Practice Focus and Philosophy
My work in private practice focuses on the evaluation, diagnosis and medication management of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. As a Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurse, I focus on helping to optimize mental health and wellbeing in children and adolescents. I take a comprehensive approach to the diagnostic process and consider the complex web of interactions in the patient's psychiatric, medical, family, and social history, in addition to environmental, educational, and lifestyle factors that can lead to emotional struggles and mental illness.
While my clinical work specializes in pharmacologic interventions, I provide comprehensive treatment planning that involves recommendations beyond medication and typically involves lifestyle interventions such as exercise, sleep hygiene, nutritional support, parenting support, and social engagement. I also believe, and research evidence supports in most clinical presentations, that therapy in concert with medication intervention results in the best outcomes for most children and adolescents. That being said, I will often work to assist patients in finding a therapist, if they don’t have one prior to beginning work with me.
I am a thoughtful and careful psychopharmacologist and, if I determine medication to be warranted, I strive to develop the appropriate medication regimen in a collaborative, supportive and therapeutic manner. When indicated, medication can be can be a highly effective component of a treatment plan when paired with lifestyle interventions, ongoing and constructive therapy and/or other therapeutic supports.
Depending on the patient’s unique situation and treatment needs, I may also make referrals to other treatment providers such as speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, nutritionists, providers of complimentary interventions, and providers of community services. Recognizing the important role that pediatricians and school professionals often play in supporting the mental health and wellness of children in my care, I will also work to establish collaborative relationships with these individuals when indicated. I also appreciate how significantly parents/primary caregivers can impact a child's treatment progress and I strive to optimize parent involvement in this process as much as is appropriate.
Lastly, and most importantly, I am highly dedicated to my patients and approach every child and adolescent with compassion and curiosity. I prioritize the development of a positive therapeutic alliance and view the development of such a relationship to be a key component to achieving treatment success.
Background
Courtney Marchetti, MSN, APRN-BC, is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse with over fifteen years of clinical experience providing mental health care to children, adolescents, and families in a variety of settings, including inpatient hospitals, residential treatment facilities, private outpatient group practice, and at a variety of educational institutions. A graduate of Northeastern University Graduate School of Nursing, she has also conducted advanced training in psychiatric nursing at Yale University, as well as at Boston Medical Center, in affiliation with Boston University Medical School. She is board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Child/Adolescent Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist.