Renee Kotlarz 

Throughout my career as a nurse I have enjoyed meeting people on their life's journey and walking alonside them. I strive to provide my clients with information, tools, and resources that can help them reach their goals. My clients will hear me say that they are the ones doing the hard work; because it is true. I am simply walking beside them until they are ready to continue on their own way. Sometimes this does include helping them to stay motivated and focused.

I encourage clients to utilize a wraparound team approach to receive the resources and supports that with aid them to achieve their optimal level of physical, mental, and social wellness.  As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, my primary role on my clients' team is prescribing medications. 

Medications are sometimes necessary to allow people to more effectively utilize their skills. This need can be temporary for some - while for others medication may be a long term part of their mental wellness. I frequently draw the parallel to medications used in hypertension or type 2 diabetes management. There are some individuals who are able to make diet and other lifestyle changes that bring their blood pressure or blood sugars back into ranges that are considered safe or healthy. Other individuals, no matter how perfect their diet or how intense their exercise regimen, will always need some medication to keep their pressures and sugars from causing long term health damage.  

I strive to advocate for the rights of all individuals by working to reduce the stigma around mental illness, remove barriers to healthcare access, and increase community inclusion. This includes persons who identify with populations that have faced marginalization and discrimination.