Co-Chair

Desiree Matthews

PMHNP-BC
CEO
Different Mental Health Program

Desiree Matthews, MSN, PMHNP-BC is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and the founder of Different Mental Health Program, a multi-state telepsychiatry practice providing integrative, patient-centered psychiatric care. Her clinical work centers on the evaluation and treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, mood disorders, ADHD, and the identification and management of drug-induced movement disorders.

Ms. Matthews is particularly interested in early intervention and longitudinal treatment planning for serious mental illness, with an emphasis on functional recovery and relapse prevention. Her professional interests include long-acting injectable antipsychotics, emerging pharmacologic treatments, and the responsible use of telehealth to expand access while maintaining high standards of care. In addition to her clinical practice, she is actively involved in clinician education and regularly presents on psychiatric treatment planning, practice sustainability, and navigating the evolving mental health care landscape.

2027 Sessions

The Digital Practice: Delivering High-Quality Psychiatric Care in a Hybrid World

As psychiatric care increasingly spans in-person and virtual settings, clinicians must adapt their approach while maintaining quality, safety, and meaningful patient engagement. This session explores practical strategies for conducting effective telepsychiatric assessments, building therapeutic rapport virtually, managing safety and risk, and determining when virtual versus in-person care is most appropriate. Faculty will also address documentation, regulatory considerations, and practical approaches to creating a seamless, patient-centered hybrid model of psychiatric care.

Speaker

Sunday, April 11 3:30–4:30 PM
Faculty

Steven Krozer

PMHNP-BC, MSN, BSN, APRN
Founder and PMHNP-BC
itrust wellness

Steven J. Krozer, PMHNP-BC, is the founder of iTrust Wellness, a leading outpatient mental health clinic based in Greenville, South Carolina, and iTrust Cares, an outpatient geripsychiatry service that partners with assisted living, independent living, and skilled nursing facilities. Aside from founding these organizations, Steven maintains a robust weekly clinical caseload of patients and specializes in psychiatric medication management across a broad range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. He earned his Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University and has built his clinical practice around evidence-based, measurement-driven care.

Steven’s approach to psychiatry is deeply patient-centered and education-forward. He believes that empowering patients with clear, understandable information is the foundation for better outcomes. His style of care simplifies complex psychiatric concepts without sacrificing scientific rigor, helping patients make informed decisions while achieving consistent, measurable results.

Driven by a passion to improve the provider and patient experience, Steven also founded iTrust Insights, a technology company creating solutions that reduce provider burnout, streamline workflows, and modernize mental health treatment through AI-driven tools and outcome tracking systems.

Inspired by a cross-country bike ride for mental health advocacy, Steven has dedicated his career to making high-quality psychiatric care accessible, understandable, and sustainable. Under his leadership, iTrust Wellness has expanded rapidly, offering in-person and telehealth services throughout the Carolinas.

Co-Chair

Desiree Matthews

PMHNP-BC
CEO
Different Mental Health Program

Desiree Matthews, MSN, PMHNP-BC is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and the founder of Different Mental Health Program, a multi-state telepsychiatry practice providing integrative, patient-centered psychiatric care. Her clinical work centers on the evaluation and treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, mood disorders, ADHD, and the identification and management of drug-induced movement disorders.

Ms. Matthews is particularly interested in early intervention and longitudinal treatment planning for serious mental illness, with an emphasis on functional recovery and relapse prevention. Her professional interests include long-acting injectable antipsychotics, emerging pharmacologic treatments, and the responsible use of telehealth to expand access while maintaining high standards of care. In addition to her clinical practice, she is actively involved in clinician education and regularly presents on psychiatric treatment planning, practice sustainability, and navigating the evolving mental health care landscape.

Sleep in Psychiatric Practice: Essentials of Sleep Assessment and Insomnia Management

Sleep disturbances are among the most common and impactful concerns encountered in psychiatric practice, influencing the presentation, treatment, and outcomes of nearly every mental health condition. This session provides a practical foundation in the assessment and management of insomnia and other common sleep disturbances, with an emphasis on recognizing underlying sleep disorders, differentiating primary and secondary insomnia, and selecting evidence-based behavioral and pharmacologic interventions. Through clinical cases, faculty will discuss strategies for incorporating sleep assessment into routine psychiatric care and improving patient outcomes through individualized treatment planning.

Speaker

Monday, April 12 3:30–4:30 PM
Co-Chair

Desiree Matthews

PMHNP-BC
CEO
Different Mental Health Program

Desiree Matthews, MSN, PMHNP-BC is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and the founder of Different Mental Health Program, a multi-state telepsychiatry practice providing integrative, patient-centered psychiatric care. Her clinical work centers on the evaluation and treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, mood disorders, ADHD, and the identification and management of drug-induced movement disorders.

