Chanel Thomas DNP,

PMHNP-BC/FNP-BC

I'm Chanel Thomas— a dog mom, anime and horror movie fan, and a dual board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in both psychiatric mental health and family practice. My unique identity as a Black, queer, and neurodivergent professional allows me to offer a deeply personal and diverse perspective in the mental health and wellness field.

Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, my upbringing in an intergenerational household—alongside my mother, sister, grandparents, and great-grandparents—not only nurtured a sense of community and family but also exposed me to the complexities of mental illness early on, as many individuals in my family struggle with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism coupled with distrust of the health care field. This environment, combined with witnessing the real-world effects of mental health struggles, ignited my passion for psychiatric nursing. It felt like a natural calling, akin to caring for my own family.

I had a late diagnosis of ADHD after seeking care well into my adulthood once what I thought was my “personality” started truly impacting my professional and personal life. My personal experiences with ADHD and navigating a healthcare system that often felt impersonal, racist, and daunting have deeply influenced my approach to care. I strive to create a therapeutic space that respects individual hesitations towards traditional medication and/or therapy and upholds an individual’s cultural identity while prioritizing patient-centered solutions.

I am here to be a long term partner and advocate in supporting you on your journey to wellness, offering a caring, comprehensive approach that respects your unique story.

I look forward to working with you towards embarking on a path to better mental health and wellness!

Credentials

  • BSN/BA from Belmont University- Nashville, TN

  • MSN from Middle Tennessee State University- Murfreesboro, TN

  • DNP from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center- Memphis, TN

  • Dual Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner

  • Completed Community-Based Health Nurse Practitioner Residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center— Nashville, TN

  • Completed Fellowship in Integrative Psychiatry at Integrative Psychiatry Institute- Boulder, Colorado

  • BIPOC Brainspotting Phase 1 trained

  • Extensive experience in inpatient psychiatric settings

Meet the pups!

Blue -4 years old

-loving, spoiled, loyal, stubborn

Magenta- 4 years old

-loving, destructive, demanding, gentle

QUOTE

“It’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to ask for help. And it’s okay to receive help.”

- Taraji P. Henson