PA Mindset Matters

In medicine, it’s easy to focus on diagnoses, treatment plans, and checklists. But some of the most meaningful moments in care happen when we pause long enough to see the person beyond them. In this episode of Mindset Matters, we sit down with a leader in psychiatry to explore what it truly means to care for patients with intellectual and developmental differences—and how these experiences reshape the way we practice medicine as a whole. This conversation goes beyond career paths. It’s about humanity in care—and the responsibility we carry as clinicians to approach patients with curiosity, compassion, and respect for their lived experience. We explore: Caring for patients with intellectual disabilities in a system not always built for them Shifting from a diagnosis-driven model to a person-centered approach How psychiatry deepens our understanding of behavior, communication, and connection What these patients teach us about presence, patience, and meaning in medicine This episode is a reminder that some of the most impactful care we provide doesn’t come from having the right answer— It comes from being willing to see, listen, and understand more deeply. Whether you work in psychiatry or another specialty, this conversation will challenge you to think differently about what it means to truly care for your patients.

In this episode of The Mindset Matters, psychiatric PAs Mercedes Dodge and Jessica Spissinger interview Ava, a psych PA and clinical assistant professor at Texas A&M, about her transition from emergency psychiatry to outpatient academic practice. She reflects on working across 13 Houston-area hospitals, the lack of continuity in emergency care, and how her mother’s mental illness shaped her path into psychiatry later in life. Ava discusses her current role—primarily adult outpatient care with teaching responsibilities—along with PA advocacy, job-search strategies, and prescribing challenges in Texas. She also shares favorite resources and wellness habits like puzzles and Peloton.

In this episode of PA Mindset Matters, hosts Mercedes Dodge, PA-C and Jessica Spissinger, PA-C connect with psychiatric physician assistant Jasprina Ming, DMS, MPAS, PA-C at Psych Congress to discuss pathways into psychiatry, the mental health workforce shortage, and the broader impact of psychiatric care. Jasprina shares how growing up with a mother with mental illness shaped her perspective, emphasizing that treating one patient often means supporting an entire family and community while helping reduce stigma around mental health. She also discusses her clinical approach to depression, anxiety, and ADHD, highlighting the importance of both psychopharmacology and psychotherapy in outpatient care. Her career journey includes transitioning from a registered vascular technologist (RVT), where she performed vascular ultrasounds, to becoming a PA to be more involved in the full continuum of patient care. Despite being told that opportunities for PAs in psychiatry were limited in her area, she pursued the field through dedicated training and mentorship. The conversation also explores the realities of practicing psychiatry, including maintaining boundaries, avoiding burnout, and staying present outside of work. She shares practical strategies such as completing documentation during the workday and intentionally disconnecting after clinic to be fully present with family. This episode highlights the human side of psychiatric care and reinforces that mental health is health, and that every clinician plays a role in recognizing and supporting it.

In this episode of The PA Mindset Matters, hosts Mercedes Dodge and Jessica Spissinger interview Edward Traverso about how his military deployment shaped his commitment to mental health. Edward describes discovering the PA profession, working on an adult inpatient involuntary unit, and completing a one-year psychiatry PA residency at the VA in Houston partnered with Baylor. Now practicing addiction psychiatry at New Start Clinic in Washington and Oregon, he emphasizes the role of substances in mental health, the importance of empathy and motivational interviewing, and building a non-paternalistic therapeutic alliance. He shares resources like The Carlat Report, NEI, and PCSS training, discusses diversifying roles to reduce burnout, and highlights interests including correctional psychiatry and interventional psychiatry. Edward’s path is a story of service, purpose, and redefining what it means to practice patient-centered care.

Psychiatric PA Serah Sulaiman, MPAS, PA-C joins PA Mindset Matters to discuss pediatric mental health, emotional dysregulation, and Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) treatment programs. In this episode, hosts Mercedes Dodge, PA-C and Jessica Spissinger, PA-C explore Serah’s path from teaching to psychiatry and her work supporting high-acuity youth transitioning from inpatient care, residential programs, or periods of school disruption back into daily life. We discuss emotional dysregulation, interdisciplinary collaboration in behavioral health, and the role of creative outlets—like music and art—in helping patients develop healthier coping skills. Serah also completed the CLINAQ Fellowship through Morehouse School of Medicine, where she explored innovative approaches to emotional dysregulation. Outside of clinical practice, she creates music under the name Xyla (on TikTok), using songwriting to connect with others around mental health. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform.🌐 Read the blog recap at www.PAMindset.com

In this Mindset Matters podcast, we feature Miriam Dineen, PA-C, interviewed at the PA Institute in Orland. Dineen shares her path from infectious diseases and hospital medicine to integrative medicine, and ultimately outpatient psychiatry during COVID due to rising mental health needs. She integrates lifestyle medicine into psychiatric care, sees pediatric and adult patients via in-person and telehealth visits, and earned her psychiatry CAQ to deepen her knowledge. In private practice she emphasizes strong supervision, lifelong learning, and involvement in PA education. Her interests include bipolar disorder (often delayed diagnosis), adolescents, neurodivergent patients, and reducing stigma. To prevent burnout, she encourages diversifying beyond full-time clinical work. She invites listeners to connect on LinkedIn and notes her upcoming AAPA Congress Elevate session in Las Vegas.

