About Allison
Allison Ernest is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in Richmond, VA. She has experience working with children, adolescents, teens, and adults. Allison has worked with patients in both the outpatient and inpatient settings.
Allison began her nursing career in the Emergency Department where she spent fifteen years. It was during this time that Allison recognized a need and developed a passion for mental health, as the Emergency Department is often where people spend some of their worst days. She began furthering her education with Crisis Intervention Training and mental health advocacy and would educate staff on mental illnesses while advocating for psychiatric patients during their time in the ER.
If you’re interested in seeing Allison, please register below:
Register with AllisonTreatment Style
As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, Allison believes prescribing is just one component of a successful treatment plan and will actively encourage therapy and self-care practices. Allison is open and honest about the pros and cons of any medication choice, and thinks it is crucial for the patient to be a part of their own treatment plan.
Allison prides herself on allowing her clients to have a safe space to be their authentic self and feel comfortable in doing so. Getting to know you as a person is very important to Allison. This can greatly assist in many aspects of treatment, as well as the therapeutic relationship.
Allison also stresses that a mental health diagnosis is no different than any other medical diagnosis you may receive and should be treated as such. If a mental health diagnosis is made, she stresses that this is only a piece of you and does not define you as a person, often stressing that diagnostics are not the primary focus and the ultimate goal is having your life worth living.
Specialties & Expertise
Allison specializes in and enjoys working with clients with the following struggles:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Social anxiety disorders
- Panic disorders
- OCD
- ADHD
- Mood disorders
- Psychosis
- Co-occurring disorders
- Addiction
- Personality disorders
- Trauma-related disorders
- PTSD
- Bipolar disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Community Specialities
Allison enjoys helping those in the following communities:
- LGBTQ+
- Autism
Ages Served
Allison works with the following age groups:
- Children (8+)
- Adolescents
- Teens
- Adults
- Older Adults
Treatment Modality
Allison provides therapy to:
- Individuals
Education
- M.S. Nursing – Walden University, School of Nursing, 2019
- B.S. Nursing – Liberty University, 2013
- Diploma of Nursing – Bon Secours College of Nursing), 2007
Service Areas
Allison works out of our Richmond, VA office, but sees clients from the following nearby areas:
- Henrico, VA
- Short Pump, VA
- Glen Allen, VA
- Ashland, VA
- Goochland, VA
- Hanover, VA
- Mechanicsville, VA
- Midlothian, VA
- Chesterfield, VA
Telehealth Therapy
If you don’t live in the Richmond, VA area, Allison is also available for telehealth therapy in Virginia. Please contact our office to see if you’d be a good fit for telehealth sessions.
License
Allison Ernest is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in Richmond, VA. She is licensed to practice in Virginia since 2020 with license number 0024178897.