More Than the Patient: How Psychiatry PAs Impact Entire Families

In this episode of PA Mindset Matters, hosts Mercedes Dodge, PA-C and Jessica Spissinger, PA-C connect with psychiatric physician assistant Jasprina Ming, DMS, MPAS, PA-C at Psych Congress to discuss pathways into psychiatry, the mental health workforce shortage, and the broader impact of psychiatric care. Jasprina shares how growing up with a mother with mental illness shaped her perspective, emphasizing that treating one patient often means supporting an entire family and community while helping reduce stigma around mental health. She also discusses her clinical approach to depression, anxiety, and ADHD, highlighting the importance of both psychopharmacology and psychotherapy in outpatient care. Her career journey includes transitioning from a registered vascular technologist (RVT), where she performed vascular ultrasounds, to becoming a PA to be more involved in the full continuum of patient care. Despite being told that opportunities for PAs in psychiatry were limited in her area, she pursued the field through dedicated training and mentorship. The conversation also explores the realities of practicing psychiatry, including maintaining boundaries, avoiding burnout, and staying present outside of work. She shares practical strategies such as completing documentation during the workday and intentionally disconnecting after clinic to be fully present with family. This episode highlights the human side of psychiatric care and reinforces that mental health is health, and that every clinician plays a role in recognizing and supporting it.