Kamani Abarikwu

Formal medical training places heavy emphasis on medication initiation/management and labeling patient issues with a corresponding diagnosis. At the end of it, the individual is typically able to safely prescribe medications and provide patients a label of what their concerns are. However, since working with patients and their families, a lot of their needs and concerns are beyond diagnosing and medication management. Many of my patients wanted to be educated more thoroughly on their mental health diagnosis and the potential impacts. Others did not understand their medications despite them being helpful. Almost all of my patients, needed help figuring out what resources were out there and available to assist them with the needs. I realized that I was spending more time, guiding patients and their loved ones through the system than I was giving them medications. As I started to spend more time providing education, coaching through lifestyle concerns, sending resources and less on pushing medications the better my patients were. They felt empowered and engaged more in their own healthcare and treatment plans. I want to continue empowering people around me and helping navigate through the complicated world of mental health care. Improving quality of life is more than just prescribing medications or preventing harm, it is how the patient feels about themselves and how they engage in their lives. That is the mind-body-spirit connection that I am focused on and wanting to share with others.

Arizona State University, BSN, Nursing, 2019 Arizona State University, DNP, Advanced Practice Nurse (Family Psychiatric/Mental Health)

Experience working with the pediatric population (5 - 17)

• I offer a FREE Initial Consultation
• I offer TeleAdvocacy Service
• I am insured
• My geographical area of practice is Within 25 miles of Tempe, Arizona