In our recent Q & A with our newest Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at Columbus Behavioral Health, we learned that Holly Lecklider is committed to providing holistic and person-centered psychiatric care with an emphasis on evidence based treatments. Learn more about Holly and her experience below.
Columbus Behavioral Health:
What is your treatment philosophy?
Holly Lecklider:
My psychiatric treatment philosophy is rooted in a holistic, person-centered approach, where a person’s unique needs and experiences are at the heart of the care that I provide. I believe in treating the whole person, not just the symptoms, and I’m committed to using evidence-based practices to ensure that people receive the most up-to-date treatments available. My patient’s comfort and well being are my priority, and I strive to create a supportive, compassionate environment where they feel heard and understood. Throughout a patient’s journey, we’ll work together to monitor their progress closely, making adjustments as needed to ensure they’re on the path to healing
and growth.
Columbus Behavioral Health:
How long have you been practicing and what populations do you have experience with?
Holly Lecklider:
I have been a psychiatric nurse practitioner for 5 years. Prior to my current role I worked as a nurse manager at an inpatient psychiatric facility in Memphis, Tennessee. I then worked as a nurse case manager at The James while I was pursuing my Master’s degree at the Ohio State University.
I have worked with people across the behavioral health spectrum in terms of diagnoses and severity of symptoms. I started in outpatient medication management at OhioHealth working with partial hospitalization patients with more severe depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms and also did psychiatric consults for primary care providers who felt their patients needed further evaluation. From there, I moved to a position with the psychiatric consult-liaison department at OhioHealth, working at Dublin Methodist hospital with patients who were hospitalized for medical reasons but also experiencing psychiatric symptoms and needing help.
I have been very lucky in my career to be able to work with a diverse patient population. Now, at Columbus Behavioral Health, I am able to comfortably work with people with mood and anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, OCD, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, eating disorders, personality disorders, and peripartum mental health concerns.
Columbus Behavioral Health:
What should people expect at their first appointment with you and at follow up appointments after that?
Holly Lecklider:
The first appointment is all about getting to the patient—their history, who they are now, how they are feeling and what symptoms they are experiencing. I’ll ask about what concerns are bringing them in for treatment and about past and current stressors along with questions about their personal history. We will also discuss any current medications they are taking, what they have tried in the past for psychiatric symptoms, counseling history, and any psychiatric diagnoses that they’ve been given previously.
Based on this conversation, we will start to pinpoint a diagnosis and talk about treatment options which usually include a combination of medication and counseling. Once we agree on a treatment plan we will schedule a follow up appointment to discuss progress. Once a person is feeling better on medication I usually like to see them back to touch base every 1 – 3 months and to make any needed adjustments. Sometimes people have questions or concerns in between appointments. A lot of these can be addressed through our portal— I am very responsive and will return messages within 24 hours. If there is something going on that requires a visit then I will make extra time to see people if needed.
To schedule an appointment, or to learn more about Holly Lecklider, please visit her provider page here.
