Melissa Kirkendall, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, brings over 20 years of behavioral health experience across inpatient and home-based care to her work with patients navigating anxiety, depression, mood disorders, ADHD, PTSD, and psychotic disorders.
Credentials & Experience
Ms. Kirkendall completed her psychiatric nurse practitioner education at Rivier University and is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). Her 20-plus years in behavioral health span both inpatient psychiatric settings and behavioral health home care, giving her clinical depth across the full continuum of psychiatric severity and care environments.
Specialties & Conditions Treated
Ms. Kirkendall specializes in treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, ADHD, and PTSD. Her two decades of cross-setting experience equip her to support patients across the full spectrum of psychiatric acuity, from stabilizing acute symptoms to managing long-term wellness.
Approach to Care
Ms. Kirkendall provides compassionate, evidence-based care focused on understanding the whole person. Treatment begins with a thorough evaluation and a collaborative discussion of goals, concerns, and treatment options. Her approach may include medication management, supportive therapy, lifestyle recommendations, and collaboration with other healthcare providers — and her goal is to help patients achieve meaningful improvement in their mental health symptoms.
What to Expect in Your First Session
Your first appointment with Ms. Kirkendall begins with a thorough psychiatric evaluation — your symptoms, your history, what you’ve tried before, and what you’re hoping to get out of treatment. From there, the two of you collaborate on goals and treatment options, with the option to integrate medication management, supportive therapy, and lifestyle recommendations into a plan that fits your needs.
Languages & Patient Populations
Ms. Kirkendall sees patients in English. Her two decades of behavioral health experience span inpatient psychiatric care and home-based behavioral health, with particular comfort working with patients experiencing severe and persistent mental illness as well as those navigating more common mental health concerns.
Conditions & Services Treated
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder — evidence-based psychiatric care
- Major Depressive Disorder — individualized treatment
- Bipolar Disorder — mood stabilization and ongoing care
- Schizophrenia & Psychotic Disorders — specialized clinical experience
- Adult ADHD — diagnosis and ongoing management
- PTSD Treatment — supportive, evidence-based care
- Severe & Persistent Mental Illness — 20+ years of experience