Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

BetterMynd & Lavender collaborate to improve mental health resources for college and university students. Sep 22, 2026, 08:43 ET BUFFALO, N.Y., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - BetterMynd, a leading online therapy platform centered on the mental health needs of university and college students, has announced a partnership with Lavender Psychiatry, the largest nurse-led online psychiatry and therapy practice in the United States. Together, the organizations will expand access to flexible, high-quality care by integrating Lavender's medication management services into the BetterMynd therapeutic ecosystem. With one in three students reporting symptoms of moderate anxiety or depression (Healthy Minds, 2025), the demand for accessible care is at an all-time high. This partnership reflects a shared belief that students are best served by adaptable care models built around the individual. By combining their expertise, BetterMynd and Lavender can better respond to the full spectrum of mental health needs seen across the student population. For educational institutions navigating growing demand and increasing complexity in student mental health, the partnership offers a high-quality, scalable solution that is easy to implement. "Our mission is to make getting help easier for every college student, and we believe every student deserves an exceptional experience," said Cody Semrau, Founder and CEO of BetterMynd. "We're excited to partner with Lavender, an organization that shares our mission-driven focus and also puts the students first in all that they do. This ensures students have the most comprehensive resources available while providing institutions with a trusted, scalable model." Accessing psychiatric care can often mean navigating long wait times, referrals between multiple providers, and limited prescribing options; barriers that can be especially challenging for student populations. Lavender removes this friction by providing integrated psychiatric services within BetterMynd's established care pathway, from assessment and prescribing to ongoing medication management, including ADHD treatment and controlled substances when clinically appropriate. With virtual appointments typically available within one week, students can get the support they need without lengthy delays. A network of 150+ board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioners across more than 40 states, supported by customized referral pathways and dedicated administrative support, helps make that access seamless and scalable for BetterMynd's university partners. "We believe in creating a world where feelings are respected and cared for. BetterMynd shares our passion for making kind, effective, high-quality care more accessible," said Pritma Dhillon-Chattha, DNP, MHA, RN, Co-Founder of Lavender. "Mental health journeys are unique and we're reflecting that in our joint adaptable approach to therapy and medication management. By embedding Lavender's online psychiatry services naturally into the BetterMynd community, we're making the student journey more seamless and serving as a true extension of the campus counseling center." The partnership is currently live at select institutions. Both organizations will continue to build and expand access across multiple states and campuses throughout 2026 and beyond. About BetterMynd BetterMynd is a leading online therapy platform designed specifically to meet the mental health needs of college students. BetterMynd supplements and expands on-campus resources by providing personalized care and scheduling flexibility. Serving more than 100 colleges and universities, BetterMynd reaches over 500,000 students through a network of 400+ licensed clinicians. Learn more at www.bettermynd.com. About Lavender Lavender Psychiatry is the largest nurse-owned and operated online psychiatry and therapy office in the U.S. Founded on the principle that care should be kind, collaborative and effective, Lavender provides timely access to high-quality therapy and medication management through 150+ board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioners across 40+ states. The practice also works with partners by integrating select services into existing mental health care ecosystems. Learn more at www.joinlavender.com. SOURCE Lavender

Lavender, the largest nurse-owned telepsychiatry practice in the United States, has appointed two clinical leaders to strengthen quality and operations as it scales. Kara Birch, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC, joins as Director of Clinical Excellence, while Anna Lau, MSN, PMHNP-BC, WHNP-BC, becomes Director of Nursing Operations. Birch, who joined in February 2026, brings over 13 years of clinical strategy experience. She previously designed a quality review system for Headway's network of more than 5,000 clinicians and is a Full Professor at the UCSF School of Nursing. Lau, appointed in late 2025, oversees more than 140 nurse practitioners across the practice. Lavender provides telepsychiatry services in over 40 states.