Ashley Nelson. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. MSN, M.Ed, APRN, PMHNP-BC, Forensic/SANE
About Ashley
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Hello! My name is Ashley Nelson, and I am a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with a broad and deeply integrated clinical background that includes mental health therapy, medication management, prescribing medications, de-prescribing and titrating from behavior forming medications, psychiatric nursing, emergency medicine, and certification as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). I bring years of experience working across acute, inpatient, outpatient, tele-therapy and primary care mental health settings supporting individuals through both crisis moments and long-term healing.
My work is grounded in the understanding that mental health is complex, deeply personal, and influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. I have had the privilege of caring for children, adolescents, adults, and families, and I specialize in working with survivors of trauma, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and other life-altering experiences. My background in emergency medicine allows me to respond with calm, clarity, and decisiveness during periods of instability or crisis, while my psychiatric training ensures we also focus on sustainable, long-term mental wellness. I believe healing happens best when clients feel safe, respected, and actively involved in their care. I believe healing happens best when clients feel safe, respected, and actively involved in their care.
Medication Management Expertise Medication management is more than writing a prescription; it is a thoughtful, ongoing process that prioritizes safety, effectiveness, and your overall quality of life. I provide comprehensive psychiatric medication management for a wide range of mental health conditions, including but not limited to: Anxiety disorders, Depressive disorders, Mood disorders, PTSD and trauma-related conditions, ADHD, Sleep disturbances, Emotional dysregulation and stress-related symptoms.
Thoughtful Prescribing. I take a conservative, evidence-based approach to prescribing psychiatric medications. This includes careful assessment, clear education about risks and benefits, and shared decision-making so you understand why a medication is recommended and what to expect.
Deprescribing & Safe Tapering. Equally important, I specialize in deprescribing and medication optimization, particularly for individuals who feel overmedicated, stuck on medications they no longer want or need, or concerned about long-term side effects. This includes:
Gradual and safe tapering of antidepressants
Evidence-based reduction of benzodiazepines
Careful collaboration around opioid-related mental health considerations
Minimizing polypharmacy
Monitoring for withdrawal symptoms and emotional changes
Supporting nervous system regulation throughout the process
Deprescribing is never rushed and is always done with close monitoring, education, and respect for your comfort and readiness.
What Else Is Included in Medication Management
Initial psychiatric evaluations and diagnostic clarification
Ongoing medication monitoring and adjustments
Side-effect management
Medication interactions and safety review
Coordination with primary care and specialty providers
Lab monitoring when clinically indicated
Psychoeducation so you understand how medications work
Integrating medication with therapy for optimal outcomes
My goal is always to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary duration, while supporting stability, clarity, and function.
What can members expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our work together, we will explore how past patterns, life experiences, and current stressors may be impacting your mental health. Using a compassionate and collaborative approach, I will guide you toward building resilience, developing healthy coping strategies, and creating meaningful, sustainable change in your life. Whether you are dealing with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or relationship challenges, my goal is to help you feel heard, understood, and empowered. In our work together, we will explore how past experiences, learned patterns, current stressors, and biological factors may be influencing your mental health. Sessions are collaborative and paced to meet you where you are.
You can expect:
To feel heard, respected, and believed
Clear explanations; not rushed decisions
A balance between emotional support and practical solutions
Guidance in building resilience and emotional regulation skills
A treatment plan that evolves as you evolve
Whether you are navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, medication concerns, or major life transitions, my goal is to help you feel empowered, informed, and supported, not dependent on care.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths?
You can expect a safe, nonjudgmental space where your story matters and your goals are at the center of our work. Together, we can chart a path forward—toward healing, hope, and the life you deserve. One of my greatest strengths is my ability to hold complexity without judgment. Many clients come to me with layered histories that include medical, psychological, relational, and traumatic aspects. I am comfortable navigating all of it with steadiness and compassion.
Additional strengths include:
Calm, grounded presence during high-stress or crisis situations
Strong clinical judgment informed by emergency and psychiatric experience
Clear, transparent communication
Trauma-informed care that prioritizes safety and autonomy
A balanced approach that values both medication and non-medication strategies
Most importantly, I deeply respect the courage it takes to seek help. You will never be rushed, minimized, or dismissed in this space.
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My Treatment Methods
My approach is personalized to each individual, drawing from evidence-based practices that best align with their needs, goals, and preferences. I frequently use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and reframe unhelpful thought patterns, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) techniques for building emotional regulation and distress tolerance skills, and trauma-informed care to ensure a safe and supportive healing environment. For clients struggling with trauma, I can incorporate eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) or other trauma-focused interventions when appropriate.
When medication is part of the treatment plan, I combine psychiatric medication management with psychotherapy to create a well-rounded approach to mental wellness. I also integrate mindfulness practices, motivational interviewing, and holistic strategies such as lifestyle and stress-management techniques to support overall health. My goal is to provide clients with tools they can use both in and outside of sessions, fostering long-term resilience and improved quality of life.
My approach is individualized and evidence-based, tailored to each client’s unique needs, goals, and preferences. I draw from multiple therapeutic frameworks to ensure care is both effective and compassionate.
Commonly utilized approaches include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness
Trauma-informed care to ensure safety, empowerment, and trust
Trauma-focused interventions, including EMDR when clinically appropriate
When medication is part of the treatment plan, I intentionally integrate psychiatric medication management with psychotherapy, rather than treating them as separate processes. I also incorporate:
Mindfulness and grounding techniques
Motivational interviewing
Lifestyle and stress-management strategies
Sleep, nutrition, and nervous system education
My goal is not just symptom reduction, but helping clients develop tools they can use long after sessions end, fostering long-term resilience, self-efficacy, and improved quality of life.