Janine Michaelson, PMHNP-BC (she/her)

Hi, I’m Janine, a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Integra Mental Health. Here are a few things that inform how I practice:

  • LGBTQIA+ affirming, queer-identified, & 4+ years professional experience specializing with trans/gender-expansive communities

  • I’m committed to a neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed approach to care, because I believe it creates a safe and equitable space that is essential for your healing

  • You’re the expert on you, and it’s important for me to spend far more time listening than talking

  • If you have a therapist, I’ll want to coordinate and get their insights—they know you better than I do, and I’ll value their input to help me take excellent care of you

  • Medication is an option—but it’s not the only option, and I’ll collaborate with you on precise, targeted approaches to your care.

Where I’ll do my best work with you:

  • Optimizing a medication regimen you’ve been on for a while, but you suspect it’s too much, not right, and you’re not sure whether it’s even helping

  • Working integratively with other medical conditions, especially chronic pain, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and diabetes.

  • Working with “treatment resistant” mood, anxiety, or executive functioning challenges, because all that really means is that someone hasn’t found the treatment that doesn’t fail YOU.

  • 1999-2005

    After earning my B.A. in Economics from the College of the Holy Cross in 1999, I embarked on a career as an Active Duty Ordnance Officer in the United States Army, achieving the rank of Captain/O3. Following my service, I pursued my passion for nursing, culminating in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Maryland School of Nursing in 2005.

    2005-2008

    I began my nursing career at Kennedy Krieger Institute on the Neurobehavioral Unit, where I honed my skills in psychiatric care. From there, I transitioned to Sheppard Pratt Ellicott City, working as a Registered Nurse on the Co-occurring Unit. This experience solidified my interest in psychiatric nursing and propelled me towards advanced studies.

    2008-2009

    During my master's program at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, I served as a Research Assistant on projects investigating the role of advanced practice nurses on health outcomes in rural areas. This period was instrumental in developing my research skills as well as my deep understanding for the role of healthcare access on patient outcomes.

    2009-2011

    I graduated with a Masters in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program and a Post-Masters Certificate in Teaching in Nursing and Health Professions in 2009. I immediately began contributing as a Teaching Assistant and as a Nurse Psychotherapist at University of Maryland Medical School’s Outpatient Child Psychiatry department.

    2010-2014

    My career as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner began at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and White Marsh Psychiatric Associates. During this period, I was also a study team member for the IMPACT trial under Gloria Reeves, MD. I simultaneously embraced the role of a Clinical Instructor at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, because I am committed to paying forward what was given to me during my training.

    2014-2020

    My journey continued at Manbach PC in Towson, MD, as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Here, I integrated my extensive clinical and teaching experiences to provide comprehensive psychiatric care.

    2020-2024

    I served as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at Aspire Wellness Center and Chase Brexton Health Care, the latter of which offered me the opportunity to learn best practices for trans-affirming psychiatry. I joined Integra at the end of 2023, and am now fully committed to building my integrative psychiatry skill set, furthering my work with the trans/gender-expansive community, and practicing in accordance with shared values of holistic, collaborative and high-quality care.

  • In my free time, I practice Tai Chi Quan. I’ve been practice for 12 years, and I’ve earned my 1st Tuan (equivalent to a black belt) in Chinese Martial Arts.

    I am planning to begin formal studies in Chinese medicine traditions, having seen the benefits of Eastern healing traditions in my own life through my engagement with martial arts. I also am studying Chinese, and have conversational fluency in Mandarin.

    In my free time, I love to hike, do yoga, read, and spend time with my dogs (who may interrupt a telehealth appointment or two).