My name is Larry Eckman and I am licensed as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). I also have licensure as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). As a PMHNP I can prescribe psychotropic or mental health medications for a wide variety of issues and symptoms such as ADHD, bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and others as well. PMHNPs are very similar to psychiatrists in what they do with assessments, diagnosis, and treatment except that psychiatrists attend medical school whereas PMHNPs attend postgraduate nursing school.
Some of my clients have indicated they prefer a PMHNP because they liked the holistic approach to client care. The key is to find a practitioner that resonates with you and listens to your concerns.
Initially I was trained in psychotherapy and that is my bedrock foundation. Along the way, I’ve added psychotropic medication management, cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, humanistic therapy, mindfulness, gratitude, forgiveness, EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) and hypnotherapy tools and techniques. These tools along with others, afford me a greater perspective to work with different clients and different issues.
I believe having the combination licensure as a psychotherapist and a psych nurse practitioner affords me a unique perspective on body, mind, and spirit and gives me tools that some others may not have individually. This allows clients to feel confident that the practitioner can address issues from a wide vantage point competently, accurately, and confidently.
Education
Bachelor’s Degree from Portland State University in Social Science/Psychology
Masters in Social Work from Portland State University
Masters in Nursing from Vanderbilt University
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Training
Basic Certification in Hypnosis
Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapist
Experience
Mental Health Therapist at Non-Profit Community Agency
Mental Health Therapist at In-Patient Hospital Psychiatric Facility
Mental Health Therapist in Private Practice
Registered Nurse at National Non Profit Agency
Registered Nurse Community Health
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at two Non Profit Community Agencies
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in Private Practice
Memberships
CHADD Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder
I have not seen Larry for Therapy, although he does not take my insurance he gave me a lot great insight and direction on how to find help! He is a great a human!
This man is so kind! He returned my call same day, went above and beyond to make sure I knew what to do to get my meds refilled and get the correct care. Very caring, kind, smart soul.
An experience I will never forget. I reached out to Dr. Eckman after looking for someone I thought could really help me analyse what was going on in my life. He took time out of his day to help for no self gain just to help someone. He said things to me I have never heard after looking for answers for years. I feel weight lifted off my shoulders and a path of what to work towards. You can tell when someone loves what they do, it becomes part of who they are. Keep up your work, you are a much needed light in this world.
I first met Larry 15 years ago. I saw every Saturday for three years. He helped me understand why I am the way I am. A feat I don't believe I could have accomplished on my own. He made my life immeasurably better. I still use the strategies we devised when I lose touch.Know if you are reading this you are in a good place to start feeling better.
Larry is fantastic. I've been visiting him for a number of years now and I love the approach he takes to treating ADHD. To be frank, many practitioners in this area tend to be "pill-pushers" and only seeing their doctors 4-6 months, but Larry is much different. With him, your treatment is a collaborative relationship that combines cognitive behavioral therapy with medication when applicable. It's very much a two-way approach that in my opinion, focuses on the patients best interest rather than just getting people in and out.Additionally, he takes a very personal approach to therapy rather than just regurgitating facts. He takes a keen interest in your personality and tailors the conversations with examples relevant to your own life. Highly recommended!
Dr. Eckman has been treating me for about two years now. When I first came to him I was at my wits end; managing my life under the pressures of anxiety and A.D.D. had finally taken its toll on me at the age of 30, and I was sick of it. My only other options involved taking $2000 assessment tests, which only caused me further financial anxiety. Eckman took me in as a patient and treated me like a patient in need and not a guinea pig with endless funding. It was the best scenario I could have asked for and now I've gone from almost dropping out of college to being an honor student attending PSU. I can't say for sure where I'd be now if Eckman had not treated me, but I can say for sure my life would not be as positive as it is now. ADD is fighting against a negative stigma right now and those of us afflicted with this disorder need people like Eckman on our side.
