MY STORY

As a doctorate-prepared, board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with experience across hospitals, academia, and private practice, I bring both deep clinical expertise and a human-centered approach to psychiatry.

Hi! I'm Britt Ritchie,

Before I became a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I was a graphic designer—a path that taught me how to think creatively, see connections others might miss, and trust intuition as much as analysis. Those same skills shape how I approach mental health today: with curiosity, compassion, and a deep commitment to understanding the full picture.

My journey into psychiatry wasn’t linear—it was personal. I’ve lived through depression, social anxiety, undiagnosed ADHD, and dyscalculia, all while trying to maintain the illusion of being “high-functioning.” Like many of the women I work with now, I looked capable on the outside while quietly unraveling inside. It took years of self-reflection, therapy, and holistic healing to finally understand what I needed—and to feel like me again.

Now, I use that lived experience and clinical expertise to help women untangle their own patterns, reconnect with their values, and move toward a version of life that actually feels good on the inside—not just impressive on paper.

Because the goal isn’t perfection.

It’s transformation—real, sustainable, and grounded in who you truly are.

I’m a two-time graduate of the University of Colorado College of Nursing, where I later returned as an assistant professor—teaching and mentoring students across bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. My passion for psychiatry has been shaped not just by clinical experience, but also through academic leadership, research, and a deep commitment to advancing mental health care.

Before becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I spent over a decade as a medical nurse working in ICU, neuro/trauma, and perioperative settings. That medical foundation continues to inform how I approach complex psychiatric symptoms—especially when they overlap with chronic health conditions.

Clinically, I’ve worked in a wide range of settings:

Community mental health, treating individuals with severe and persistent mental illness
Hospital-based consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatry, providing psychiatric care to medically hospitalized patients
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for treatment-resistant depression and OCD
Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) and outpatient psychiatry, offering continuity of care across levels of need

From hands-on nursing to advanced diagnostics, teaching future clinicians to crafting thoughtful treatment plans—I bring a layered, integrative perspective to psychiatry that’s both grounded in science and deeply human.

When I’m not working, I’m a proud wife and mom to two amazing boys—and three lovable (and very opinionated) dogs. I stay active with hiking, biking, skiing, and long walks that double as my therapy sessions. Movement is my medicine, and I’m a regular at my women-only fitness studio and on my Peloton bike and tread.

I’m a big believer in balance, and you’ll often find me at a Rockies or Broncos game, cheering from the sidelines at my kids’ sports, laughing with friends, or deep in a podcast about the latest in psychiatry. I genuinely love what I do, and I’m always learning.

Over the years, I’ve realized that well-being isn’t just about treatment—it’s about lifestyle. It’s about creating alignment between mind and body, prioritizing joy, and building a life that feels like your own. That’s what I bring into my work every day.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
University of Colorado College of Nursing

Graduated magna cum laude | Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing Fellowship

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
University of Colorado College of Nursing
Graduated magna cum laude | Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing Fellowship

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
West Virginia University
Magna cum laude | National Society of Collegiate Scholars | WV Center for Nursing Scholarship recipient

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
Montana State University
Where my love for creativity and pattern recognition began

Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC)
Credentialed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

NeuroStar Certified in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Training in TMS for Major Depressive Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Integrative Psychiatry Training
Dream Practice Academy – Root-cause-focused, holistic mental health care

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Psychwire – Evidence-based ACT training for emotional flexibility and values-based living

Motivational Interviewing (MI)
University of Colorado – Collaborative, goal-oriented therapy training for behavior change

With over 18 years in healthcare, my clinical foundation spans both medical and psychiatric care. Prior to becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I worked as a medical nurse for over a decade in ICU, trauma, and perioperative settings.

Since then, I’ve had the privilege of practicing in a wide range of psychiatric environments:

Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry – Hospital-based care for patients with both medical and psychiatric needs
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) – Interventional treatment for depression and OCD
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) – Bridging higher levels of psychiatric care
Community Mental Health – Focused on severe and persistent mental illness

I also served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, teaching across bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral nursing programs.

University of Colorado College of Nursing

Two-Time Alumni Hero Award Winner – Recognized for clinical impact and leadership in mental health
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing Fellowship – Awarded during both MSN and DNP programs
Rising Star Faculty Nominee – Honored for excellence in teaching and mentorship

West Virginia University

West Virginia Center for Nursing Scholarship – Awarded for academic excellence and commitment to the nursing profession

Presentations
- APNA Annual Conference
  - “Mindful Awareness Practices for Adults with ADHD: A Program Implementation and Evaluation” (2021)
  - “Increasing PMHNP Student Confidence and Proficiency: Skills-Based Course with Standardized Patients” (2023)
- Bern University, Switzerland
  - “Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Service Overview” – International guest lecture
Publications
- Ritchie, B. N., & Peterson, K. A. (2022). Mindful Awareness Practices for Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Virtual Program Implementation and Evaluation during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 1–4. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2022.2081391
- Rhoads, J. (Ed.). (Expected 2025). Clinical Consult to Psychiatric Mental Health Management for Nurse Practitioners (3rd ed.). Springer Publishing.
  - Contributor: Sections on neurocognitive disorders, frontotemporal neurocognitive disorder, and delirium (B. N. Ritchie)

Learn More About My Approach

What My Clients Are Saying

“Britt truly helped me change my life for the better. Other psychiatrists I have worked with have never even checked labs and she did this the first day. She is so genuine and knowledgeable and really listened to all my concerns. I can’t recommend her more strongly!!”

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MY STORY

Hi! I'm Britt Ritchie,

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Schedule a Free Consultation