Jennifer Collins, PA-C
Psychiatric Physician Assistant
San Pedro
Providing Psychiatric Medication Evaluations & Medication Management
for Adults & Children Age 6 and Older
Office Visits As Well As Telemedicine
My Approach to Treatment
I have always had an interest in human behavior and how past experiences can shape current thought patterns. Initially my focus was on acting, understanding motivation behind action, and creating a back-story specific to a character that helped explain current interactions with others in different situations. But after having first hand knowledge about how mental illness can disrupt family dynamics and functioning, I shifted my focus to medical studies.
In 2012 I graduated with a Master’s of Science degree in Physician Assistant studies, and have worked in a variety of healthcare settings, including private practice Family Medicine, care for homeless populations, severely and persistently mentally ill, residential care centers, with children, adult and geriatric populations.
With a diverse background, I have in- depth knowledge of medical conditions that may mimic anxiety, depression, insomnia and do a thorough evaluation to rule out underlying medical issues. Care is administered with medication management, laboratory testing and outside office referrals for medical concerns; as well as mental health assistance. I am an advocate for my patients while providing education to help create active participation in healthcare decisions. There is a team approach for holistic patient care and I often will coordinate treatment with Providers at Recovery , Inc. And Positive Counseling Center as well as Mental Health Providers in the community. I provide psychiatric medications as needed as well as education for both children and adults.
Psychiatric Conditions I treat:
- Depression (Major Depression, Postpartum Depression)
- Anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder)
- Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity disorder
- Substance-related disorders
- Adjustment and Life cycle disorders
- Autism Spectrum disorders
- Conduct disorder
- Insomnia, sleep disorders
- Psychosis
- Bipolar Disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Personality disorders
- Mood disorders
- Eating disorders
- Sexual and gender identity disorders
- Somatoform and factitious disorders
- Dissociative disorders
- Impulse control disorder
(Not all conditions are listed)
Children & Adolescents
Treatment of children and adolescents ages 6 and older
Using a developmental perspective, trained to treat patients throughout the life cycle
Treat children in the context of their families, school, and communities
Integrating biomedical, psychological, and social perspectives
Initial evaluation is either 1.5 hours or 2 appointments of 45 minutes in length to discuss concerns with family and child and elicit feedback regarding expectations of treatment and create individualized plan to best meet the goals of family and patient
Provide Office Visits and Telemedicine
Professional Experience:
Certified Family Medicine – Psychiatry
Worked in Family Practice and Psychiatry as a practitioner with many same day appointments due to urgent conditions, providing physical examinations, and management of chronic diseases.
What is a Physician Assistant?
A Physician Assistant has completed an accredited graduate level program averaging 27 months or 6 semesters in length as compared to a Medical Doctor who has completed 8 semesters of graduate level courses. PAs are trained in medical and behavioral sciences and complete rotations in internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, and geriatric medicine.
Following graduation from an accredited PA program, they pass a national certification exam, and to maintain certification must document continuous study and pass a recertification exam every 6-10 years.
To complete a Certification of Added Qualification in Psychiatry a Physician Assistant must demonstrate they have advanced knowledge and experience in Psychiatry, along with providing attestation from a supervising physician who works in the specialty and is familiar with the physician assistant’s practice and experience. PAs must earn a minimum of 150 credits of Category 1 CME focused on psychiatry practice and have at least 2,000 hours of experience working as a PA in that specialty in order to qualify to take the CAQ exam.
There are approximately 131,00 certified Physician Assistants as of December 31, 2018. Of these 1.5% focus in Psychiatry or 1,470, and their expertise is on psychiatric interviewing, differential diagnosis, treatment plan, psychiatric pharmacology, treatment implementation/intervention, and crisis intervention/risk management.
Education
Western University of Health Sciences, Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Ithaca College, Bachelor of Arts in Drama
License and Certifications:
- National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistant (NCCPA)
- California PA license # 22504
- DEA certification
- Controlled Substances certification
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- HIPAA Certificate
- California Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B)
- Red Cross CPR/First Aid Instructor
- American Heart Association BLS Instructor
Professional Organization Affiliations:
California Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA)
American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
“Someone once told me that education is the key to success. I use not only my education, but my personal and professional knowledge, skills and experiences in my sessions to better meet my client’s needs. Asking for help is the first educated step you will take on our journey together to explore different treatment options in order to find one that works best for you.”
