Psychiatric Refocusing Intervention

PMHNP Certification Q & A · Jul 23, 2025 · 5m

The PMHNP is conducting a follow-up appointment with a patient who is being treated for generalized anxiety disorder. The patient has a long-standing difficult relationship with her mother and today it is evident that this is being exacerbated by her mother recently being diagnosed with cancer. Her mother does not appear to appreciate the sacrifices that the patient is making to help her, and the patient is very upset by this. At this appointment the patient is agitated and begins to perseverate over the lack of participation by other family members.

The NP, in an attempt to refocus the…