Catherine Mwaura

Dedicated Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with expertise in comprehensive psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, psychopharmacology, and evidence-based treatment across the lifespan. Skilled in individualized care planning, clinical decision-making, therapeutic communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Committed to compassionate, patient-centered care, mental health advocacy, stigma reduction, and improved patient outcomes.

PMHNP-APRN - BRIGHT HOPE MENTAL HEALTHCARE GROUP - Houston, TX

(2025)

• Conduct comprehensive outpatient and Telehealth psychiatric initial evaluations, including psychiatric and medical histories, mental status examinations, psychosocial assessments, risk assessments, and evaluation of current symptoms and functional status.
• Establish and refine differential diagnoses and individualized, evidence-based treatment plans based on clinical findings, patient needs, and established standards of psychiatric care.
• Provide medication management, and treatment-plan modifications to optimize therapeutic outcomes, monitor treatment response, and address adverse effects.
• Assess patients for suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, behavioral disturbances, and other acute psychiatric concerns; implement appropriate risk-reduction measures and crisis intervention strategies.
• Provide crisis intervention and stabilization for individuals experiencing acute psychological distress, psychiatric decompensation, or behavioral emergencies, with appropriate escalation of care when indicated.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive clinical documentation, including psychiatric evaluations, diagnoses, treatment plans, medication changes, progress notes, and follow-up recommendations.
• Educate patients and families regarding psychiatric diagnoses, medication adherence, potential side effects, treatment options, symptom management, and relapse-prevention strategies.

PMHNP-APRN- Geriatric Psychiatry - SUPPORTIVE CARE OF TEXAS - Houston, TX

(2025 - 2026)

• Delivered comprehensive psychiatric consultations, initial diagnostic evaluations, follow-up assessments, and psychotropic medication management for older adults residing in skilled nursing facilities.
• Facilitated interdisciplinary Gradual Dose Reduction (GDR) reviews with nursing staff and social workers to promote appropriate psychotropic medication use, monitor patient stability, and support regulatory compliance while minimizing the risk of psychiatric symptom recurrence.
• Evaluated and managed psychiatric symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, mood disorders, psychosis, cognitive impairment, dementia-related behavioral disturbances, and other mental health conditions, as clinically indicated.
• Developed individualized, evidence-based psychiatric treatment plans addressing symptom control, functional status, quality of life, and the unique medical and psychosocial needs of geriatric patients.
• Monitored medication effectiveness, tolerability, potential adverse effects, drug interactions, and clinically significant changes in mental status, with particular attention to age-related risks and polypharmacy.
• Assessed acute psychiatric and behavioral changes, identified safety concerns, and implemented appropriate interventions.
• Collaborated with nursing staff, social workers, primary care providers, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to coordinate psychiatric care, communicate treatment recommendations, and establish appropriate follow-up plans.
• Recommended and supported individualized, non-pharmacological behavioral interventions and environmental modifications to address agitation, mood symptoms, and other behavioral concerns when appropriate.
• Promoted safe and appropriate psychotropic medication use through ongoing clinical monitoring and periodic review of treatment effectiveness, tolerability, and continued clinical indication.
• Maintained timely, accurate, and compliant clinical documentation of psychiatric assessments, diagnoses, medication management, treatment recommendations, and patient progress.

Complex Case Manager - COMMUNITY HEALTH CHOICE - Houston, TX

(2024)

• Conduct comprehensive member assessments to evaluate behavioral health needs, medical comorbidities, functional status, and psychosocial factors, identifying care gaps and opportunities to improve health outcomes.
• Develop and coordinate individualized, evidence-based care plans and therapeutic interventions for members with chronic illnesses, complex medical conditions, and behavioral health disorders to optimize clinical outcomes and promote continuity of care.
• Review, evaluate, and process healthcare service authorization requests for medical necessity, clinical appropriateness, completeness, and compliance with established clinical criteria, organizational policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with utilization management, high-risk perinatal, and disease management teams to coordinate services, facilitate timely interventions, address barriers to care, and support integrated, high-quality, cost-effective healthcare delivery.

Service Coordinator-RN - AMERIGROUP - WELLPOINT - Houston, TX

(2022 - 2024)

• Managed a caseload of 60 patients with behavioral health and psychiatric disorders, promoting treatment adherence, continuity of care, and timely follow-up, with a reported 95% adherence rate to treatment and follow-up appointments.
• Delivered individualized, evidence-based patient education on psychiatric treatment, medication adherence, symptom management, and follow-up care, contributing to a reported 20% improvement in health outcomes and psychological well-being.
• Coordinated integrated care for patients with behavioral health disorders and chronic medical conditions, facilitating timely access to healthcare services and reducing missed follow-up appointments.
• Established and streamlined referral pathways with community-based mental health organizations to improve access to affordable behavioral health services for patients with limited financial resources, increasing access by a reported 25%.
• Provided comprehensive education on mental health, chronic disease management, treatment adherence, and available support resources, empowering patients to participate actively in shared decision-making and self-management, with a reported 15% improvement in patient self-advocacy.

MDCP Service Coordinator-RN - Texas Children’s Health plan - Houston, TX

(2016 - 2022)

• Conducted comprehensive clinical and functional assessments, developed individualized care plans, and managed annual Medically Dependent Children Program (MDCP) waiver budgets to support medical necessity, continuity of care, and access to appropriate, high-quality healthcare services.
• Trained and provided guidance to MDCP nursing staff on service authorization requirements, clinical documentation standards, and compliance with program guidelines to promote accurate submissions, operational efficiency, and quality service delivery.
• Coordinated and monitored multidisciplinary services, including private duty nursing, respite care, speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and durable medical equipment (DME), to ensure alignment with members’ assessed needs, authorized services, and individualized care plans.
• Collaborated with members’ families, healthcare providers, and service agencies to facilitate service coordination, address gaps in care, and promote timely access to medically necessary home- and community-based services.

RN Hospice Case Manager - MEMORIAL HERMANN HOSPITAL - Houston, TX

(2012 - 2016)

• Conducted hospice consultation and evaluation visits in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other care settings to assess eligibility, determine patient and family needs, facilitate timely hospice referrals, and support transitions to comfort-focused care.
• Coordinated and oversaw hospice clinical operations across the continuum of care, promoting adherence to clinical standards, regulatory requirements, individualized plans of care, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Provided comprehensive end-of-life nursing care, including assessment and management of pain and other distressing symptoms, implementation of comfort-focused interventions, and ongoing evaluation of patient responses to promote dignity and quality of life.
• Precepted and mentored field nurses and supervised certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in home hospice settings, reinforcing clinical competency, adherence to care plans, prevention, patient safety, a