My Path to Inspired Care

I began my career with a desire to provide the kind of care I wished my own family received.

I was no stranger to the accomplishments and the tragic shortcomings of mental health care. I first set foot in the inpatient psychiatric unit at the age of 9 when my mother took me to visit my older brother. That was the first of his many hospitalizations during his long struggle with schizophrenia.

Later, as a registered nurse, I went to work on that same hospital unit alongside senior nurses who had cared for my brother over the years. I devoted myself to studying botanical medicine, nutrition, energy healing and mindfulness skills. I know that we can do so much more than medicate people, and I continue to seek to understand and support the healing process.

In 2011, I began my career as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. I pursue ongoing training in a diversity of healing modalities, knowing that there is always more to learn. You can read more about my education and experience below.

Lori Harger's Background

Academic Education

Gonzaga University, Spokane WA Graduated 2011 Master of Science in Nursing; Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner track

Montana State University, Missoula Campus Graduated 2005, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Harvard University Extension, Cambridge, MA Graduated 1996, Bachelor of Arts in Humanities, cum laude

Specilaized Training and Certifications

American Nurses Credentialing Center 2012 to present, Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Institute for Applied Meditation, Tucson AZ 2011 to present. Masters Certificates in Applied Meditation, Mentoring, Hurqalya Energy Healing; ongoing mentorship in meditation and energy healing.

Walsh Research Institute 2017 -2020 Certified Practitioner of Advanced Nutrient Therapy for optimal neurochemical function.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 2021 to present, DATA2000 X-Waiver for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

Nurtured Heart Approach Advanced Training, Tucson AZ 2009

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) 2007

Southwest School of Botanical Medicine, Bisbee, AZ 1992, 1999. Certificate in clinical herbalism with emphasis on southwestern plants.

Professional Experience

Nurses Healing Nurses, Tucson, AZ. November 2024 to present. Founder of heart-centered educational and supportive community for nurses. Continuing Education accreditation by American Holistic Nurses Association.

Centered Spirit Program for Behavioral Health, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Tucson AZ, June 2017 to present. Providing integrative psychiatric whole-person care across the lifespan.

University of Arizona College of Nursing, Tucson, AZ, January 2024-present. Supervising psychiatric DNP students and BSN students in the clinical setting.

Tucson Counseling Associates, May 2023-May 2024. PMHNP providing Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

Gonzaga University College of Nursing, Spokane WA, May 2019-May 2020. Clinical supervision of psychiatric nurse practitioner students in southeastern Arizona.

University of Arizona Campus Health Services February 2015- June 2017. PMHNP providing psychiatric evaluation and ongoing care to university students.

Centered Spirit Program for Behavioral Health, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Tucson AZ. November 2011 to February 2015 PMHNP. Psychiatric evaluation and treatment for general mental illness, addiction, trauma, and severe mental illness. Focused on the development of integrative formulary for psychiatric care.

Heartland Hospice, Tucson AZ. September 2009 to May 2011. RN-Case manager. Home visits and case management to terminally-ill individuals.

Pima County Joint Technological Educational District, Tucson AZ. December 2010 to May 2011 RN. Clinical supervision & instruction of high school CNA students in long-term care facilities.

Pima Medical Institute, Tucson AZ. January to May 2010 RN Instructor. Clinical supervision and college algebra instruction to RN students.

Kootenai Behavioral Health Center, Coeur d’Alene ID. March 2007 to July 2009. RN in Youth Acute Inpatient Unit. Created new hospital practice policies for use of aromatherapy, herbal teas, and relaxation groups.

North Idaho Advanced Care Hospital, Post Falls, ID. January 2006 to April 2007. RN in medical-surgical and intensive care in a long-term acute care hospital.

Missoula Naturopathic Clinic, May 2005 to September 2005. Administered IV chelation therapy; educated patients in use of complimentary therapies.

Public Speaking

Southwest Botanical Medicine Conference Annual Conference March 2021, 2025 Whole-Person Care in Opiate Use Disorder

American Holistic Nurses Association Annual Conference June 2025, 2024, 2022 interactive workshops in applied meditation and energy healing

North Central Healing Touch Annual Gathering presentations on Heart-Energy Healing, March 2025

Healing Beyond Borders Annual Conference September 2021: Illuminating the Personal Heart for Global Transformation

Arizona Daily Star Editorial Team Reader Chat on Mental Health May 27, 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGOQ-BUgh7o

Univ. of Arizona Psychiatry Grand Rounds Sept 2015, Heart Rhythm Meditation as Medicine for Patients and Providers