One reason why I love my job is that people come here for the things that are "invisible" and it's our opportunity to make them visible. While stigmas from society tell them there is something wrong with them, that they aren't good enough, I get the chance to say nope, it's an organ, and we can help.
So many people don't feel good about their healthcare and that is so important especially in mental healthcare. We don't have specific tests to give specific diagnosis. Our gold standard is listenting and understanding. Of any other field, that is so important.
Sometimes medication can be helpful, and sometimes not. During an evaluation with me, we can figure that out together. The only thing you'll for sure get from me is an idea of what all the possible options are and an opportunity to explore them if and when you feel ready.
PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER
Pronouns: She/Her, They/Them
Karin felt called to make a difference in how people experience their healthcare as she became increasingly aware of how discouraged many people feel within our modern healthcare system. Specifically, prescribing medication was a field Karin felt deserved and demanded so much more listening and understanding than what existed. So, after having already received Bachelors of Arts in both Women's Studies and English from the University of Minnesota, Karin went on to achieve her Master of Social Work with Contextual and Policy concentrations from the University of Washington. To further her education, she then achieved a Master of Science in Nursing with a Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing concentration, also from the University of Washington.
Karin believes everyone deserves healthcare providers with whom they feel supported, understood, and encouraged to take an active role in their health and wellbeing. Since beginning her work as a Nurse Practitioner, she has been an advocate for treating whole people rather than just symptoms, discussing options with clients rather than making decisions for them, and creating customized treatment plans based on unique physical, social, and emotional circumstances of the individual rather than what is considered "standard" or "most common."
Karin deeply enjoys providing care to all clients seeking her help and specializes in care across the lifespan whether it be a 3-year-old child with ADHD or a 103-year-old adult suffering from depression. She also specializes in LGBTQ health, gender-affirming treatments, family- and systems-based interventions, trauma-informed care, multimodal treatments (pharmacotherapy + psychotherapy), and interdisciplinary collaborative care.
No matter her client, Karin's goal is clear - remission of symptoms to allow for the best quality of life. Her aim is not to simply make your symptoms "bearable" and she is not in the business of trading symptoms for negative side-effects from treatment. Karin will work to find a medication and treatment plan that will enable you to live the life you envision for yourself - period.
Treatment with Karin begins with an Initial Evaluation during which the client and Karin get to know each other. Since she considers it her first job to listen and understand the whole picture, this appointment is scheduled for a two-hour block of time. After all, what can you learn about a person in just 30 minutes? In order to provide the best and most well-informed care, we provide adequate time and a comfortable atmosphere for Karin and her client to have an honest and open conversation about symptoms, goals, potential obstacles, concerns, needs, hopes, and past experiences both good and bad. This appointment is meant to explore options. There is no pressure to commit to anything afterwards.
Should the client wish to pursue medication management with Karin, follow-up appointments will be scheduled as best suited for the co-created treatment plan and client comfort. These appointments are used to determine if any adjustments need to be made or if the client has any questions or concerns. They are also used to discuss support systems for the client like family, friends, school, and other outside support. Karin wants each of her clients to know that whatever the struggle is, from medication side-effects to problems picking up prescriptions, you do not have to live with those struggles alone. There is a team here to support and listen to you.
This team is created as soon as the client shows interest in medication managements with Karin. Karin reaches out to those involved in the care of her prospective client in preparation for the Initial Evaluation and continues to work with them to create and implement the best treatment plan possible. This care team usually involves the client's talk therapist, primary care provider, and anyone else involved in the client's care as they feel comfortable. Between regular follow-ups and open lines of communication with other providers, wholistic care within an atmosphere of greater trust, safety, and confidence is established which we have found leads to greater client satisfaction.
Medication isn't right for everyone or for every situation. By attending an Initial Evaluation, you are not committing to anything and you will not be pressured into taking medication. Sometimes it is just nice to talk in depth with someone about everything that is going on to get their specialized opinion. Karin wants to help inform your decisions and provide you with as many options as would be helpful. Her goal is not to prescribe medication, but to support and encourage her clients by listening and providing you with her expertise so that you can make decisions to better live the life you want for yourself. Sometimes, that might even mean medication wouldn't be helpful. Either way, with Karin, you will have a supportive and knowledgeable team by your side to figure it out with you.
Karin Riggs, MSN, is a Licensed Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner in Washington State (AP60782210). Her NPI number is 1902325541.
