Jonathan Frank, MSN PMHNP-BC
Gay, chill (on the outside), and running on a delicate cocktail of anxiety and ADHD—so yes, I will forget what I was saying mid-sentence, but I’ll remember a random fact about peppers forever. Drummer by trade and/or compulsion, because hitting things rhythmically is cheaper than therapy (except I also believe in therapy… thanks to my dogs). I play in a metal band called Hill Giant Witch.
Speaking of dogs: proud servant to two huskies who are therapy dogs, which means they calm other people while screaming at ghosts and sirens at home. I grow hot peppers—lots of them—because I enjoy pain, flavor, and confusing my digestive system. Atheist, but spiritually connected to good music (emo and metal), spicy food, and naps.
Generally easygoing, occasionally overwhelmed, always trying my best. If I’m not drumming, farming peppers, or being pulled down the street by huskies, I’m probably overthinking something that absolutely does not matter. Chill vibes, loud drums, spicy peppers, anxious energy, zero gods.. welcome to the brand.
Note from Maria/the owner: in case you're wondering what kind of provider jon is.. jon once was so angry at a pharmacist for not filling a prescription for a patient that he drove to the pharmacy himself to yell at the pharmacy and sit there until the prescription was filled. he's truly an advocate who cares.
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Q&A
What is your favorite movie? That is a difficult one as I have quite a few. The Crow, SLC Punk, Inception, and The Burbs
Favorite superhero? Wolverine.
If you could have a superpower, what superpower would you pick? Teleportation. With this power, I would never work again.
Favorite bands/singer? Deftones, Sleeping with Sirens, Pierce the Veil, The Used, Blink-182, AFI, The Ataris, Bring Me the Horizon.
If you had 3 wishes, what would you wish for? 1. I’d wish all wishes I thought of would want to come true. 2. To understand animals. 3. To have superpowers
Fun fact about you: I have more aluminum in my body than most people do. I am injury prone. I find comedy in everything…trauma history.
Tell me about your pets Jedda and Koda are my babies. They are such calm, sweet, and loving girls. They are trained therapy dogs and love meeting new people. They absolutely hate sirens and make sure everyone knows when they hear one. Both the girls are very bonded, which means they are always in eye-sight of one another. They are so nice to each other, one can take a treat right out of the others mouth and no fighting or growling occurs. I’m not kidding. They are my life savers and I am forever grateful for their love and companionship.
What are ways beyond medication that can improve your mental health? Music. Music is in every aspect of my life. Ask my husband and he will tell you I sing a song about EVERYTHING. A commercial comes on, I take a sentence and sing it. I’ve played several instruments in my life, however, drums are my favorite. When I was 17 years old, my friend and I were offered an indie label contract for our punk rock band, Stag. We turned it down to go to college. I can only wonder what would have happened had we taken it. Music gives me peace and helps me focus
What are your thoughts on adult ADHD? I was not diagnosed with ADHD until I was 26 years old, while in nursing school. Being treated for it was life changing. Had I been treated as a kid, I would not be here, I’d be terraforming Mars. Treating adults with ADHD is something I am passionate about. The hard part with adults is differentiating ADHD with other mental health disorders that share commonalities…this is where I come in
If a patient is nervous about an evaluation, especially when talking about tough things like trauma or sexual abuse, what would you want them to know? I am just as nervous as you are. Does not matter if it is the 1 millionth evaluation, I am still nervous. We will make it through this together. Hahahaha (nervous laugh). On a serious note, these are nerve racking because you are answering questions you may have not been asked before. It takes a lot of trust to be able to feel comfortable. That trust doesn’t happen immediately, but grows over time. Traumatic events affect everyone differently, but they DO affect everyone. I am an ear to listen to what you want to talk about. I never push, but leave the “door open” for you.
What are some other things you feel could be beneficial to improve mental health other than medications? Therapy is a huge component of healing and gaining control of your mental health. Therapy, I believe, is 50% of the treatment. When medication is warranted, in combination with therapy, the result is amazing. Medications can alleviate quickly, but they can be a bandaid, therapy is where the healing occurs.
What is your philosophy on using medication to treat mental health? Are medications lifelong? Does a patient who sees you HAVE to be on medications? That comes down to the mental health disorder. I have to be on medications fo lyfe. That can be hard to stomach for some people, but I believe that comes from the negative stigma with medication and psychiatry. I look at medications as a tool is your mental health tool box, along side therapy. In some mental health disorders, medication may not be for life. That is something we would talk about and work through.
Do you have any personal experiences regarding mental health you are open to sharing? I have mental health disorders. I used to say “suffer from”, but I feel that mindset lends to the negative view of mental health. I embrace it and own it. Ask me about it. Sometimes when you know other people think and feel the similar to you, you feel the world is not as small as it was before. You’re not alone.
What are some experiences you have had that make you unique? When working in the ED (Emergency Department), I saw how people with a mental health disorder were treated and I felt that I wanted to make a difference. I felt the dignity and respect were absent in the ED and I wanted to make sure I restored that for everyone who struggles at times. We all have dark moments, but we should never be made to feel bad or guilty for them. Always reach out…ask Delfina, she has had to listen to me sob on the phone because I was so sad. But she walked me through it, then Maria called and told me to suck it up. Lol.
