My approach: 

• I am an adult psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner with prescriptive privileges. I am also certified as a qualified cognitive therapist through the Academy of Cognitive Therapy.  I strive to take a broad, holistic approach in addressing the mental health needs of my patients.  While I prescribe psychiatric medications when necessary and helpful, I also believe in psychotherapy, examining pertinent medical labs, considering genetic testing, and paying close attention to the role of nutrition and exercise in mental health and wellness.  

• My area of expertise is mood disorders and I feel best suited to help adults struggling with depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and insomnia.  I especially enjoy using my cognitive behavioral training to help individuals with insomnia through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia ("CBT-I").  

• If you don't have a therapist already, and we decide that regular psychotherapy would be beneficial, I maintain an extensive referral list of therapists with whom I enjoy collaborating.  I view the services that I provide as far more than just "medication management" (my minimum time spent with you is a 25 minute follow up); however at this time I am not providing formalized psychotherapy for most clients outside of a time limited course of CBT-I for insomnia for those who desire it. 

Educational background: 

• I graduated from Duke University with a degree in Psychology and received my Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program in 2005. I completed my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2025.  

Professional background:  

• I began my work in outpatient psychiatry at Vanderbilt Medical Group, specializing in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders from 2006–2012. There, I had the privilege of learning from Dr. Rick Shelton, MD, a leader in depression research, and Dr. Steve Hollon, PhD, an expert in cognitive behavioral therapy. 

• From 2012–2020, I continued my clinical work in outpatient psychiatry at a highly respected private practice in Hillsboro Village. In 2020, I opened my own small private practice, Gardner Wellness. 

•  In addition to my clinical work, I enjoy teaching psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner students.  For over fifteen years, I have served as a part-time faculty member at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, where I have taught courses including neuroscience for psychiatric nurse practitioners, theories of psychotherapy, psychopharmacology and advanced psychopharmacology. 

Personal background: 

• I am a Nashville native and have also enjoyed living in Durham, NC; Florence, Italy (during a college semester abroad); and Washington DC. My husband and I have two teenaged children. My own experience with significant personal loss, including the passing of both of my parents, has deepened my understanding of grief and the compassion I bring to supporting others through difficult seasons of life. 

• I am a late convert to dog-loving, won over by a 15 pound fluffy cavapoo with a heart of gold. I am a Christian (Episcopalian with Presbyterian roots) with curiosity and interest in spiritual questions.  I enjoy hiking, gardening, yoga, thrifting and reading fiction.

~Virginia Gardner, DNP, PMHNP-BC