Psychiatric Services in Staunton, VA

Advanced Practice Clinicians: NPs and PAs

Advanced Practice Clinicians (APCs) are an integral part of our care teams. APCs consist of physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs). Both PAs and NPs provide high-quality psychiatric care for our patients. Similar to physicians, APCs require advanced training and education beyond their initial medical training. Our APCs are focused on health promotion, disease prevention and health education to guide patients to make smarter health and lifestyle choices.

  • What is the difference between a physician assistant (PA) and a nurse practitioner (NP)?

    The most significant difference between a PA and a NP is in their educational preparation. A PA attends an intense, three-year graduate-level program with many of the same courses taken by physicians, and receives a master’s degree.


    A NP is a registered nurse who attends graduate-level, advanced clinical training beyond their initial professional registered nurse preparation. NPs either have a master’s or doctoral degree.


  • Are PAs and NPs board-certified?

    PAs and NPs practice under the rules and regulations of the state and are board-certified licensed healthcare professionals. PAs are board-certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. NPs are certified through one or more certifying bodies, including the American Association of Nurse Practitioners or the American Nurses Credentialing Center.


    Both PAs and NPs must participate in ongoing continuing education, maintain a minimum number of hours in clinical practice and re-certify on a regular basis. (PAs every 10 years and NPs every 5 years).


  • What level of care can an APC provide for a patient?

    Both PAs and NPs may examine, diagnose, treat and manage acute and chronic illness, order and interpret tests and prescribe medications. They work in collaboration with physicians to provide a variety of services to our patients, including patient-centered care with a focus on health promotion, disease prevention, health education and counseling.

  • Would there ever be a situation where I may see an APC for ongoing care instead of a physician?

    A patient may be seen by an APC for follow-up care after an inpatient stay. The patient’s physician will continue to be involved in their overall care, but an APC may be the patient’s primary psychiatric provider for follow-up monitoring and treatment. All PAs and NPs work under the supervision of a physician and collaborate with them on patient cases to ensure that comprehensive and personalized care is provided to all patients.

  • Can an APC serve as my primary psychiatric provider?

    Yes! APCs provide quality primary and specialty care services similar to those of a physician. Both PAs and NPs can diagnose, treat and prescribe for acute and chronic health problems such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma, and are prepared to deliver primary care with a focus on disease prevention and health promotion. Also, with increasing demands upon our physicians to provide complex and advanced medical and surgical care, you may find that a PA or NP is able to see you more quickly.

ABOUT US

WHO WE ARE

Comprehensive Behavioral Health, located in Staunton, Virginia, is a leading outpatient psychiatric practice serving Augusta County and the surrounding area. Timothy Kane, MD, leads the team of board-certified psychiatric providers, trained advanced practice psychiatric nurse practitioners and physician assistants who provide comprehensive adult psychiatric services for conditions including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.

WHAT WE DO

The team of experienced mental health clinicians at Comprehensive Behavioral Health are familiar with traditional treatments for most conditions as well as the cutting-edge psychiatric developments for complex and difficult to treat cases.

For example, in addition to providing comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, diagnosis, and personalized treatment plans that take a holistic approach, Comprehensive Behavioral Health offers innovative transcranial stimulation therapy, and Spravato® — an intranasal ketamine spray.

HOW WE CARE

At Comprehensive Behavioral Health, every patient receives highly customized, innovative care aimed at helping them get well. The team applies an integrative, patient-focused approach to psychiatric care, creating multidisciplinary treatment plans designed to improve overall health while also addressing mental health conditions. 

Comprehensive Behavioral Health welcomes new patients. Appointments are available by calling the practice or using the online scheduling tool.

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