Pediatric Mental Health Services by Heather Polk

I am a dual-certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health NP with over a decade of experience serving children and families across East Tennessee. My work sits at the intersection of psychiatry and pediatric medicine, where I act as a clinical bridge between developmental-behavioral care and mental health care.

I provide comprehensive evaluation and longitudinal management for children facing autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and complex behavioral presentations. I understand that pediatric mental health care does not exist in isolation; outcomes improve significantly when caregivers are supported, educated, and empowered. My approach integrates parent guidance, behavioral strategy development, and systems navigation alongside direct psychiatric care.

My foundation in pediatric primary care and newborn medicine has reinforced my belief that early identification and whole-family intervention shape long-term outcomes. Consequently, I have broadened my education to expand my practice across the lifespan, ensuring continuity for my existing pediatric patients as they transition into adulthood and addressing a critical gap I have frequently observed: the fragmentation of care when patients “age out” of pediatric systems.

Many of the children and families I serve have ongoing psychiatric needs that do not resolve at age 18. Transitions to adult care are often accompanied by the loss of therapeutic relationships, differing care models, and limited availability of clinicians who are equipped to manage neurodevelopmental conditions in adults. I am dedicated to providing developmentally informed psychiatric care that supports patients through these transitions, preserving the continuity, trust, and clinical insight that I have built over years of care.

Moreover, working with adults allows me to directly support caregivers—many of whom encounter their own mental health challenges while raising children with complex needs. Treating both individuals within the family system enhances outcomes, bolsters stability at home, and aligns with my broader philosophy of family-centered care.

My vision is to create a cohesive care model that addresses the needs of patients within the context of their entire family and support system, recognizing that sustainable mental health begins at home. I welcome collaboration with clinicians, healthcare leaders, and community partners who are committed to advancing behavioral and psychiatric care throughout the Southeast and beyond.