In this episode of The Mindset Matters podcast, hosts Mercedes Dodge and Jessica Spissinger interview Victoria (Tor )Starner, a psychiatric physician assistant (PA). Tor discusses her journey from pediatric outpatient care to her current role in psychiatry, working initially in a fully remote setting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She highlights the importance of mentorship and the value of networking in advancing her career. Tor shares her passion for mental health, continuous learning through resources like podcasts, and incorporating personal hobbies such as dance into her therapeutic practice. The discussion also covers her recent transition to an on-site position in New York City focusing on treatments like Spravato and TMS, and her interest in ADHD, anxiety, and women's mental health. Listeners are encouraged to find mentors, ask about mentorship in job interviews, and trust their training when entering new roles in psychiatry.

In this episode of Mindset Matters, we sit down with Yuliya Bjorgan, a Psychiatric PA practicing in outpatient private care with experience spanning general psychiatry and addiction medicine. Yuliya shares how a lifelong curiosity about psychiatry, supportive preceptors, and openness to opportunity shaped her path into mental health care. We explore her current work treating bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety, how addiction medicine deepened her understanding of patient behavior, and why approaching patients—and careers—with no expectations can be transformative. She also discusses the role of continuous learning through books, conferences, and evidence-based resources, and how creative outlets like running, painting, beadwork, and elaborate cooking help her stay grounded outside of clinical work. This episode offers thoughtful insight for PAs navigating psychiatry, addiction medicine, or simply seeking a more curious, patient-centered way of practicing.

In this episode of Mindset Matters, recorded at the Psych Congress PA Institute in December 2025, we had the honor of sitting down with Anthony Campanella, PA-C, CAQ-Psychiatry—a psychiatric PA with five years of experience across child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry. Anthony shares how one inpatient child and adolescent psychiatry rotation—and one patient—changed the course of his career, shifting him from an initial interest in orthopedics to a deeply fulfilling path in mental health care. We explore what it’s like to care for high-acuity patients, including the use of long-acting injectables, how collaborative care strengthens outcomes, and why combining psychopharmacology with supportive psychotherapy and patient autonomy is essential for long-term success. Anthony also reflects on self-care, boundaries, and sustainability in psychiatry—and how caring for yourself allows you to show up more fully for patients. This episode is a must-listen for PAs considering psychiatry or anyone navigating career pivots with purpose.

Welcome to The Mindset Matters, the podcast where psychiatry, medicine, and human connection meet — hosted by psychiatric PAs Mercedes Dodge and Jessica Spissinger. In this episode, we explore how Physician Associates are stepping into psychiatry to close the mental health access gap. From the national psychiatrist shortage to post-COVID demand, Mercedes and Jessica break down what it takes to transition from primary care to psychiatric practice. They debunk myths about PA training, discuss fellowship and certification options, and share practical strategies for building competence and confidence in psychiatry. Whether you’re a practicing PA, a student, or a clinician curious about mental health care, this episode will inspire you to see psychiatry through a new lens — one grounded in the medical model, teamwork, and compassion.

In this episode of The Mindset Matters Podcast, psychiatric PAs Mercedes Dodge and Jessica Spissinger dive into the fascinating journey of ketamine—from its origins as a battlefield anesthetic during the Vietnam War to its modern role as a rapid-acting antidepressant transforming mental health care. They unpack the differences between racemic ketamine and esketamine (Spravato®), discuss their use in treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain, and examine the evidence behind ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. The conversation explores how this once-controversial drug evolved from party stigma to clinical promise, highlighting mechanisms of action, dosing routes, safety considerations, side effects, and regulatory frameworks that guide its use today. You’ll also hear insights on combining ketamine with therapy to enhance long-term outcomes, myths and misconceptions, and what clinicians need to know before integrating ketamine into practice. Whether you’re a PA, clinician, or mental-health enthusiast, this episode offers a balanced, practical, and evidence-based look at one of psychiatry’s most exciting frontiers.

Join Jessica Spissinger and Mercedes Dodge as they dive into the emerging science of Lifestyle Psychiatry — where evidence-based medicine meets everyday habits. In this episode, they unpack the six pillars of lifestyle psychiatry: physical activity, nutrition, restorative sleep, stress management, toxic exposure reduction, and social connectedness. Discover how these pillars can transform care for conditions like depression, anxiety, ADHD, and more. You’ll also hear insights into related fields like nutritional and metabolic psychiatry, plus key studies and practical strategies for integrating lifestyle interventions into mental health practice. Tune in for an engaging, research-informed discussion that highlights holistic, person-centered approaches to mental wellness — designed for both clinicians and anyone passionate about mental health.