I am Sam Schlazer-Robison, a board-certified Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with a diverse background in nursing, leadership, and family-centered care. My career has taken me through many areas of healthcare and education, all with a common purpose: helping people find stability, strength, and hope during challenging moments in their lives. Long before I specialized in psychiatry, I spent years supporting individuals and families during some of life’s most meaningful and vulnerable transitions. My work began in women’s health, where I spent more than 15 years supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and early childhood development. I later worked as an emergency department nurse, in adolescent psychiatric care, in residential treatment programs, and in assisted living settings supporting adults recovering from substance use and reintegrating after incarceration. I have also served in nursing leadership roles, including Nurse Manager and Director of Nursing. Across these settings, one theme became unmistakably clear: mental health shapes nearly every aspect of a person’s wellbeing. I saw how emotional health affects relationships, learning, physical health, and the way families function together. Those experiences gradually led me toward psychiatric care, where I could focus more deeply on helping individuals and families navigate behavioral and emotional challenges. My practice today reflects the many perspectives I gained throughout my career. I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults in residential treatment, outpatient telehealth, and family-centered environments. I have worked as part of multidisciplinary teams using a range of therapeutic modalities, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), music therapy, and both individual and family therapy. These experiences shaped my belief that mental health care works best when it considers the individual, the family system, and the environment surrounding them. I am especially passionate about working with children, adolescents, and families navigating behavioral challenges or neurodivergent diagnoses. Many parents I meet feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice or long waits for care. They often feel that providers focus only on what is “wrong” rather than recognizing the strengths their child already has.

My goal is to create a space where families feel supported, understood, and guided toward practical solutions that help everyone move forward together. My approach to care is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in both clinical expertise and genuine human connection. I believe that people thrive when they feel seen without judgment. In our work together, we identify strengths, clarify challenges, and develop thoughtful treatment plans that may include psychoeducation, therapy, medication management when appropriate, supplements, communication planning, and practical coping strategies. My role is to serve as a steady guide and advocate while helping families develop the skills and confidence to navigate life’s challenges.

Outside of my professional life, my greatest teachers have been my own family and life experiences. I am the mother of six children, a journey that began when I became a parent at 19. Raising a large family while building a career in healthcare has taught me resilience, adaptability, and humility. It also deepened my understanding of how complex family dynamics can be and how much support parents often need.

I grew up in Florida and now live in Washington. I enjoy exploring different cultures and history, especially the vibrant traditions of places like New Orleans. Music has always been part of my life as well. I play both the tuba and the ukulele, which often surprises people given that I stand just five feet tall. When I have quiet time, you will likely find me reading historical fiction or magical fantasy novels. Friends and family often describe me as wholehearted, strong, adaptable, and deeply compassionate. I strive to bring those same qualities into my clinical work. I believe that leading with kindness, integrity, and authenticity creates the kind of environment where real healing can happen.

At the heart of my practice is a simple belief: people navigate life’s currents more successfully when they have reliable support beside them. My goal is to provide that support with warmth, expertise, and a deep respect for every individual and family I work with.