We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Linda Gettinger-Dinner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Linda, what do you attribute your success to?
Effective Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) employ empathy, which is the ability to be sensitive to and share in the feelings of another. It means understanding another person’s condition from their perspective. As such, I have been successful in being astute at sensing what other people are thinking and feeling. In relating to my clients, I have the innate ability to show warmth and acceptance, empathy, and focus on others’ well-being. Without a doubt, it is key to have a strong sense of empathy to be a successful psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner. When working with patients in therapy, you must be compassionate and understanding, as a mental health diagnosis can be a source of anxiety. Patients appreciate a kind, compassionate provider as they seek out treatment. You may have to go above and beyond your listed responsibilities to ensure patients receive the best care possible while at your practice. Empathy is a key characteristic of a successful nurse practitioner. It allows us to feel what our patients are feeling and respond in a manner consistent with someone who genuinely cares about their well-being. Empathy is a powerful quality that enables us to be compassionate, kind, and authentic. My success also comes with the necessary skills to assess, diagnose, and treat illness by prescribing medicine, ordering and interpreting laboratory and imaging tests, conducting patient counseling, and promoting overall patient health to enhance clinical outcomes.

What should our readers know about your business?
Serving in healthcare for over 30 years, helped me to truly understand not only the physical needs of those in my care, but the individual emotional needs, as well. I was gifted with the capacity to empathize with the patient and family in ways that are most effective and humane. Relating to the emotional pain that a person experiences is life-changing. Being there in the moment, reassures the person that they are not alone, and that care and support is being provided unconditionally. After all, our physical wellness is directly correlated with the integrity of our thoughts and feelings. Reaching the patient at a deeper, emotional level, facilitates the healing process. Thus, 22 years ago, I was certain that I wanted to commit to extensive, formal training in psychiatric mental health, and begin a career as a psychotherapist. Being mentally flexible, seeing things from other peoples’ perspectives, and helping them build on their own culture, ideals, and resources is key in empowering rather than controlling the outcome of events. Fortunately, there have not been any significant obstacles that entered my path in providing efficient and high quality psychiatric mental health services. I work with patients who are in drug/alcohol recovery. In addition, I see patients with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and many other mental health issues. More recently, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, I am seeing new and existing patients via telemedicine, many who suffer from trauma as front-line healthcare providers or otherwise. It is so gratifying to know that I can be there to help during these very difficult times. I find the work endlessly enjoyable and rewarding, not just because of the ideals of helping, but I really like the work itself, I look forward to every new patient as well as to every celebratory send-off of someone who has completed work with me. I enjoy a challenge, I enjoy learning about the aspects of brain functioning and habit change and relationship complexities that we all share, and I enjoy seeing the countless ways that each person’s mind, body, history, emotions, thoughts, and web of relationships and roles is unique. I am a firm believer in continuing education to enhance my expertise and wisdom over time, and reinvent my style of therapy for every new patient, for each new challenge we decide to work on, and sometimes for each session. Prescribing psychotropic medication when needed is an area of my practice that is carefully and skillfully executed. I offer psychiatric evaluation and psychotherapeutic services for a variety of conditions. Some conditions treated are as follows: anxiety, panic disorder, depression, bipolar, grief, medication management, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, drug/alcohol recovery, and schizophrenia. I take pride in the way I treat patients as human beings who have individual needs. I spend a great amount of time getting to know the individual and expressing empathy while providing expert care.


Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
When a friend visits from out-of-town, a ride to the eastside of town to Las Olas Boulevard, is a must to-do, where it stretches from downtown Fort Lauderdale along New River to Las Olas Beach, overlooking the mansions and yachts of the Intercoastal Waterway. There are plenty of tourist attractions and things to do along the boulevard, from touring museums and art galleries to shopping at more than 100 specialty boutiques. This is a popular spot for dining as well, filled with waterside cafes and bistros. Another great way to explore the area is by boat, from a simple gondola tour or by chartering your own yacht for the day.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am fortunate to have had very nurturing parents when growing up. My ability to show empathy and concern for others are traits that I saw my parents exhibit towards myself and others. Empathy was a value held high within our family unit. Early on, I was able to sense that caring and understanding of others were the key components in any human interaction. My parents deserve the credit and recognition for authentically displaying such noble behaviors. The true blessing lies in the fact that the genuine empathy my parents had for others has always been successfully realized, valued, and practiced in all my daily encounters, both personally and professionally.

Website: www.psychiatricspecialtycenter.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-gettinger-8712191a7/