Adrienne Long, PMHNP-BC
Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Certified Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Provider
Integrative Psychiatry
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy
Neurofeedback Brain Training
Specialties
- Depression, Anxiety, and Mood Disorders
- PSTD and Complex Trauma
- Eating Disorders
- Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Integrative Psychiatry: An Effective and Client-Centered Approach
Adrienne considers all aspects of her clients’ life and approaches client care with compassion and from a biopsychosocial framework. As a PMHNP-BC, Adrienne believes the biopsychosocial approach to psychiatry is crucial because it acknowledges the intricate interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors in mental health. Unlike traditional models that may focus solely on biological aspects, the biopsychosocial framework provides a more comprehensive understanding of a person and their unique mental health concerns.
In addition to prescribing mental health medications if appropriate, she incorporates brief psychotherapy and addresses potential nutritional deficiencies and lifestyle factors into your comprehensive treatment plan.
Psychiatry: An Important Component for Eating Disorder Recovery
Psychiatry is crucial to eating disorder recovery because it addresses the underlying psychological issues and co-occurring mental health conditions that often accompany these disorders, providing comprehensive treatment that supports long-term recovery. Having a prescriber with extensive experience working with those struggling with eating disorders who will work closely with the rest of your treatment team is essential.
Prior to returning to graduate school, Adrienne provided compassionate and skilled care as a registered mental health nurse at an eating disorder recovery center on their acute inpatient unit. Her experience as both a floor and charge nurse, and now as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, has given Adrienne a unique perspective on care for those struggling with eating disorders and co-occurring concerns.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
As a psychiatric nurse practionier, Adrienne is essential to The Catalyst Center’s KAP program. She not only oversees the medical component, but also works closely with clients and their therapists to ensure safety and efficacy. Our KAP clients meet begin our program by meeting Adrienne for a medical intake. She is also present for your ketamine treatment and is available throughout the process.
Clients often wonder what led a clinician to pursue a specialty in psychedelic-assisted therapy. Over the years, Adrienne observed that her patients and clients were not responding to traditional psychotropic medications and evidence-based practices. Despite their longing for healing and recovery, they continued to struggle. Through research, experience with clients, and a specialized certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, it has become apparent to Adrienne that psychedelic medicine, especially within the model of psychedelic-assisted therapy, offer an alternative to traditional interventions that has the potential for profound and lasting change.
Hear from Adrienne
As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I view people holistically and individually. Body and mind are one, and we cannot treat one without the other. Therefore, it is crucial to consider physical, emotional, and mental symptoms. Together with my client, we consider medical issues, family history, need for medication, sleep quality, nutrition, physical activity, social support, and more. It is also essential to assess current and past life stressors, social influences, and how they affect you. The more background information, the better!
Given that people are complex, medication alone will not ‘make everything better.’ Although there is a place for medication as a way to help you reach your wellness goals, I almost always recommend additional support or interventions. Additional recommendations could include therapy, interventions to support your nervous system, acupuncture, etc. Specific to combining therapy and psychiatry, medication helps to manage symptoms as you work with your therapist on the root causes of your struggles. Both research and my clinical experience have shown that combining medication and therapy is highly effective in promoting lasting change.
Supplements and nutrition can also support a person’s well-being, either as an adjunct to medication or as a substitute if preferred. Nutrient deficiencies can significantly affect our mood and energy. Addressing any deficit can improve mood, decrease anxiety, normalize sleep, or improve focus.
I don’t believe the ‘here are your meds, see you in a few months’ approach leads to lasting improvement. Working with your team, including your therapist, primary care provider, and other providers, is essential for effective treatment and healing. Often my clients see their therapist the most frequently. Close collaboration with your therapist allows for consideration of your needs, provides us with up-to-date information, and assesses if a change in medications or supplements is needed.
I am committed to client-centered care that treats the whole person, not just symptoms. A collaborative, evidence-based, and integrative approach to psychiatric care is essential to understanding a client as an entire person, not solely their symptoms or concerns. This approach provides a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the mind and the body for optimal well-being. Feel free to reach out anytime if you want to learn more about how integrative psychiatry can help you.
I look forward to working with you!
~ Adrienne Long, PMHNP-BC
Medication management vs. Psychiatry
Beyond Medication Management: The Biopsychosocial Model and Integrative Psychiatry
My Approach to Psychiatry
How to Establish Good Sleep Hygiene
Professional Affiliations
- American Nurses Association – Active Member since 2012
- Mental Health Colorado – Active Member since 2016
- Colorado Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses – Active Member since October 2017
Education
- 2020, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Maryville University, St. Louis, Missouri
- 2012, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN), Denver School of Nursing, Denver, Colorado
- 2004, Bachelor of Science in Geology and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado
Advanced Training
- 2022 Certified Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Provider, Integrative Psychiatry Institute
- Active from October 2019-2021, Advanced Cardiac Life Saving Certified, American Heart Association
- March 2020,Trauma Informed Care Certification
- February 2019, IAEDP Symposium
- August 2015, ACUTE Symposium: Improving Medical Care for Eating Disorders
- January 2014, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT therapy): An Introduction for Medical Staff
Let’s Get Started!
We are committed to helping you find a great fit with a therapist, which is why we offer every new client a FREE initial consultation.
There are two easy ways to connect with us. Call our office at 720-675-7123 and press “1” to be connected. Fill out the contact form to request an appointment or to learn more.