Ms. Matthews is particularly interested in early intervention and longitudinal treatment planning for serious mental illness, with an emphasis on functional recovery and relapse prevention. Her professional interests include long-acting injectable antipsychotics, emerging pharmacologic treatments, and the responsible use of telehealth to expand access while maintaining high standards of care. In addition to her clinical practice, she is actively involved in clinician education and regularly presents on psychiatric treatment planning, practice sustainability, and navigating the evolving mental health care landscape.

From Evidence to Practice: Practical Considerations for Clinical Judgment and Challenging Conversations - Q&A Panel

This closing Q&A panel brings NP Institute faculty together to explore how emerging evidence, clinical experience, and patient preferences inform everyday decision-making in psychiatric practice. Through moderated discussion and audience questions, panelists will share practical approaches to navigating clinical uncertainty, recognizing when to seek consultation, and addressing challenging conversations about diagnoses, medications, and treatment expectations. Faculty will discuss communication, shared decision-making, and boundary-setting strategies that preserve the therapeutic relationship while supporting evidence-based care and patient safety. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to strengthen clinical judgment and translate key takeaways from the meeting into practice.

Speaker

Tuesday, April 13 3:00–4:00 PM
Co-Chair

Julie Carbray

PhD, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN
Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Nursing
University of Illinois Chicago

Dr. Carbray holds her PhD (93) and Master of Science (88) degrees from Rush University, Chicago and her Bachelor of Science (87) degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. A Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Nursing at the University of Illinois Chicago, she has been practicing as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner over 35 years. As UIC faculty, Dr. Carbray teaches course content in psychopharmacology, mood disorders, and development and therapeutic interventions with children and adolescents for students across various multidisciplinary programs. As the Director of the Pediatric Mood Disorder Clinic, Dr. Carbray leads the clinical program and multidisciplinary training and is a nationally recognized clinical expert in children and adolescents with mood disorders. Dr. Carbray holds a national reputation of excellence in serving families of children with mood disorders, and was recognized with the UIC Preceptor of the year award, the Karen Gousman Excellence in Nursing Award, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association Best Practices in an Outpatient Program for Bipolar Disorder Award, the UIC Inspire Award, the APNA Distinguished Service Award and the Susan McCabe psychopharmacology lectureship from the International Society of Psychiatric Nurses. Dr Carbray has presented her work nationally and internationally and across communities and organizations including the American Girl Company. With a particular focus on helping families to help their children with mood disorders, Dr. Carbray has engaged in programs of research that are investigating the psychopharmacology of mood disorders, neurobiology of mood disorders, and neurobiologically informed treatments and family response to childhood mood disorders.

Co-Chair

Desiree Matthews

PMHNP-BC
CEO
Different Mental Health Program

Desiree Matthews, MSN, PMHNP-BC is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and the founder of Different Mental Health Program, a multi-state telepsychiatry practice providing integrative, patient-centered psychiatric care. Her clinical work centers on the evaluation and treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, mood disorders, ADHD, and the identification and management of drug-induced movement disorders.

Ms. Matthews is particularly interested in early intervention and longitudinal treatment planning for serious mental illness, with an emphasis on functional recovery and relapse prevention. Her professional interests include long-acting injectable antipsychotics, emerging pharmacologic treatments, and the responsible use of telehealth to expand access while maintaining high standards of care. In addition to her clinical practice, she is actively involved in clinician education and regularly presents on psychiatric treatment planning, practice sustainability, and navigating the evolving mental health care landscape.

Co-Chair

Chelsie Monroe

MSN, APN, PMHNP-BC
Founder
Balanced Mental Wellness

Chelsie Monroe is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and founder of a group private practice, Balanced Mental Wellness in Littleton, Colorado where she serves as medical director. She has over 15 years of experience working in a variety of settings including inpatient, outpatient, psychiatric emergency services, forensics, community mental health, and private practice settings. She specializes in complex trauma, forensics, addiction, and severe mental illnesses, and has special interest in psychedelic assisted therapies and entrepreneurial APN roles. Chelsie is board certified in Integrative Psychiatry, and is an expert in ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP). She is trained as a psychotherapist and believes the relationship is the key to being an excellent clinician.

Co-Chair

Andrew Penn

MS, PMHNP-BC
Clinical Professor / Director of Clinical Nursing Operations
University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing / Salma Health

Andrew Penn, MS, PMHNP is a Professor in the University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing where his teaching has received the UCSF Academic Senate Distinction in Teaching Award, among other recognitions. Trained as a psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner, he directs clinical nursing operations for Salma Health an early stage psychiatric interventional treatment clinical company. As a researcher, he has collaborated on psychedelics studies of psilocybin and MDMA in the Translational Psychedelics Research (TrPR) and the Carhart-Harris labs at UCSF. A leading voice in nursing, he is a cofounder of the Organization of Psychedelic and Entheogenic Nurses (OPENurses.org), advocating for the perspective of nurses in psychedelic therapy, he has published on psychedelics in the American Journal of Nursing, Frontiers in Psychiatry, The Journal of Humanistic Psychotherapy, and JAMA. An internationally invited speaker, he has lectured at SXSW, Aspen Health Ideas Festival, TEDx, the Singapore Ministry of Health, and Oxford University and can be found at Andrewpennnp.com.

