamic, that mitigates the chances of exacerbation of mental illness. Mental wellness equates with resiliency. Mental wellness is also being aware of your strengths, skills and thrive even in challenging situations.

Gender based violence is directed to his or her biological sex or gender identity. Gender based violence includes physical, sexual, emotional, coercion economic threats and educational deprivation. Gender based violence occurs privately or in public. You as the psychiatric nurse practitioner needs to educate your patient population. You need to support them, validate them for their experiences and give them resources.

Imposter syndrome is a phenomenon that is common amongst high achievers. Those who have symptoms of this phenomenon attribute their successes due to lock rather than their ability to succeed. This phenomenon is very common to those who have pave the way in their fields.

Covid19 has impacted the world due to increased morbidity and mortality. It has disrupted our way of life that increased isolation, family dynamics, politics and has affected mental health.

Viktor Frankl, Austrian neurologist, philosopher, author, psychiatrist and a Holocaust Survivor. His memoir, “Man’s Search for Meaning” was about his experiences at the concentration camps. He found strength to go on during this horrific time where 6 million Jews died. He found meaning through purposeful work, courage even in fear and love even in traumatic experiences. He encouraged others to find meaning in every moment. Logotherapy is known as the third Viennese School of Psychotherapy. Sigmud Freud was first and Alfred Adler was second. Logotherapy is finding meaning and purpose amidst atrocious conditions. The search for meaning is the motivation force in humans.

Dr. Hildegard Peplau is known as the “Mother of Psychiatric Nursing.” She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Interpersonal psychology. She graduated in 1931 at the Pennsylvania School of Nursing. She received her Master’s degree and Doctoral Degree from the Teacher’s College in Columbia University. She served in the Army Corps with the 312th Field Station Hospital in England from 1943-1945. She is well known for her Interpersonal Relations in Nursing.