Laughter Is the Best Medicine with Mercy Mbuthia, PMHNP

At Handel Behavioral Health, we believe in a holistic approach to mental health care: therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and a good dose of laughter.

That’s why we’re excited to introduce our newest Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Mercy Mbuthia, PMHNP.

Mercy brings nearly a decade of experience in psychiatric nursing and medication management, along with a deep compassion for her clients.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Mercy to learn more about her journey into the mental health care field, her philosophy of care, and what clients can expect when working with her.

The Best of Both Worlds

Mercy always knew she wanted to be a nurse like her mom. But when she took an AP Psychology class in high school, she found her true passion.

She went on to complete her nursing degree at Salem State University and worked as a registered nurse while exploring ways to combine her two loves. Eventually, she found just the perfect fit: becoming a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).

She completed her master’s degree at UMass Lowell and has since spent her time building experience across a variety of settings and populations.

Mercy’s first role as a psychiatric nurse practitioner was with New England Geriatrics, an agency that sent her to various nursing homes and assisted living facilities to provide care. She expressed how much she loved working with older patients, but after a while, she found that moving from place to place didn’t allow her to see the full follow-through of care.

This led to her time at MetroWest Medical Center’s partial hospitalization program. She was excited to broaden her experience by working with different populations, ages, and mental health concerns.

And once again, Mercy sought out more ways to expand her expertise, landing her here at HBH: “After working in different settings and with different populations, I felt ready for a new challenge and a greater level of independence,” she says.

Lending an Ear

Mercy’s approach starts with understanding the whole person rather than rushing toward a prescription. She views medication as just one of many tools clients can use in their mental health treatment.

“Clients have told me that I’m a good listener,” she says.

She understands that starting therapy and medication can be anxiety-provoking, so she makes sure to spend time in that first appointment getting to know her client.

“I like to go slowly, listen carefully, and look at everything that’s going on in someone’s life and what brought them in,” Mercy explains. “I want to know what their expectations are and what they’re hoping to get out of treatment.”

If medication might be beneficial, Mercy discusses the options openly, including potential benefits, risks, and alternatives.

“We talk through whether you’re comfortable starting medication now, whether you’d like more education first, or whether you’d prefer to wait. It’s a collaborative conversation.”

For some clients, that conversation leads to medication. For others, it may lead to therapy recommendations, additional assessment, or a combination of approaches.

Measuring Progress Beyond Prescriptions

When medication is part of the plan, Mercy checks in frequently, especially during the first few weeks.

Mercy emphasized that successful treatment can’t be measured solely by symptom checklists; She pays attention to meaningful changes in daily life.

“If someone with depression came in saying they were crying all day, not eating, exhausted, and struggling to shower, we look at whether those things are changing.”

These tangible, measurable improvements guide whether Mercy believes adjustments are necessary, while also considering the client’s personal expectations and satisfaction.

Pushing People, Not Pills

Beyond discussions of medication, Mercy addresses how lifestyle factors that can affect emotional well-being, including exercise, nutrition, social connection, sleep, and self-care.

She’s a pusher; She pushes people to find manageable and practical ways to build healthier habits and improve their mental health.

“Maybe it’s taking a walk. Maybe it’s spending time with people you care about. Maybe it’s getting your hair done. Small things can make a difference.”

She also acknowledges how some things are outside of our control, and to make sure to include physical testing and assessments in your treatment.

“Sometimes we’ll look at things like Vitamin D, B12, or thyroid levels,” she explains. “Mental health doesn’t exist in isolation.”

Laughter is the Best Medicine

The most important thing clients should know about Mercy is her appreciation for humor.

She’s a devoted fan of the comedy series Schitt’s Creek and firmly believes laughter has an important place in mental health.

“We don’t get to laugh enough,” she says. “Laughter really can be medicine.”

And it really is, according to the UCLA Easton research center, laughing can promote relaxation, relieve stress and anxiety, build emotional resilience, and improve mood through increased endorphin release (the same feel-good chemicals as a runner’s high, without the running!).

Finding moments of humor amid life’s challenges doesn’t erase or belittle difficult experiences, but it can bring necessary levity to heavy emotional loads.

Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway!

Mercy’s favorite book to recommend is Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers.

Jeffers’ book promotes a “No-Lose” decision-making process and 10-step positive thinking method, helping people break through fear and decision paralysis.

“We’re all afraid of something,” she says. “The book reminds us that fear doesn’t have to stop us from moving forward.”

Mercy appreciates the book’s message that growth often happens when we learn to move through uncertainty rather than waiting for it to disappear.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in Natick, MA

Originally from Kenya, Mercy moved to Worcester when she was 12 years old and has spent most of her life in Massachusetts.

Mercy now practices out of our Natick office and is proud to call the area home.

“I love that Natick has a good balance,” she says. “It’s not too rural, but it’s not as hectic as Boston.”

She enjoys exploring the community, spending time with family, and is a self-described breakfast enthusiast.

She also mentioned her favorite local spot: Zaftig’s!

Medication Management at HBH with Mercy Mbuthia, PMHNP

I asked Mercy if there was something about HBH that made her want to work with us. She explained that one of the biggest draws was the opportunity to work alongside therapists as part of an integrated care team, a bonus of being a family-owned, locally operated business!

“In the past, finding therapists for clients could be really difficult,” she says. “I love that medication management and therapy can happen together. They work so well together, and clients don’t have to navigate everything on their own.”

We’re thrilled to welcome Mercy Mbuthia, PMHNP, to be a part of our collaborative team of mental health professionals. With her thoughtful approach, commitment to holistic care, and genuine passion for helping people feel heard, Mercy is a wonderful addition to our practice!

If you’re interested in medication management, psychiatric evaluation, or integrated mental health care that combines therapy and medication support, Mercy is currently accepting clients through our Natick office and online/telehealth for all of Massachusetts.

To start working with a psychiatric prescriber today, contact us at (413) 343-4357 or request an appointment online.

 

Further Reading:

Psychiatry and Medication Management at HBH

Not Just a Quick Fix: Tamara Cafaro, PMHNP in Massachusetts

 

 

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