Introducing: Elizabete C. Rodrigues
In an effort to support the next generation of psychiatric providers, I would like to introduce you to Elizabete, a PMHNP (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner) student who will be shadowing me and my work for a brief period of time this coming Fall 2026 as part of her education.
Nurse Practitioners who are being educated to become psychiatric providers are required to a certain number of hours shadowing an established mental health provider in order to graduate and I am excited to be able to support Elizabete.
As a result there is a likelihood that Elizabete will be shadowing me either in the office or by telehealth on a day and at a time during which you and I are scheduled to meet. Elizabete and I both understand this isn’t always comfortable for clients, so we’re hoping this introduction helps with that.
A couple other things to keep in mind:
1) Elizabete is focusing on me and how I do therapy, not so much on you and your story
2) Elizabete, being a well-established and successful medical professional already, is well-versed in HIPPA and is bound by the same confidentiality that I am
3) there is no therapeutic interaction between you and Elizabete, only the exchange of pleasantries if you wish and
4) you absolutely have the right to decline to have Elizabete shadow me during your session; simply inform me ahead of time of your desire to not participate in this education prior to the start of your appointment.
I will also be double-checking your willingness to participate when the session begins.
I hope this information, paired with Elizabete’s bio below, helps you make your decision. Elizabete, and I, express our deep appreciation for your consideration and, if willing, your participation.
My name is Elizabete C. Rodrigues, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, and I am a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Educator, and graduate nursing student at New Mexico State University. I have more than a decade of nursing experience caring for individuals and families across a variety of healthcare settings and am continuing my education through a Post-Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certificate program. From September through December 2026, I look forward to completing supervised observational clinical hours to further develop my understanding of psychotherapy, therapeutic communication, and patient-centered mental health care. With your permission, I may quietly observe selected sessions as part of this educational experience. My role will be observational, and I am committed to respecting your privacy, confidentiality, comfort, and therapeutic relationship throughout the process. I sincerely appreciate your consideration and the opportunity to learn from this experience.