Board-Certified PMHNP-BC · Pennsylvania

Mental clarity.
Medication that works.
A plan that's yours.

Personalized psychiatric care focused on stability, healing, and helping you move forward with confidence — for children, adults, and older adults.

Serving patients throughout Pennsylvania via secure telehealth and long-term care facility partnerships.

Request an Appointment Submit a Referral Our Services
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Philosophy of Care

Mental health care should never be one-size-fits-all.

Everyone's needs are different. Some people need a space to talk and process life experiences or trauma. Others may benefit from medication or medical treatment. My goal is to take the time to understand what each patient truly needs.

Often, the best care involves a thoughtful combination of both. Together, we develop a treatment plan that supports stability, healing, and long-term progress — one that actually fits your life and your goals.

Why Thrive

What makes us different.

A small, independent practice built around one core belief: you deserve a provider who actually knows you.

You Always See Mackenzie
Every patient, every visit — you work directly with Mackenzie Emel, PMHNP-BC. Your care is never handed off. You build a real relationship with a provider who knows your full story.
Evidence-Based Psychopharmacology
Treatment decisions are grounded in current clinical research — including pharmacogenomic considerations to identify which medications are most likely to work best for your unique biology.
48–72 Hour Response Guarantee
All emails, referrals, and appointment requests receive a personal response within 48 to 72 hours. You will never be left waiting without acknowledgment.
Prescriptions During Your Visit
In most cases, prescriptions are sent directly to your pharmacy before your appointment ends — no follow-up calls, no delays getting started on your treatment plan.
A Practice That Knows You
As an independent, female-owned small practice, Thrive is intentionally intimate. Mackenzie genuinely knows her patients — their history, their goals, and what matters most in their daily lives.
Secure & Streamlined
All scheduling, telehealth visits, and clinical documentation are managed through SimplePractice — a HIPAA-compliant platform designed for seamless, secure care delivery.
Conditions Treated

Expert care for the conditions you're living with.

Thrive provides evaluation, diagnosis, and individualized treatment for a wide range of psychiatric and behavioral health conditions across the lifespan.

Depression
Major, persistent, and treatment-resistant
Anxiety Disorders
Generalized, panic, social, and phobias
ADHD
Attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity across the lifespan
Bipolar Disorder
Mood cycling and long-term stability management
PTSD & Trauma
Post-traumatic and acute stress conditions
Psychotic Disorders
Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder
Behavioral Issues
Impulsivity, agitation, and disruptive behavior patterns
Dementia-Related Behaviors
Agitation, psychosis, and mood symptoms in dementia
Addiction & Substance Use
Dual-diagnosis and substance use disorder support
OCD
Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders
Sleep Disorders
Insomnia and psychiatric-related sleep disturbance
Life Transitions
Grief, adjustment, and situational stressors
Who We Help

Psychiatric care across every stage of life.

From children navigating emotional challenges to older adults in long-term care, Thrive provides individualized psychiatric care at every age.

Children & Adolescents
Emotional, behavioral, and attention challenges
Adults
Depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, and mood disorders
Older Adults
Dementia behaviors, psychiatric illness, and geriatric care
Long-Term Care Residents
Skilled nursing, personal care & assisted living
Clinical Services

Comprehensive psychiatric care

Evidence-based treatment tailored to each individual's needs, goals, and circumstances.

01
Psychiatric Evaluations
Comprehensive assessments used to establish diagnosis and create a foundation for personalized treatment planning.
02
Medication Management
Thoughtful medication management designed to improve stability while minimizing unnecessary medications.
03
Psychotherapy
Supportive therapy to help individuals process life experiences and build healthier coping strategies.
04
Telehealth Psychiatry
Secure virtual appointments allowing patients to receive high-quality psychiatric care from the comfort of home.
05
Long-Acting Injectable Medications
Management and monitoring of long-acting psychiatric medications that support consistent treatment adherence.
06
Addiction & Substance Use Support
Individualized treatment planning and compassionate support for those navigating substance use challenges.
Getting Started

What to expect.

Starting psychiatric care should feel straightforward, not overwhelming. Here is exactly what happens from the moment you reach out to your first appointment.

1
Submit a Referral or Request
Reach out by email or fax. Referrals are accepted from providers, facilities, patients, and family members alike.
2
Receive a Response Within 48–72 Hours
You will receive a personal reply from Thrive within 48 to 72 hours to confirm your request and discuss next steps.
3
SimplePractice Portal Invitation
Once accepted, you'll receive a secure invite to the SimplePractice client portal to complete intake paperwork and schedule your appointment.
4
Meet With Mackenzie
Your telehealth appointment is conducted via SimplePractice's secure HIPAA-compliant video platform — right from your home or care setting.

Powered by SimplePractice. All scheduling, video appointments, billing, and clinical documentation are managed through SimplePractice — a fully HIPAA-compliant platform trusted by thousands of mental health providers. After your referral is accepted, everything flows through your secure patient portal.

Insurance & Fees

Transparent about cost & coverage.

Thrive accepts a wide range of insurance plans as well as private pay. Contact us to verify your specific plan before scheduling.

Insurance Plans Accepted

Medicare
Pennsylvania Medicaid
AmeriHealth Caritas
Highmark BCBS
Capital Blue Cross
Geisinger
United Healthcare
UPMC
Railroad Medicare
Other — Contact to Verify

Insurance coverage varies by plan and service type. Please contact us directly to verify your specific benefits prior to scheduling. Thrive will assist in confirming eligibility when possible.

