Karen Van Wie Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Board Certified (PMHNP-BC)
Karen Van Wie PMHNP-BC graduated with a Bachelor in Nursing in 1977 from the University of Arizona. She received her Master's in Nursing degree in 1998. Ms Van Wie completed certification as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in 2005. Ms Van Wie is Board Certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). She is an active member of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) and the Neuroscience Education Institute (NEI).
Ms Van Wie worked as a Registered Nurse for 28 years in neonatal intensive care units and providing early intervention services for infants and young children birth to 5 years of age throughout southern Arizona. Ms Van Wie assisted in the development of an enhanced level of care for the Special Care Nursery at St Joseph Hospital in 1990. Ms Van Wie worked to bring early intervention services to rural areas in five southern Arizona counties. These services included comprehensive developmental evaluation, home visiting, family advocacy and education, and professional education and training, Ms Van Wie has participated statewide to develop and support mental health services for infants, toddlers and children. Ms Van Wie developed a home visit screening tool for assessing resiliency and risk for infants and toddlers. Ms Van Wie has presented at multiple educational seminars and conferences.
Ms Van Wie has been providing psychiatric services primarily for children and adolescents throughout Arizona. Ms Van Wie believes evaluation requires a holistic and comprehensive approach to diagnose and individualize treatment. Ms Van Wie has extensive education, training and experience working with children and adolescents. Ms Van Wie has experience working with children, adolescents and young adults with autistic and developmental disorders. Ms Van Wie has experience assessing for sensory processing disturbances that can influence behavioral responses.
Ms Van Wie spent time providing psychiatric care for active duty military men and women, veterans and military dependents stationed in Germany and throughout Europe. There Ms Van Wie worked with individuals presenting with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and conditions associated with traumatic brain injury. Ms Van Wie worked as a team member of the Evolutions Program specific for PTSD.
Ms Van Wie regularly attends conferences and educational events to remain informed in providing psychiatric and mental health care. Ms Van Wie has continued to provide education and training for other practitioners providing mental health care.
Ms Van Wie recognizes that treatment for the child, adolescent or adult may not always require medication. Alternative treatment options are discussed. Medication management if needed is most successful in combination with therapy, nutritional and lifestyle changes. Successful treatment is a combined effort of the individual, family, provider and possibly others such as school staff.
