Finding Psychiatric Care With a Nurse Practitioner in Atlanta: What to Know About “Dr Johnson”
People searching for “Dr Johnson Nurse Practitioner Atlanta Psychiatric” are usually trying to figure out two things:
- Is there a specific psychiatric nurse practitioner named Dr. Johnson in the Atlanta area?
- How do psychiatric nurse practitioners work in Atlanta, and how can you find the right one for your needs?
Because names, staffing, and practice details in private clinics change frequently, it can be difficult to reliably confirm information about any specific clinician just from a brief search phrase. Instead, this guide focuses on how psychiatric nurse practitioners work in Atlanta, how someone with the name “Dr. Johnson” or “Nurse Practitioner Johnson” might fit into that system, and how you can locate, verify, and choose a psychiatric provider locally.
What a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Does in Atlanta
In Georgia, a psychiatric nurse practitioner is typically an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), often called a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).
Many people in Atlanta see a psychiatric nurse practitioner for:
- Mental health evaluations
- Ongoing treatment plans
- Medication management (when appropriate and supervised as required)
- Coordination of care with therapists, primary care doctors, or hospitals
Some psychiatric nurse practitioners use the title “Dr.” because they hold a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or another doctoral degree. This does not make them a physician, but they may legitimately use “Dr.” in academic or professional settings. In a clinical setting, they are still generally practicing as nurse practitioners under Georgia nursing law.
So if you’re searching for “Dr Johnson Nurse Practitioner Atlanta Psychiatric,” you might be looking for:
- A psychiatric nurse practitioner named Johnson who has a doctoral degree, or
- A psychiatric provider named Johnson who is part of a psychiatric or behavioral health clinic in Atlanta.
How Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners Are Licensed in Georgia
To understand and verify any psychiatric nurse practitioner in Atlanta (including someone named Johnson), it helps to know how licensing works.
Key licensing points
- Registered Nurse (RN) license:
They must first be licensed as an RN in Georgia. - Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) status:
They are then recognized as APRNs through the Georgia Board of Nursing. - Specialty certification:
Many hold a national certification such as Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). - Collaborative practice:
In Georgia, nurse practitioners typically practice with a collaborative agreement with a physician, especially for prescribing certain medications.
If you find a listing for “Dr. Johnson, Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric” in Atlanta, you can:
- Confirm that the person is licensed as an RN/APRN in Georgia.
- Check that they are practicing in good standing.
More on how to do that below.
Verifying a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Named Johnson in Atlanta
Because there may be multiple clinicians with the last name Johnson in a metro area as large as Atlanta, it’s important to verify you are looking at the correct person.
1. Use the Georgia Board of Nursing license lookup
You can confirm whether someone named Johnson is a licensed nurse practitioner (APRN) in Georgia by using the Georgia Board of Nursing public license lookup.
Typical steps:
- Go to the Georgia Composite Medical Board / Secretary of State licensing search page.
- Enter last name “Johnson” and filter by:
- Profession: Registered Professional Nurse
- Or category: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
- Narrow by city (Atlanta, Decatur, Marietta, etc.) if that option is available.
- Match:
- Full name
- City of practice
- License status (look for “active” or similar wording)
This will not tell you everything about their psychiatric specialty, but it helps verify that the person is a legitimately licensed nurse practitioner in Georgia.
Where Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners Work in Atlanta
If you are trying to locate any psychiatric nurse practitioner (including someone named Johnson), it helps to know where these clinicians commonly practice in and around Atlanta.
Common practice settings
Outpatient psychiatric clinics and private practices
Many PMHNPs in Atlanta work in independent group practices or mental health clinics in neighborhoods like Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, Sandy Springs, and College Park.Hospital-based psychiatry departments Major hospital systems in metro Atlanta often have psychiatric and behavioral health departments that may include nurse practitioners, such as:
- Grady Memorial Hospital – 80 Jesse Hill Jr Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30303, main line: (404) 616-1000
- Emory University Hospital / Emory Healthcare network – various locations across Atlanta
- Piedmont Atlanta Hospital – 1968 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30309, main line: (404) 605-5000
Community mental health centers Public and community providers sometimes employ psychiatric nurse practitioners to expand access to care.
Telepsychiatry / virtual practices Many providers serving Atlanta residents now offer video visits, which may include PMHNPs licensed in Georgia.
When you see a listing for “Dr. Johnson, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner,” check the practice name and address to see which of these settings they belong to.
How to Find a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (Including Johnson) in Atlanta
Whether you have a specific name in mind or you’re starting from scratch, here are practical steps to find psychiatric nurse practitioner care in Atlanta.
1. Start with your insurance directory
If you have health insurance:
- Look up “Behavioral Health,” “Mental Health,” or “Psychiatry” in your plan’s online directory.
- Filter by:
- Location: Atlanta, GA (or your ZIP code)
- Provider type: Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health, or Psychiatry
- Look for clinicians whose last name is Johnson if that’s your priority, or simply search by specialty.
This helps you focus on providers who are in-network, which can lower your out-of-pocket costs.
2. Contact large Atlanta mental health clinics
Many multi-clinician practices in Atlanta employ both psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners. When you call:
- Ask, “Do you have a psychiatric nurse practitioner named Johnson?”
- If not, you can still ask whether they have any PMHNPs taking new patients.
- Clarify whether they provide adult, child/adolescent, or geriatric psychiatric services.
