About Paula Hasenauer, PMHNP
Pediatric Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

My name is Paula Hasenauer, and I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) focusing on children, adolescents and young adults. As a pediatric psychiatric nurse practitioner, my work encompasses a broad spectrum of mental health services that includes the diagnosis, treatment, and management of various mental health conditions and includes the use of both psychopharmacology and psychotherapy.

My educational background includes a bachelor's degree in psychology and a bachelor's degree in science and nursing, both of which I received from Rutgers University. I have a Family Nurse Practitioner master’s degree from Widener University and a post-master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree from the University of New Hampshire.

I have worked both in family medicine and pediatric primary care for over 10 years and although I loved my adult patients, I have always had a passion to work in pediatrics. Over the years I have treated children and adolescents with mental health conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, phobias, PTSD, autism, and OCD. However, as a primary care provider, my scope of practice for diagnosing and treating other psychiatric conditions such as bipolar, eating disorders, conduct disorders, schizophrenia, and personality disorders was limited. I would have to refer them to pediatric psychiatry in which there were very few providers available, and those that did specialize in pediatrics, had long wait times to schedule an appointment. 

Seeing this lack of resources and knowing the long-term negative effects lack of care can have on patients and their families, I decided to obtain my Post-Graduate Degree as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Early mental health care is essential as it lays the foundation for emotional, social, and cognitive growth. Addressing mental health concerns early enables children to develop resilience, cope with stress, and build positive relationships.