Josie Desmarais, PMHNP-BC 
What Is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner? Reviewed by Josie Desmarais, PMHNP-BC · Board-Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner · Last updated August 2026 A psychiatric nurse practitioner (PMHNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who specializes in mental health — trained to diagnose psychiatric conditions, prescribe medications, and provide ongoing care for adults. In Florida, PMHNPs … Read more
Can a Nurse Practitioner Do a Psychiatric Evaluation? Reviewed by Josie Desmarais, PMHNP-BC · Board-Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner · Last updated August 2026 Yes. A psychiatric nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) is specifically trained and licensed to perform full psychiatric evaluations — including the mental status exam, diagnostic interview, history-taking, and treatment planning. This is a … Read more
Can Bipolar Disorder Be Managed Without Medication? Reviewed by Josie Desmarais, PMHNP-BC · Board-Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner · Last updated August 2026 For most people with bipolar disorder — particularly bipolar I and bipolar II — medication is not optional. It is the clinical foundation of treatment. Lifestyle strategies, therapy, and behavioral supports are … Read more
Can You Manage ADHD Without Medication? What Actually Works Reviewed by Josie Desmarais, PMHNP-BC · Board-Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner · Last updated August 2026 Yes — but the honest answer comes with a significant caveat. For mild ADHD in adults with strong external structure and low functional impairment, lifestyle strategies and behavioral tools can … Read more
What Is Medication Management in Mental Health? Reviewed by Josie Desmarais, PMHNP-BC · Board-Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner · Last updated August 2026 Medication management in mental health is the ongoing, structured process of prescribing, monitoring, and adjusting psychiatric medications to maximize effectiveness and minimize side effects. It is not a one-time prescription. It is … Read more
Does Suboxone Show Up on a Drug Test? Reviewed by Josie Desmarais, PMHNP-BC · Board-Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner · Last updated August 2026 Whether Suboxone appears on a drug test depends entirely on which type of test is ordered. A standard 5-panel screening does not test for buprenorphine — it will not detect Suboxone. … Read more
How to Manage Anxiety Without Medication Reviewed by Josie Desmarais, PMHNP-BC · Board-Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner · Last updated August 2026 Anxiety is one of the most treatable mental health conditions, and a substantial number of people — particularly those with mild-to-moderate symptoms — achieve meaningful relief through non-medication strategies. If you are not … Read more
How to Manage Depression Without Medication Reviewed by Josie Desmarais, PMHNP-BC · Board-Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner · Last updated August 2026 For mild depression with identifiable situational triggers, lifestyle changes and therapy can produce real, sometimes full, symptom relief. For moderate-to-severe depression, those same strategies remain valuable — but they function as supports alongside … Read more
How Long Does Suboxone Block Opiates? Reviewed by Josie Desmarais, PMHNP-BC · Board-Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner · Last updated August 2026 Buprenorphine, the active ingredient in Suboxone, blocks opioid receptors for approximately 24 to 72 hours depending on your dose. At a standard 8–16mg daily dose, the blocking effect lasts 24–48 hours. Higher doses … Read more
Does Suboxone Make You Tired or Sleepy? Reviewed by Josie Desmarais, PMHNP-BC · Board-Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner · Last updated August 2026 Yes — fatigue and sedation are among the most common side effects of Suboxone, particularly in the first two to four weeks of treatment. This is a normal response to buprenorphine’s activity … Read more