A groundbreaking moment in every PMHNP’s career comes when they recognize they are the treatment. For some, this realization doesn’t happen until after they’re certified in four different modalities.
Then it hits them: Am I good enough yet?
After imposter syndrome fades, it’s replaced by what you do better than most – creating a space that feels safer and warmer than what most of us American healthcare consumers are used to.
That stark white space and dirty linoleum floor.
The blinding LED light inviting a migraine.
A cold room.
A provider hidden behind a large screen.
Maybe you find yourself alone again in the second waiting room.
The medical assistant who robotically asks questions devoid of eye contact.
Feel better yet?
Eva’s house was different.
It was a cozy indoor space warmed by the sun. Three comfortable, slightly worn chairs invited you in – two rockers and one swivel chair. Red, blue, and wood. A lazy cat sat on one. But the space wasn’t Eva’s secret sauce. It only added to the experience. The tea at Eva’s tasted better than anywhere else. Yet the tea wasn’t expensive…
Growing up, I thought Eva’s magic came from her ability to float vertically in a pool. How the heck did she do that? Lung capacity, air volume, and maybe some luck played a role? No, it was her ability to remain calm.
Just like an elite athlete in the flow state. Except Eva was 77.
Decades later, I realized this vertical floating trick wasn’t the reason for Eva’s charm. The real magic was just her. Her presence. Her smile. The connection she offered – something most people lack nowadays, with their necks bent and eyes buried in their devices and a strange look on the face, searching for something that hasn’t arrived.
Eva was the treatment. Her smile was the beginning of hope. Back then, I didn’t fully appreciate this connection. I didn’t know of polyvagal theory (more on that later). I didn’t know how to make someone feel a little more at peace.
We have the choice to bring this energy and presence every day.
Or, at the very least, to notice those who don’t.
You’re not alone on this path.
Eva’s Tea newsletter is a space where real-world PMHNP wisdom gets steeped into something you can apply. Whether you’re prepping for boards, starting a practice, or quietly plotting your leap into leadership, you’ll find something here that speaks to you and speaks for you.
No fluff. Just field-tested insight from clinicians who’ve been there, still show up, and genuinely want to help you rise.
Sipping on Strategy, Steeped in Presence. Welcome to Eva’s Tea. Where your story becomes someone else’s hope.