Dr. Lynz Schweiger, DNP, PMHNP (They/them)

I am a Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner holding a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from New Mexico State University. Prior to opening Safe Space Psychiatry, I was employed as a psychiatric provider for the New Mexico Corrections Department. 

While pursuing my graduate degree, I worked as a Registered Nurse on an inpatient behavioral health unit, where I witnessed openly transgender patients being misgendered by the staff, and a disproportionate number of patients identifying as sexual and gender minorities. Observing the perpetuation of stigma within a treatment setting prompted me to focus my doctoral study at NMSU on educating health care providers in practices that are affirming and inclusive for members of the queer community. 

Through my research, I also confirmed what I had observed on the inpatient unit - that our community remains at higher risk for suicide, substance abuse, smoking, depression, anxiety, trauma, and more. These disparities are linked to increased experiences of minority stress such as structural stigma, hypervigilance related to personal safety, rejection from one's family or church, and overt discrimination. I founded Safe Space Psychiatry in an effort to provide refuge to a diverse community of people who manage these unique challenges.   

Education: 

Doctor of Nursing Practice, New Mexico State University 

Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Thomas Jefferson University 

Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Temple University

Professional Presentations:

• Converging Cultures: Partnering in Affirmative & Inclusive Health Care for Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community, 2018 National Conference for the American Psychiatric Nurses Association 
• Queers and Christians Sharing the Closet:  Exploring Nursing's Role in Spirituality as the Access Point to Healing Marginalized Communities, 2020 National Conference for the American Psychiatric Nurses Association 

Publication:

Schweiger, L., Noe, S., Lynch, S., Summers, L., & Adams, E. (2019). Converging cultures: Partnering in affirmative and inclusive health care for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 25(6), 453-466.