Mental Health Care: What to Expect from Psychiatric Services

October 8th, 2025

Mental health is deeply personal—and finding the right psychiatric care can make a major difference in quality of life. If you’re in Baxter, MN, or the Brainerd Lakes area, Brainerd Lakes Area Psychiatry (BLAP) offers a spectrum of services designed to support children, adolescents, and adults. In this guide, we’ll cover who BLAP is, what services are available, how to prepare, what to look for, and some additional resources to help you make informed choices.

Who Is BLAP and What Sets Their Approach Apart

BLAP is a clinic located in Baxter, Minnesota, focused on community‐based, trauma-informed psychiatric care. Key features include:

The lead provider, Twilla Oskey, APRN-CNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C, is double board-certified—both in psychiatry/mental health and family nurse practice.
They provide care for a wide age range: children, adolescents, and adults.
Their philosophy emphasizes compassion, individualized treatment, and integrating multiple therapeutic modalities to suit each patient.

One unique touch is Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT); BLAP uses a therapy dog (Duchess) in sessions as part of care for some patients.

Key Services Offered

BLAP offers a range of psychiatric treatments. Depending on your needs, some of the services you might engage with include:

Service	What It Helps With	What to Expect
ADHD Treatment	Inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity; improving functioning at school, home, or work	Assessment, possibly combined medication + behavioral interventions.
Depression Management	Including treatment-resistant depression	Therapy, possibly medication, and advanced options like TMS.
Anxiety Disorders	Panic, general anxiety, social anxiety etc.	Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), possibly supplemented with other modalities.
PTSD / Trauma-informed Care	Trauma symptoms, flashbacks, anxiety related to past events	Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), supportive therapies, trauma-informed approach.
Medication Management	Need for psychiatric meds, adjusting dosages, balancing side effects	Regular follow-ups, evaluations.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)	For patients who haven’t fully responded to medications, especially in depression	In-office treatment, non-invasive, FDA approved device (NeuroStar).

Telepsychiatry & Hybrid Care Options

For many people, getting to a clinic can be a barrier. BLAP recognizes this and offers telepsychiatry (virtual appointments) along with in-person services.

Here’s what to consider:

Virtual visits are useful for evaluations, follow-ups, medication management, therapy for anxiety, depression etc.
Certain services—like TMS or Animal Assisted Therapy—must be done in person.
Check with your insurer whether telehealth is covered; in Minnesota, many insurers do recognize and reimburse telepsychiatry.

What to Expect at Your First Appointment

To get the most from your first meeting, here are likely steps and things to prepare:

Comprehensive Assessment: History of symptoms, medical history, previous treatments. Be ready to share what has or hasn’t helped.
Setting Goals: What do you want to achieve—less anxiety, more focus, better sleep, improved mood, etc.
Discussion of Treatment Options: BLAP may suggest medications, therapy, or a combination. Advanced treatments like TMS or ART might be proposed if needed.
Follow-up Plan: Regular visits, monitoring, possibly adjustments.
Confidentiality & Consent: You’ll get explanations about privacy, HIPAA, how records are handled.

How to Choose the Right Psychiatric Service Provider

If you’re comparing options, some features to prioritize include:

Licensing & Credentials: Double board certification, experience in psychiatric mental health, special training in trauma or specialized therapies.
Range of Treatments: Ability to offer not just standard therapies but advanced ones (TMS, ART, AAT) can be valuable if typical treatments weren’t enough.
Compassion & Trauma-Informed Approach: Treatment should feel safe, respectful, and individualized.
Flexibility: Telehealth, in-person options, hybrid models.
Insurance & Affordability: What insurers are accepted, sliding scales or options if needed.
Local Accessibility: How far is the clinic, hours, etc.

BLAP checks many of these boxes in their region.

Common Questions & Myths

Question	Clarification
“Does medication mean therapy isn’t needed?”	Not at all. Many patients benefit most from a combined approach—therapy + medication. BLAP offers both or coordinates with therapists.
“Are advanced treatments risky or experimental?”	TMS and ART are evidence-based. ART is newer but has scientific backing; TMS is FDA approved for certain conditions. Like all treatment, they require proper supervision.
“Will telepsychiatry feel less personal or effective?”	It can feel different, but many people find it effective. For many issues it works very well; for some needs, in-person may be better. BLAP provides both so you can choose.

Local & External Resources

To support mental health wellness or learn more about your options, these resources are useful:

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Minnesota) — education, support groups, advocacy.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) — national resource for treatment locators, crisis support, and guidance.

In summary, psychiatric care in Baxter MN via BLAP offers a robust and compassionate range of treatment options—including advanced modalities—for many common mental health conditions. When choosing care, think about your symptom profile, what treatments you’re open to, convenience, and the provider’s style. Contact us to get started.