Psychiatry in Knoxville, Tennessee Al Mathewson, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Leslie “Al” Mathewson, PMHNP believes that effective communication between patient and prescriber is the key element to successful medication management. Al listens to all the relevant factors in his sessions with his patients and believes this is the key to understanding the individual, the mental health diagnosis, and the different treatment options. His approach is patient-centered, which assists in his ability to form a diagnosis, and educates the patient about the various options available for treatment. Al works with his patients collaboratively to find the best course of treatment while maintaining best practices to help the patient feel most comfortable. Al started his career as a Clinical Social Worker after graduating from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, where he was trained in family systems theory. He obtained a certification in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and has studied Neuro Linguistic Programming as a communication tool. This additional training allows him to go beyond the “medical model,” and integrate other therapeutic modalities to maximize patient outcomes. After nearly a decade of working as a social worker, Al attended the University of Tennessee Knoxville, and received a Master of Science degree in Nursing. Al has over 20 years of clinical experience. He has worked as a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in both private and public psychiatric hospitals, clinics, and intensive outpatient programs. He has provided services to inmates in both jails and prisons. He has had privileges at three general medical hospitals where he served as a psychiatric consultant to attending physicians. These different settings provided Al with a wide range of experience in treating diverse populations. Al is experienced in working with substance abuse, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and psychotic disorders. In addition to his clinical experience, Al has also lectured at the University of Tennessee (UTK), College of Nursing in the Undergraduate program. He has been a clinical instructor for the UTK Senior nursing students, having received the Clinical Faculty Award. Al has served as clinical adjunct faculty for five different universities, including Lincoln Memorial University and UTK. In this role, he has precepted over 12 nurse practitioner students over the past 18 years. In his free time, Al enjoys playing guitar, spending time in nature, and engaging in quality time with his granddaughters. Whether it is going to the zoo, playing in the park, or just hanging out at home, listening and understanding is the key to building strong family relationships.