Private Pay Rates

Initial Psychiatric Evaluation
$250 – $500
Follow-Up Medication Management
15-minute visit$125
30-minute visit$175
60-minute visit$225
Psychotherapy
Standard session$125
60-minute session$200

Note: Thrive does not provide documentation-only services, including evaluations solely for workers' compensation or disability paperwork. A full clinical evaluation and established treatment relationship are required before any documentation requests may be considered.

Contact us to verify your insurance coverage before scheduling.
Long-Term Care Partnerships

Serving residents where they live.

Thrive Behavioral Solutions partners with skilled nursing facilities, personal care homes, and assisted living communities throughout Pennsylvania — bringing expert psychiatric care directly to residents.

24/7
Clinical Availability
3
Facility Types Served
GDR
Compliance Oversight
CMS
Regulatory Compliance

Clinical Services

  • Psychiatric evaluations
  • Medication management
  • Behavioral stabilization
  • Psychotherapy when appropriate
  • Long-acting injectable planning

Facilities Served

  • Skilled Nursing Facilities
  • Personal Care Homes
  • Assisted Living Communities

Compliance

  • Gradual Dose Reduction oversight
  • CMS & DOH compliance
  • Psychotropic med monitoring

Facility Benefits

  • 24-hour clinical availability
  • Independent credentialing
  • Independent billing services
  • GDR documentation
  • Survey-ready records
Mackenzie Emel, PMHNP-BC
20+Years Healthcare
Experience
About Your Provider

Meet Mackenzie Emel.

MSN, PMHNP-BC

Mackenzie Emel is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and independent female business owner with more than 20 years of healthcare experience, including extensive work with geriatric and medically complex populations.

Born and raised in Central Pennsylvania, Mackenzie was recruited to play Division I softball at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), where she earned her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology. After returning to Pennsylvania, she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Penn State University.

She completed her Master of Science in Nursing and PMHNP training at Maryville University. Her clinical expertise spans mood disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD, psychotic disorders, addiction, and dementia-related behavioral conditions. As the sole provider at Thrive, Mackenzie is deeply engaged with each patient — often getting to know them on a genuinely personal level, which she believes is central to effective psychiatric care.

PMHNP-BC MSN — Maryville University BSN — Penn State B.S. Kinesiology — Ole Miss Geriatric Psychiatry Telehealth Services Independent Practice Owner
FAQ

Common questions.

Honest answers about how Thrive works, what to expect, and whether this practice is the right fit for you.

How quickly will I hear back after reaching out?
All emails, referrals, and contact form submissions are responded to within 48 to 72 hours. You will always receive a personal reply — not an automated message — from Thrive directly.
Will I always see the same provider?
Yes. Thrive is a small, intentionally independent practice. Every patient — every visit — is seen by Mackenzie Emel, PMHNP-BC. You will never be redirected to a different provider without your knowledge and consent.
How do I schedule my appointment after a referral is accepted?
Once your referral is reviewed and accepted, you will receive a secure invitation to the Thrive patient portal through SimplePractice. Through the portal you can complete intake paperwork, manage your appointments, and join your telehealth visits — all from one place.
Do you accept insurance? What about private pay?
Yes — Thrive accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and several major commercial insurance plans. Private pay is also accepted. Insurance coverage varies by plan, so please contact us to verify your specific benefits before scheduling.
Can you fill out disability or workers' comp paperwork?
Thrive does not provide documentation-only services. Disability evaluations and workers' compensation documentation require an established treatment relationship and a thorough clinical evaluation over time. If the clinical picture ultimately supports such documentation, that conversation can happen — but it is never the starting point of care here. Patients seeking evaluations for the primary purpose of documentation are encouraged to seek a provider better suited to that specific need.
Do you prescribe stimulant medications?
ADHD is a condition Thrive treats, and stimulant medications can absolutely be part of an appropriate, evidence-based treatment plan. However, stimulant prescriptions are only initiated following a thorough evaluation and after an established clinical relationship has been developed. Patients seeking stimulant medications as the primary reason for seeking care — without interest in a comprehensive evaluation — may find another provider to be a better fit.
Can Thrive refuse a referral?
Yes. Thrive reserves the right to decline any referral or prospective patient relationship at our discretion. This may occur when the clinical needs fall outside the scope of this practice, when the goals of care are not consistent with Thrive's philosophy, or for any other reason deemed clinically or professionally appropriate.
What telehealth platform do you use?
All telehealth appointments are conducted through SimplePractice — a fully HIPAA-compliant platform. You will receive a link through your patient portal before each visit. No special software download is required; appointments run directly through a secure browser.
Get In Touch

Ready to take the next step?

Send a message or email directly — we respond to all inquiries within 48 to 72 hours.

Contact Information

Fax 814-904-7024
Response Time
48–72 hours guaranteed
Service Area Telehealth throughout Pennsylvania & on-site at partner long-term care facilities

Send a Message

By submitting this form you consent to being contacted by Thrive Behavioral Solutions regarding your inquiry. This form does not establish a provider-patient relationship. If you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency, please call 988 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Referrals

Submit a Referral

Referrals are accepted from healthcare providers, facilities, patients, and family members. All referrals are reviewed and responded to within 48 to 72 hours.

How to Refer

Fax
814-904-7024
Email a Referral

Please Include

  • Patient full legal name
  • Date of birth
  • Contact phone number
  • Email address
  • Insurance information or private pay
  • Reason for referral