Psychiatric nurse practitioner
Getting help shouldn’t feel like a maze. I’ll walk you through it.
Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, or just not feeling yourself, I’m here to help you understand what’s going on and find what works.
Based in Chattanooga. Seeing patients ages 13 and up across Tennessee.
- Board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner
- Twenty years of nursing experience
- Patients ages 13 and up
- Chattanooga office & telehealth across Tennessee
About
About Nathan
I’m a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with twenty years of nursing experience. I also teach mental health nursing and pharmacology to nursing students, and that teaching background carries into everything I do. I want you to understand what’s happening, not just leave with a prescription.
I provide both medication management and psychotherapy. Your situation, your life, and your goals all factor into the decisions we make together. People describe me as approachable, calm, and thorough. I care about getting things right, and I take the time to do that.
Nathan Knappier, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Services
How I Can Help
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Diagnostic Clarification
Collected a stack of diagnoses over years of short appointments? We’ll look at the whole picture and sort out which ones still fit. A right diagnosis is what makes treatment work.
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Medication Management
We choose together, start low, and adjust based on how you feel. The goal is the fewest medications at the lowest doses that keep you well, and a safe plan to stop any you no longer need.
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Psychotherapy
Sometimes you need someone who really listens. Sometimes you want practical skills, like CBT or ACT. We’ll find the right mix.
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ADHD Evaluation
Trouble focusing has many causes, and ADHD is only one. You get a thorough assessment. Objective computerized testing (QbCheck) is another tool I may use when it’s appropriate.
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Laboratory Testing
Labs rule out medical causes and keep treatment safe. I order them at cost, with no markup. You see the exact price upfront and get drawn at a nearby Quest.
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In-Person and Telehealth
Visits at my Chattanooga office, or by telehealth anywhere in Tennessee. If you’re local, I prefer the first visit in person. Follow-ups can be virtual.
Common worries
What people sometimes worry about
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Will I actually be heard?
You should leave feeling understood, not rushed. I take the time to listen and to get the diagnosis right before we decide on anything. A rushed diagnosis or a quick prescription is not how I work.
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What about side effects?
That is a fair concern. Not everyone needs medication, and it is always your decision. If we use it, we start low and aim for the fewest medications at the lowest doses that work.
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Will I be on medication forever?
I understand that concern. Sometimes long-term medication is the best option, depending on your symptoms and diagnosis. But I do not believe in overprescribing.
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Will I feel embarrassed or judged?
That is one of the most common worries I hear, and you do not need to feel embarrassed here. My job is to listen and understand, not to judge.
What Guides My Practice
The goal is to ease your suffering, not just give it a name.
You deserve to understand your diagnosis, your medication, and the reasoning behind both.
Treatment plans work best when we build them together.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can schedule directly.
How does telehealth work?
I use Google Meet. You’ll get a link for your visit, and on a computer it opens in your web browser. On a phone or tablet, download the free Google Meet app first.
To prepare, find a private spot, check your camera, microphone, and internet, and open the link a few minutes early.
Do you see young adults, and what if I’m their parent?
Yes. Young adults book their own visit and give their own consent. Parents are welcome to book a free 10-minute phone consultation to meet me and ask any questions before recommending me. I can share information about a patient’s care only with a signed release. Read more for young adults and parents.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes. I am currently in-network with Aetna, Ascension (SmartHealth), Carelon Behavioral Health, Cigna, Curative, Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NJ, and Independence Blue Cross PA.
What are the self-pay rates?
- Initial Evaluation, 60 min: $225
- Med Management + Brief Therapy, 25 min: $130
- Psychotherapy + Med Management, 50 min: $175
If you’re using insurance, you pay only your plan’s copay, deductible, or coinsurance. I can also provide a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement.
To check your plan, use the Check coverage on Headway button on the New Patients page. You’ll see right away whether I’m in-network and what a visit would cost you.
What should I expect at the first visit?
We’ll spend about an hour going through what’s been going on, your history, and what you’re hoping for. You’ll leave with a plan, not just a follow-up date.
How long are sessions?
Initial evaluations are 60 minutes. Follow-up visits are 25 or 50 minutes, depending on the type of appointment.
Do you do therapy and manage medications?
Yes, I do both. In a therapy-focused visit, I start with a quick check on your medications: how they are working, any side effects, and whether you need refills. Then we move to therapy, where we spend most of our time.
Having both in one place has real benefits. You tell your story once, to one person who knows the whole picture. Your medication and therapy decisions fit together, and you don’t have to keep two providers up to date. It also means fewer appointments to juggle.
It is also up to you. If you already have a therapist you like, that is definitely fine. The key is finding the best fit for your therapy, whether that is me or someone else.
Can you order labs?
Yes. Labs are important in psychiatry, so I charge you exactly what the lab charges, with no markup. You see the exact price upfront. Draws are done at a nearby Quest location.
Do you prescribe controlled substances?
Yes, when clinically appropriate. Controlled substances are closely monitored, including regular checks through the state prescription database and periodic urine drug screens.
Is my information kept confidential?
Yes. What we discuss is protected by federal and state privacy laws. The rare exceptions involve safety, like risk of harm to yourself or others, or suspected abuse of a child or vulnerable adult. I’ll always be upfront with you.
I’m interested. What’s the next step?
Click the button below or give the office a call. My office manager will help you get scheduled.
In-network with
Contact
Get in Touch
Interested in scheduling or have a question? Send a message and we’ll get back to you within 1–2 business days.
Nathan Knappier, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Signal Psychiatric Services, PLLC
110 Somerville Ave, Suite 154
Chattanooga, TN 37405
[email protected]
(423) 414-4916