I’m an Advanced Practice Provider-Physician Assistant (*PA) with over 30 years of experience in psychiatry. Following my initial education and PA certification, at the University of Washington, I also earned my Master’s degree in PA Sciences, with a focus on psychiatry. Additionally, I earned a Certificate of Added Qualifications in psychiatry form the National Commission for Certification of PAs.
Focusing on adult serious mental illness, I have worked in collaboration with many psychiatrists, in-patient/out-patient, community mental health, consultative and academic settings. Over the years, I’ve witnessed providers with limited training, the separation of physical and mental health, and a steady move away from wellness to fast paced, 15-minute visits—instead of holistic care. This trend away from compassionate, whole patient care inspired me to train other PAs and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in psychiatry. In 2014, I was fortunate to realize this goal in my new position as associate faculty at Texas Tech University Health Sciences, Department of Psychiatry. I led a wonderful team of collaborators in this effort, as the lead faculty for a post graduate residential training program for PAs and NPs.
Having received my original training in psychiatry in the early 1980’s, before the introduction of most of the newer medications, I’ve seen the improvements they provide. However, I have kept my belief that psychiatric and emotional well-being involve and affect the person as a whole. This includes all our biological, genetic, physiological, sociocultural, economic, ethnic, gender, religious/spiritual, sexual orientation, and family factors. These factors significantly influence physical and psychological development and function throughout the life cycle. This guides my patient care to be conscientious and caring, adapting scientific evidence to the individual through shared decision making.
Professionally, I’ve been honored to act as the American Academy of PAs liaison to the American Psychiatric Association. I am co-founder and a board officer of the Association of PA in Psychiatry and involved in other activity toward the advancement of PAs.
Joining Dr. Arlinghaus in her practice, at Cedar Park Psychiatry, allows me to work collaboratively with an excellent provider who shares my views about providing compassionate and holistic care for each patient, toward well-being.
*PAs are healthcare professionals licensed to practice medicine. PAs provide patient centered medical care and surgical services as a member of a healthcare team, based on their education, training and experience. PAs exercise independent medical decision making within their scope of practice. APPs are trusted medical professionals who work hand-in-hand with physicians to create a seamless environment of care. With the addition of APPs, there are more appointments available for patients and care is often more cost-effective for patients. Research has shown that patients are just as satisfied receiving care from Advanced Practice Providers as they are from a physician.
Focusing on adult serious mental illness, I have worked in collaboration with many psychiatrists, in-patient/out-patient, community mental health, consultative and academic settings. Over the years, I’ve witnessed providers with limited training, the separation of physical and mental health, and a steady move away from wellness to fast paced, 15-minute visits—instead of holistic care. This trend away from compassionate, whole patient care inspired me to train other PAs and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in psychiatry. In 2014, I was fortunate to realize this goal in my new position as associate faculty at Texas Tech University Health Sciences, Department of Psychiatry. I led a wonderful team of collaborators in this effort, as the lead faculty for a post graduate residential training program for PAs and NPs.
Having received my original training in psychiatry in the early 1980’s, before the introduction of most of the newer medications, I’ve seen the improvements they provide. However, I have kept my belief that psychiatric and emotional well-being involve and affect the person as a whole. This includes all our biological, genetic, physiological, sociocultural, economic, ethnic, gender, religious/spiritual, sexual orientation, and family factors. These factors significantly influence physical and psychological development and function throughout the life cycle. This guides my patient care to be conscientious and caring, adapting scientific evidence to the individual through shared decision making.
Professionally, I’ve been honored to act as the American Academy of PAs liaison to the American Psychiatric Association. I am co-founder and a board officer of the Association of PA in Psychiatry and involved in other activity toward the advancement of PAs.
Joining Dr. Arlinghaus in her practice, at Cedar Park Psychiatry, allows me to work collaboratively with an excellent provider who shares my views about providing compassionate and holistic care for each patient, toward well-being.
*PAs are healthcare professionals licensed to practice medicine. PAs provide patient centered medical care and surgical services as a member of a healthcare team, based on their education, training and experience. PAs exercise independent medical decision making within their scope of practice. APPs are trusted medical professionals who work hand-in-hand with physicians to create a seamless environment of care. With the addition of APPs, there are more appointments available for patients and care is often more cost-effective for patients. Research has shown that patients are just as satisfied receiving care from Advanced Practice Providers as they are from a physician.
