Bridging the Gap
Bridging the Gap: How Carly Williamson is Transforming Community Mental Health Care
For many Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs), the drive to specialize in community mental health often comes from witnessing our community members repeatedly falling through the gaps in our healthcare system. For Carly Williamson, a 2023 Lois Price Spratlen Foundation scholarship recipient, the spark to do more was ignited through her decade of diverse clinical experiences.
Carly’s journey in healthcare began in 2013 as a Nursing Assistant in the NICU at Emanuel Medical Center. This early exposure to high-stakes, compassionate care laid the groundwork for a nursing career dedicated to patient advocacy.
However, it was her transition to emergency medicine that truly shaped her professional trajectory.
Carly served as an ER Registered Nurse at Northshore Skokie Hospital (2019–2020), and later at CHI Franciscan Health (2020–2022), putting her on the front lines of the mental health crisis. She observed a recurring, heartbreaking pattern of patients being discharged from inpatient psychiatric care, only to fall through the cracks during the transition back to the community.
“Many patients struggled to access timely follow-up care, often due to limited resources and a lack of coordination between services. Seeing this repeatedly motivated me to pursue a role where I could help bridge that gap.”
Determined to be part of the solution, Carly immersed herself in psychiatric nursing by honing her skills at Kitsap Mental Health Services and Navos between 2021 and 2024. These roles allowed her to witness the complexities of long-term mental healthcare and solidified her resolve to become a provider who could offer both stability and advanced clinical expertise.
She went on to graduate with a 4.0 GPA from Pacific Lutheran University with a Doctorate of Nursing Practice as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Where is Carly Now?
Today, in her current role as a psychiatric nurse practitioner at Sea Mar Community Health Center, Carly has come full circle. She is no longer just observing and advocating for change for the "gap" in care; she is actively closing it by translating years of frontline nursing experience into evidence-based psychiatric treatment interventions.
One of the most rewarding aspects of her professional progress is the ability to reassess and revitalize treatment plans for patients who have struggled for years on ineffective medication regimens. Through careful medication management and individualized treatment planning, she has helped patients regain their quality of life. She recalls the recoveries of patients once so paralyzed by anxiety or depression that they could not leave their own bedrooms.
“Seeing my patients regain their independence and succeed is something I take great pride in.”
While clinical skills like psychopharmacology are critical, Carly’s decade-long path to serving in community mental health has provided unexpected growth in other areas. She emphasizes that her journey has reinforced the importance of collaboration.
Carly notes, “this journey has strengthened my ability to conduct thorough research and to seek guidance from colleagues with greater expertise when needed.” She believes that knowing your resources—and recognizing the unique strengths of your team members—is the cornerstone of providing the best possible patient care.
From the NICU to her role at Sea Mar, her journey is a testament to the power of a provider who sees a gap in the system and decides to become the bridge.
Advice for the Next Generation of PMHNPs
For PMHNP students or those considering this career path, Carly offers a blend of clinical and practical wisdom:
Trust the process: She encourages students and new psychiatric providers not to worry if medication selection or dosing feels challenging at first. Comfort grows with practice, using your resources, and time on the job.
Master "quiet" skills: She says efficient, concise documentation is essential to a provider’s quality of life. Strong charting supports timely care, saves time, and maintains work-life boundaries.
Collaborate Early and Often: Carly reports that for any provider, recognizing colleagues' strengths is crucial for collaborating effectively and supporting one another in providing the best patient care; find experts and don’t be afraid to ask for a consultation. In the complex world of mental health, no one provides care in a vacuum, and knowledge grows when it is shared.
The Impact of the Lois Price Spratlen Foundation
Carly Williamson’s journey and service to her community as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner are a testament to the mission of the Lois Price Spratlen Foundation. By supporting dedicated professionals like Carly, the Foundation helps ensure that the "gaps" in our mental health system are filled by compassionate, highly-skilled practitioners who are dedicated to seeing their patients not just survive, but thrive.
Support the Next Generation of Care
Carly’s achievements show the impact of the Lois Price Spratlen Foundation, which supports students who excel in clinical care and show a strong commitment to their community. Whether you are a nursing student or a community member, you can help empower the next generation of mental health leaders.
Learn more about the LPSF scholarship or donate now to the Foundation to make an immediate impact today.