Board certified
Stress / Mental Stress / Work Stress, Depression, Anxiety, Sleep / Insomnia
Accepted insurance & self-pay
About Robb
Robb is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) who manages and treats a wide range of mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, family difficulties, school issues, sleep/insomnia, work-related stress, and many more challenges that everyday Americans face. He is passionate about providing quality, compassionate, concise, and nonjudgmental mental health services to clients of all ages. As a PMHNP, Robb's role is multifaceted, including educator, mental health advocate, therapist, and medication manager. While working in psychiatric hospitals, Robb has learned how to listen to his patients the way he wants to be listened to when he sees his own personal physician. Robb makes it his goal to include the patient in every step of the decision-making process to individually tailor the patient's treatment plan to their needs. Whether it is medication management, therapy, or a coordinated effort with the patient's personal healthcare providers, Robb wants to deliver the fastest, easiest, and most effective results that he can for his clients.
Robb completed his Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) at East Tennessee State University and began his medical career as a Patient Care Tech over 20 years ago. Robb possesses strong clinical skills and a natural ability to build rapport with patients and families. Robb is frequently appointed as a teacher and is given the responsibility of orienting new nurses at every hospital and facility he has ever worked in, including East Tennessee State University. The same genuine nature and approachability that make him a good teacher are what make it easy for Robb's patients to talk to him. Robb believes that the best tool every mental health provider has available to them is their ears. He knows that if he really listens to his patients, then with his training he can give them the best possible care they can receive. In addition to medication management, he incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) along with culturally sensitive, emotionally focused, faith-based, patient-centered techniques into his patient's treatment.
Life is hard. And the reason that Robb is the best provider to help you is that he has not only lived through life's tough challenges, but he has also learned what it means to listen when others are experiencing them. Robb has spent the last 4 years treating patients struggling with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, PTSD, occupationally-related stress, phobias, faith struggles, sudden states of panic, and even very intense schizophrenia in people of all ages and all walks of life. When in a session with Robb, you will not feel judged, you will not feel embarrassed, and you will not feel stupid; but most importantly you will feel like you are being heard. Robb's goal from session number one is to make you feel like you have found a real support person to help you meet whatever challenge you have in front of you. You have come to Thriveworks today because you are facing problems that you do not believe you can face on your own. It won't be difficult, and it won't be nerve-wracking. When you get into your first session with Robb you will see just how easy it is, and you will thank yourself for years to come for making this decision. You've already decided that you need help, and Robb can set you on the path to concurring with your challenges. So, take the next step and schedule your appointment with Robb today!
"As a blue-collar middle-aged native of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, I can relate to the cultural, vocational, family-oriented, economic, and generally stressful challenges that everyday Americans face."
Get to know Robb
Why did you decide to become a psychiatric provider?
I worked for 17 years as a medical caregiver in many different settings.The reason for that was, I kept finding during treating my patients' physical needs, a lack of self-care which was why I kept seeing the same patients again and again. So, instead of treating so many of the same people for the same reasons over and over again, I said, "Let's get to the source of the problem." And that's when I realized that most people who were not taking care of themselves had poor self-care because they had given up. They were unhappy, depressed, stressed out, and generally just beat up by life. The reason I became a psychiatric provider is I finally understood that the problem, in most cases, starts with the mental health aspect of people's lives.
What types of clients do you work with best?
I work best with any client who comes to me looking for help. I have taken care of clients from every background. They may be wealthy, poor, religious or non-religious, they may have varying political views, different cultural views, they may have different views about medications or healthcare in general, but I work as well with one as do all the rest because I treat all of my clients with equal respect.
What's one thing you wish all clients knew?
That my sessions are a welcome space for everyone. It is more than o.k. for them to let their guard down and be an open book. The more relaxed the client is during the session, the more productive it can be. When they come to their first session, the one thing my clients will know is that even if there is nowhere else in their life they feel they can freely express themselves, they will be able to in their sessions with me.
Why did you choose to practice at Thriveworks?
I have worked with many psychiatric organizations in both telehealth and inpatient hospitals. Those experiences taught me what type of employer and work environment I like and will work best with. For me, Thriveworks is a great fit. It allows me to be able to reach out to clients that I may otherwise never be able to with any other company. I love my job and that means I love working with my patients. Thriveworks' name is very appropriate for both of those reasons because with this company, my patients and I alike can thrive!
What inspires you?
The three things that inspire me the most are the three F's: Faith, Family, and Friends. Then for good measure, I would put in the fourth F, fun!
What can clients expect in their first session with you?
In their first session, the client can expect us to go over the primary reason that they have come for a session. Then, we will discuss their medical, family, psychiatric and social history. We will go back as far as the patient is comfortable going and review only what is important to their goals. That first session is primarily information gathering, but it is a good chance for us to get to know each other and become comfortable with the therapeutic process.
What should clients know about you before scheduling a first counseling session?
My clients should know they are going to get a provider that is very down to earth who is motivated to get them the help they need. The environment over the telehealth connection is very welcoming, and they will feel right at home.
What do you do for fun/on your time off?
You can ask anyone at any of the hospitals I have worked for. When they see me coming, they will see pictures of my kids doing whatever the family was doing the day before. Oh yeah, I'm that guy. My wife and I love doing things with our children. We may be going to a trampoline park, roller skating, taking a trip to Gatlinburg, or just going to a local park or playground (my two daughters are 3 and 5), but whatever it is that I'm doing for fun, my family is always part of the plan.
Other areas of focus
Education and training
- Years in practice
- 4 years
- Graduating institute
- East Tennessee State University
- Graduating degree
- Master of Science in Nursing
Additional details
Practice information
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