A psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) and a psychiatrist can both evaluate you, diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe and manage psychiatric medication, and provide ongoing treatment. The main difference is their training path: a psychiatrist is a physician (MD or DO), and a PMHNP is an advanced practice registered nurse with a graduate degree and national board certification in psychiatric care.
If you've been searching for a “psychiatrist” in Arizona, this guide explains what each provider does, how they're trained, and how to decide which is right for you or your child.
What does a psychiatric nurse practitioner do?
A PMHNP provides the same core psychiatric services most people are looking for when they search for a psychiatrist:
- Comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and diagnosis
- Prescribing and managing psychiatric medication, including regular follow-up and monitoring
- Therapy, such as supportive psychotherapy and CBT-informed strategies
- Ordering lab work and coordinating with your therapist, pediatrician or primary care provider
PMHNPs treat conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD and sleep problems. Many, including our practice, see children, teens and adults.
How is a PMHNP trained?
A PMHNP starts as a registered nurse, usually with years of hands-on patient care. They then complete a master's or doctoral degree in nursing focused on psychiatric-mental health care across the lifespan, with supervised clinical hours in psychiatric settings. After graduating, they must pass a national board certification exam. The credential “PMHNP-BC” means board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), which requires ongoing continuing education to keep.
Nursing education emphasizes the whole person: how sleep, stress, physical health, family and daily life connect to mental health. That fits naturally with an integrative approach.
How is a psychiatrist trained?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD or DO). After medical school, they complete a psychiatry residency, typically four years, and may add a fellowship in a subspecialty such as child and adolescent psychiatry. Psychiatrists can be board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Psychiatrists are often involved in the most medically complex cases, inpatient and hospital care, and specialized treatments. Many people with common outpatient concerns can be well served by either type of provider.
Can a nurse practitioner prescribe psychiatric medication in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona is a full-practice state for nurse practitioners. That means NPs are licensed by the Arizona State Board of Nursing to evaluate, diagnose, treat and prescribe on their own, without a supervising physician. Prescribing controlled medications also requires a DEA registration and following federal and Arizona rules, including checking the Arizona prescription monitoring program. Whether any medication is right for you always depends on your evaluation.
PMHNP or psychiatrist: which should I choose?
For most outpatient concerns, the best choice is the provider who is available, takes your insurance, fits your needs and makes you feel heard. Questions worth asking any provider:
- Do you treat my concern (for example ADHD, anxiety or bipolar disorder) and my age group?
- How long is the first visit, and how often are follow-ups?
- Do you offer therapy, or coordinate with my therapist?
- Are you in-network with my insurance? (See how to check your coverage.)
- How soon can I be seen?
A psychiatrist may be the better fit if you need hospital-level care, have very complex medical and psychiatric conditions together, or need a specialized treatment that's only offered in certain clinics. Any good provider will tell you if your needs go beyond what they offer and help you find the right next step.
Does insurance cover a psychiatric nurse practitioner?
Usually, yes. Most insurance plans cover visits with in-network psychiatric nurse practitioners the same way they cover other mental health specialists. Your copay, coinsurance and deductible depend on your plan. Call the member services number on your card and ask about outpatient mental health and telehealth benefits.
Psychiatric care at Joy Integrative Psychiatry
Erika Joy Puruleski, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner with about 15 years in nursing. She provides psychiatric evaluations, medication management and therapy for children 6 and up, teens and adults by secure video anywhere in Arizona. Learn about her background.
If you or someone you love is in crisis, call or text 988, call the Arizona Crisis Line at 1-844-534-4673, or call 911. See crisis resources.
Common questions
Is a PMHNP the same as a psychiatrist?
No. A psychiatrist is a physician (MD or DO). A PMHNP is an advanced practice registered nurse with graduate training and board certification in psychiatric care. Both can evaluate, diagnose, treat and prescribe for mental health conditions.
Can a psychiatric nurse practitioner diagnose ADHD?
Yes. PMHNPs evaluate and diagnose ADHD in children and adults and can manage treatment, including medication when it's appropriate.
Do nurse practitioners need a doctor's supervision in Arizona?
No. Arizona allows nurse practitioners to practice independently under their license from the Arizona State Board of Nursing.
Can a PMHNP see children?
Yes, if they're trained for that age group. PMHNPs are trained across the lifespan. At our practice, Erika sees children 6 and older, teens and adults, with a parent or guardian involved for anyone under 18.
What does PMHNP-BC mean?
It stands for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Board Certified, a national certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Ready when you are
Joy Integrative Psychiatry offers psychiatric evaluations by telehealth for children 6+, teens and adults throughout Arizona. Request an appointment when you're ready.
This article is for general education and isn't a substitute for individual medical advice. If you're in crisis, call or text 988 or call 911.