Barbara Conway, ARNP
Meet Barbara Conway, ARNP
Barbara is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She is licensed to prescribe medications for any mental health condition, the same as a mental health psychiatrist. Whether you have depression, anxiety, PTSD, or another issue, Barbara can help you. She prescribes medications for individuals 18 years old and older.
Barbara completed her Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) at Allen College of Nursing, one of the top nursing programs in the nation. She gained extensive experience treating PTSD, anxiety, and depression at the VA Hospital in Iowa City, where she has worked for over a decade.
In addition to her expertise in the psychiatric field, Barbara has worked in emergency medicine and sexual assault treatment.
Barbara enjoys spending time with her children and serving as a volunteer paramedic in her local community.
Location: North Liberty/Telehealth
Insurance: BCBS, Medicare, Private Pay
Issues I Can Help You With
- Trauma & PTSD
- Depression
- Anxiety, Panic, Stress
- Anger, Irritability
- Alcohol Use Problems
- Substance Use Problems
- Dual Diagnosis
- ADHD, Attention Issues
- Bipolar Disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Insomnia, Sleep Problems
- Suicidal Ideation, Hopelessness, Helplessness
My Style of Prescribing
I take a collaborative and holistic approach to mental health medication management. I am passionate about research and dedicated to providing cutting-edge psychiatric care. I want to ensure that you are confident and empowered as we decide what medications can best help you.
The Prescription Process
In our first appointment, I will complete a thorough mental health history. My goal is to better understand your symptoms and challenges. I’ll discuss treatment options and, if necessary, order lab work to rule out a medical condition causing your symptoms.
If you have medications and are doing well, you can continue on them. If not, we can re-evaluate your prescriptions and decide what changes might be most helpful. If you start a new medication, you will likely come back to see me in two to four weeks.
Commonly Asked Questions
- Are you a mental health psychiatrist? I am a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse-Practitioner and I can write prescriptions. I do not need a psychiatrist or a doctor to approve my prescriptions. To get a prescription, you only have to meet with me.
- Do I need a referral from my primary care doctor? No, a referral is not required. If your insurance covers mental health services (almost all do), it will cover your appointment. If you have a deductible, there will be out-of-pocket costs. If unsure, it’s best to call the number on your insurance card before scheduling.
- Do you only see clients for prescriptions? Yes, if you want psychotherapy, I can refer you to one of our therapists. However, along with prescribing you medication, I’ll also talk about lifestyle changes, offer feedback, and give very brief therapeutic interventions to further your progress.
- Do you prescribe ADHD medications? Yes, I’ll need to be sure you meet the criteria for ADHD. I use the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Symptom Checklist as well as the DSM-5 criteria to diagnose ADHD. If you are uncertain about your diagnosis, you can also see one of our therapists to evaluate you for ADHD.
- Am I obligated to take medication if I see you? No, you can meet with me and we can discuss medication options, potential side effects, and other considerations.
- Do you prescribe opioids? No.
- What are the main side effects you see with medication? Possible weight gain, sexual side effects, dry mouth, and indigestion. Side effects can often improve over time. I’ll discuss these with you and we’ll monitor your side effects to make sure they are manageable and well worth the improvements in your symptoms.
- Will my improvements go away if I stop medication? If you experience benefits from medication and stop after a few months, it’s possible some of those improvements will go away. It can take several weeks to see the full benefits of medication. Depending on the condition, short-term use of medication will not result in long-term benefits.
