Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner | Medication Management

At KDH Counseling, medication management is provided by psychiatric nurse practitioners who approach care thoughtfully, collaboratively, and with respect for the whole person. Medication can be a helpful tool for reducing symptoms that interfere with daily life-not a shortcut, a fix-all, or a replacement for understanding what you’re going through.

We work with children, teens, and adults navigating anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, mood disorders, trauma-related symptoms, sleep difficulties, and major life transitions, offering careful assessment, ongoing monitoring, and individualized support.

MEDICATION MANAGEMENT IN LAFAYETTE, LA WITH A THOUGHTFUL, COLLABORATIVE APPROACH

Our psychiatric providers prioritize informed consent, shared decision-making, and careful pacing. That means taking time to understand your history, current symptoms, medical considerations, and personal goals before making recommendations. When medication is part of care, we focus on the lowest effective dose, regular follow-ups, and ongoing conversations about benefits, side effects, and alternatives.

Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation
Individualized medication recommendations
Ongoing monitoring and adjustments
Coordination with your therapist when appropriate

JOHN MICHAEL BELLARD, APRN, PMHNP-C

"Mental health care is deeply personal. My goal is to meet people where they are, honor their stories, and walk alongside them toward something steadier, clearer, and more hopeful."

Born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana, John Michael witnessed firsthand the quiet and not-so-quiet ways mental health struggles shape a community. Anxiety, depression, and trauma were never abstract concepts—they were neighbors, classmates, families, and emergency room beds filled in the early hours of the morning. Bearing witness to that reality planted an enduring question that continues to guide his work: How do we do better?

His path into mental health care began in nursing. John Michael earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and went on to work as an Emergency Department RN, caring for individuals in the midst of acute mental health crises-moments marked by fear, confusion, and vulnerability. Those experiences not only shaped his clinical skill but clarified his purpose: to move beyond stabilization and toward long-term healing.

That calling led him back to UL Lafayette, where he completed his Master of Science in Nursing and became a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. His work is grounded in the belief that mental health care should be accessible, compassionate, and free from shame. For him, reducing stigma is not a slogan- it is a daily practice rooted in listening, education, and consistent presence when people need support most.

Outside of work, John Michael values the moments that keep him grounded. He enjoys spending time with his fiancé, Nick, and their golden doodle, Ellie, reading a good book, and engaging in a competitive game of pickleball. These moments of balance mirror the steadiness he encourages in his clients.