Beyond the Pill: Navigating Psychotropic Medications – Podcast
Episode 155
October 28, 2024
Oct 28, 2024
Nurse Practitioner Tara Ericksen explores the vital role of patient education in mental health, focusing on psychotropic medications and the impact of neurotransmitters. Tara breaks down common neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, discussing their influence on mental health and the risks associated with self-medication.
The conversation extends beyond medication, offering insights into comprehensive treatment approaches for conditions like anxiety and ADHD. Tara highlights the importance of integrating medication with lifestyle factors—including diet, exercise, and tailored patient plans—to support a holistic path to wellness.
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MEET THE GUEST
Tara Ericksen, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Tara Ericksen is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in Oregon who has been practicing since 2018. Tara firmly believes it is never too late to heal. Throughout her career, she has been passionate about helping clients of all ages and backgrounds with their mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Tara aims to empower her clients through education, compassion, and evidence-based integrative medicine. She specializes in both PTSD and Complex PTSD, ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, Postpartum Depression, Women’s Healthcare adjacent psychiatric issues, and Bipolar. Before working at LifeStance, she worked at residential psych facilities for children and adolescents, in an IOP, at a Women’s Healthcare Department, and in Urgent Psychiatric Care in SF. Tara thinks every day is a new day with new possibilities. Outside of work, Tara loves to garden and has turned her yard into a minifarm complete with chickens. She loves to hike, trail run, do yoga, make jewelry, sew, dance, and travel. She has been to more than 40 countries and counting and plans to travel until she physically cannot anymore.
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