NP Institute 2027 Final Thoughts (Non-Accredited)

Speaker

Tuesday, April 13 4:00–4:10 PM
Co-Chair

Julie Carbray

PhD, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN
Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Nursing
University of Illinois Chicago

Dr. Carbray holds her PhD (93) and Master of Science (88) degrees from Rush University, Chicago and her Bachelor of Science (87) degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. A Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Nursing at the University of Illinois Chicago, she has been practicing as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner over 35 years. As UIC faculty, Dr. Carbray teaches course content in psychopharmacology, mood disorders, and development and therapeutic interventions with children and adolescents for students across various multidisciplinary programs. As the Director of the Pediatric Mood Disorder Clinic, Dr. Carbray leads the clinical program and multidisciplinary training and is a nationally recognized clinical expert in children and adolescents with mood disorders. Dr. Carbray holds a national reputation of excellence in serving families of children with mood disorders, and was recognized with the UIC Preceptor of the year award, the Karen Gousman Excellence in Nursing Award, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association Best Practices in an Outpatient Program for Bipolar Disorder Award, the UIC Inspire Award, the APNA Distinguished Service Award and the Susan McCabe psychopharmacology lectureship from the International Society of Psychiatric Nurses. Dr Carbray has presented her work nationally and internationally and across communities and organizations including the American Girl Company. With a particular focus on helping families to help their children with mood disorders, Dr. Carbray has engaged in programs of research that are investigating the psychopharmacology of mood disorders, neurobiology of mood disorders, and neurobiologically informed treatments and family response to childhood mood disorders.

Co-Chair

Desiree Matthews

PMHNP-BC
CEO
Different Mental Health Program

Desiree Matthews, MSN, PMHNP-BC is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and the founder of Different Mental Health Program, a multi-state telepsychiatry practice providing integrative, patient-centered psychiatric care. Her clinical work centers on the evaluation and treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, mood disorders, ADHD, and the identification and management of drug-induced movement disorders.

Ms. Matthews is particularly interested in early intervention and longitudinal treatment planning for serious mental illness, with an emphasis on functional recovery and relapse prevention. Her professional interests include long-acting injectable antipsychotics, emerging pharmacologic treatments, and the responsible use of telehealth to expand access while maintaining high standards of care. In addition to her clinical practice, she is actively involved in clinician education and regularly presents on psychiatric treatment planning, practice sustainability, and navigating the evolving mental health care landscape.

Co-Chair

Chelsie Monroe

MSN, APN, PMHNP-BC
Founder
Balanced Mental Wellness

Chelsie Monroe is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and founder of a group private practice, Balanced Mental Wellness in Littleton, Colorado where she serves as medical director. She has over 15 years of experience working in a variety of settings including inpatient, outpatient, psychiatric emergency services, forensics, community mental health, and private practice settings. She specializes in complex trauma, forensics, addiction, and severe mental illnesses, and has special interest in psychedelic assisted therapies and entrepreneurial APN roles. Chelsie is board certified in Integrative Psychiatry, and is an expert in ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP). She is trained as a psychotherapist and believes the relationship is the key to being an excellent clinician.

Co-Chair

Andrew Penn

MS, PMHNP-BC
Clinical Professor / Director of Clinical Nursing Operations
University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing / Salma Health

Andrew Penn, MS, PMHNP is a Professor in the University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing where his teaching has received the UCSF Academic Senate Distinction in Teaching Award, among other recognitions. Trained as a psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner, he directs clinical nursing operations for Salma Health an early stage psychiatric interventional treatment clinical company. As a researcher, he has collaborated on psychedelics studies of psilocybin and MDMA in the Translational Psychedelics Research (TrPR) and the Carhart-Harris labs at UCSF. A leading voice in nursing, he is a cofounder of the Organization of Psychedelic and Entheogenic Nurses (OPENurses.org), advocating for the perspective of nurses in psychedelic therapy, he has published on psychedelics in the American Journal of Nursing, Frontiers in Psychiatry, The Journal of Humanistic Psychotherapy, and JAMA. An internationally invited speaker, he has lectured at SXSW, Aspen Health Ideas Festival, TEDx, the Singapore Ministry of Health, and Oxford University and can be found at Andrewpennnp.com.

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