3. Use professional and public directories
Provider directories (including some run by professional mental health organizations) often allow you to:
- Filter by location: Atlanta or surrounding suburbs
- Filter by provider type: Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner / PMHNP
- Sort by distance, specialty focus, and insurance accepted
If you specifically want to find someone named Johnson:
- Use the name search field (Last name: Johnson).
- Double-check that the practice address is accessible from your home or workplace (e.g., near Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or the Perimeter).
What to Ask When You Call a Psychiatric Practice in Atlanta
If you think you’ve found “Dr Johnson Nurse Practitioner Atlanta Psychiatric” or a similar provider, it helps to ask a short list of questions before scheduling.
Helpful questions to ask
Licensing and role
- “Are you an APRN / Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner licensed in Georgia?”
- “Do you practice under a collaborative physician?”
Services offered
- “Do you provide initial psychiatric evaluations as well as ongoing medication management?”
- “Do you see adults, children, or both?”
Logistics
- “What is your office location in Atlanta or the metro area?”
- “Do you offer telehealth visits for Atlanta residents?”
- “Which insurance plans do you accept, or do you offer self-pay options?”
Scheduling and availability
- “Are you accepting new patients right now?”
- “What is the approximate wait time for a first appointment?”
These questions apply whether the clinician is named Johnson or any other name and can help you decide if the practice is a realistic option for you.
Quick Reference: Steps to Verify and Connect With a Psychiatric NP in Atlanta
Below is a simple overview of how to move from a general search (“Dr Johnson Nurse Practitioner Atlanta Psychiatric”) to a verified appointment.
| Step | What to Do | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Search by name + “psychiatric nurse practitioner” + “Atlanta” | Identifies possible clinics and locations where a Johnson may practice. |
| 2 | Check the practice website or call the office | Confirms whether a psychiatric NP named Johnson is currently on staff. |
| 3 | Use the Georgia Board of Nursing license lookup | Verifies that the clinician is licensed as an RN/APRN in Georgia and in good standing. |
| 4 | Verify insurance acceptance | Avoids surprise costs and helps plan payments. |
| 5 | Ask about telehealth and office location | Ensures the logistics (travel, parking, virtual care) work for your situation in Atlanta. |
| 6 | Schedule an initial evaluation | Starts the process of developing an individualized treatment plan with the provider. |
Local Atlanta Resources If You Can’t Find a Specific “Dr Johnson”
If you cannot locate the exact “Dr Johnson” you had in mind, you still have several strong options for psychiatric help in Atlanta.
1. Fulton County and DeKalb County behavioral health services
For residents of the City of Atlanta and nearby areas:
Fulton County Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities
Main office (Adamsville Regional Health Center):
3700 Martin Luther King Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30331
Main line (county information): (404) 613-1205DeKalb Community Service Board (serving parts of the east metro area)
Clifton Springs Mental Health Center:
3110 Clifton Springs Rd, Decatur, GA 30034
Central scheduling (commonly listed): (404) 892-4646
These agencies can help connect you with psychiatric providers, which may include nurse practitioners.
2. Academic medical centers in Atlanta
Teaching hospitals often have psychiatry departments with multiple types of providers:
- Emory University School of Medicine – Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (multiple locations)
- Grady Health System – Behavioral Health Services, often working in close partnership with Emory.
These systems may be especially helpful if you need complex care, have co-occurring medical conditions, or need inpatient or intensive outpatient services.
3. Crisis and urgent mental health support
If your concern is urgent or you are worried about immediate safety in Atlanta:
Georgia statewide crisis & access line (GCAL): 1-800-715-4225
Available 24/7 throughout Georgia for mental health and substance use crises.In an emergency, you can go to the nearest emergency department, such as:
- Grady Memorial Hospital Emergency Department – 80 Jesse Hill Jr Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
- Other major hospital EDs within Atlanta city limits and surrounding suburbs.
These resources are designed for crisis support rather than long-term psychiatric management, but they can help stabilize a situation and often connect you to ongoing outpatient care.
How to Decide If a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in Atlanta Is a Good Fit
Once you’ve verified licensing and logistics, your comfort with the provider matters. Many Atlanta residents consider:
- Communication style: Do you feel listened to and taken seriously?
- Clarity: Are your options, potential risks, and next steps explained in understandable terms?
- Accessibility: Is the location or telehealth format practical for your daily life in Atlanta (traffic, MARTA access, work schedule)?
- Cultural fit: Atlanta is a diverse city. Some people look for providers experienced with specific communities (for example, Black mental health, LGBTQ+ populations, or faith-informed approaches).
You can usually get a good sense of these factors during the first one or two visits, whether the provider is Johnson or another psychiatric nurse practitioner.
In summary, the phrase “Dr Johnson Nurse Practitioner Atlanta Psychiatric” points toward a psychiatric nurse practitioner—likely with a doctoral nursing degree—who practices or has practiced in the Atlanta area. Because specific individual details can change, the most reliable approach is to:
- Search by name and specialty,
- Verify licensing through the Georgia Board of Nursing,
- Confirm active status and practice location by calling the clinic, and
- Use Atlanta-area resources and directories to find alternative psychiatric nurse practitioners if you can’t locate that exact name.
Following these steps will help you find safe, qualified psychiatric care in and around Atlanta, Georgia, whether you connect with a Dr. Johnson or another well-matched provider.
