Lauren Harrington, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, Clinical Director

I am a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), licensed to practice in the state of Illinois. East central Illinois is my home. I grew up just outside of Monticello on a cattle farm and moved back to the area a few years ago.

I pursued my Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Millikin University, graduating in 2018. Through my BSN program I began my journey in mental health, almost by accident, while working as a CNA. Since graduating, I have worked as an RN in adolescent, adult, and geriatric inpatient facilities, intensive outpatient for seniors, emergency department case management, and as an outpatient mental health nurse. During Covid, many psychiatric facilities across the state began to close and the need for mental health care continued to grow rapidly. Due to the increasing demand for mental health services, I felt I had an opportunity to better serve and help those in our community. This lead to the decision to pursue my Masters of Science in Nursing through Walden University, which I completed in the spring of 2024.

My specialty is in treating mood disorders, anxiety, PTSD, and psychotic disorders through a combination of medication management and psychotherapy. My treatment approach is a combination of collaborative and holistic. This allows me to place my focus on the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors that influence well-being, and creating individualized treatment plans that reflect each patient’s unique needs and goals.

I am currently treating patients ages 10 and up. I aim to create a safe, non-judgmental space where patients feel heard, understood, and empowered to take control of their mental health journey. I believe strongly in advocating for mental health awareness and providing education to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health conditions. My goal is to provide compassionate, patient-centered care that promotes healing and resilience. I look forward to working with you!