Allison Gajownik, APRN-FPA
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Masters of Science
Advanced Practicing Registered Nurse, Full Practice Authority To make an appointment with Allison, please call 630-273-7115 .
Specializes in:Ages Service: Teens, Adults |
Professional Experience
I received my bachelor of science (nursing) from Purdue University, my masters of Science (Family Nurse Practitioner) from Olivet Nazarene University, and my Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate from Northern Kentucky University. During my education I completed clinical experience in emergency and family medicine as well as pediatric and adult psychiatric mental health. While in clinical for psychiatric mental health I treated patients with anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, ADHD and schizophrenia. My educational experience included both medication management and psychotherapy.
Specializations
I currently diagnose and treat anxiety disorders, OCD, depression and mood disorders, bipolar disorder, and ADHD. I utilize both medication and therapy techniques including CBT, interpersonal therapy, and existential therapy. Through these therapy techniques I work with patients to find meaning and purpose in life, identify interpersonal issues that may be creating distress, and identify negative or maladaptive thought patterns. I am continuously studying the latest research to offer up to date and evidence-based care. I strive to work with each patient to figure out what works for them individually as all patients are unique.
For patients that are currently seeing a therapist, I collaborate with your therapist and reinforce what they are working on with you. Initially and for all medication changes I like to see patients every 2-4 weeks until stable and then every 3-6 months going forward.
For patients that are currently seeing a therapist, I collaborate with your therapist and reinforce what they are working on with you. Initially and for all medication changes I like to see patients every 2-4 weeks until stable and then every 3-6 months going forward.
About Me
What are your professional and personal values?
I value compassion, equality, understanding, honesty, and respect. I believe that these are essential to having a good therapeutic relationship.
What led you to decide that you wanted to be a therapist?
My background is in nursing, and I have worked in many nursing roles over the years. Prior to specializing in mental health, I was a family nurse practitioner and provided primary care to people of all ages. I began to see more and more mental health concerns in my patients and worked on learning ways to help them. I returned to school to obtain my master’s in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and transitioned into providing psychiatric care in 2022.
What are some of your favorite self-care activities?
My favorite self-care activities are going for walks and yoga. If I really need to ground myself, I put headphones in and clean the house. I also enjoy lots of hobbies including kayaking, swimming, working on projects around the house and calligraphy.
What is your favorite quote/some of your favorite quotes?
My favorite quote is by Nkosi Johnson, “Do all that you can, with all that you have, in the time that you have, in the place where you are”. Nkosi Johnson was born HIV positive in South Africa. He was not allowed to attend public school due to having HIV which led to a new law banning discrimination based on medical status. He was a keynote speaker at age 11 at an international AIDS conference. At that speech he implored people to, “Care for us and accept us – we are all human beings. We are normal. We have hands. We have feet. We can walk, we can talk, we have needs just like everyone else – don't be afraid of us – we are all the same!”.
What’s the most profound, meaningful, or interesting thing you’ve learned or experienced as a mental health professional? Why do you love being a mental health professional?
The most profound thing that I have learned as a mental health professional is exactly what Nkosi Johnson stated in his speech. We are all the same. We all have struggles, we all have families, we all want to feel as good as we can, we all need a little help sometimes.
I value compassion, equality, understanding, honesty, and respect. I believe that these are essential to having a good therapeutic relationship.
What led you to decide that you wanted to be a therapist?
My background is in nursing, and I have worked in many nursing roles over the years. Prior to specializing in mental health, I was a family nurse practitioner and provided primary care to people of all ages. I began to see more and more mental health concerns in my patients and worked on learning ways to help them. I returned to school to obtain my master’s in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and transitioned into providing psychiatric care in 2022.
What are some of your favorite self-care activities?
My favorite self-care activities are going for walks and yoga. If I really need to ground myself, I put headphones in and clean the house. I also enjoy lots of hobbies including kayaking, swimming, working on projects around the house and calligraphy.
What is your favorite quote/some of your favorite quotes?
My favorite quote is by Nkosi Johnson, “Do all that you can, with all that you have, in the time that you have, in the place where you are”. Nkosi Johnson was born HIV positive in South Africa. He was not allowed to attend public school due to having HIV which led to a new law banning discrimination based on medical status. He was a keynote speaker at age 11 at an international AIDS conference. At that speech he implored people to, “Care for us and accept us – we are all human beings. We are normal. We have hands. We have feet. We can walk, we can talk, we have needs just like everyone else – don't be afraid of us – we are all the same!”.
What’s the most profound, meaningful, or interesting thing you’ve learned or experienced as a mental health professional? Why do you love being a mental health professional?
The most profound thing that I have learned as a mental health professional is exactly what Nkosi Johnson stated in his speech. We are all the same. We all have struggles, we all have families, we all want to feel as good as we can, we all need a little help sometimes.
