Marie D. Akers DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, PMHS, PPCNP-BC (She/Her)

Summary

• Dr. Marie Akers, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, PPCNP-BC, PMHS is a triple board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and founder of SHIELD Psychiatry PLLC, a concierge telepsychiatry practice serving children, adolescents, and young adults across Florida. With over 20 years of clinical experience spanning pediatric neurology, primary care, and psychiatry, she provides comprehensive, developmentally informed mental health care tailored to each patient and family.
  
  Dr. Akers specializes in the evaluation and management of ADHD, anxiety disorders, depression, autism spectrum disorder, and sleep disturbances, utilizing evidence-based approaches including measurement-based care, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and individualized treatment planning. Her clinical model emphasizes early identification, functional improvement, and collaboration with families, schools, and healthcare providers to optimize outcomes.
  
  She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Florida, a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of South Florida, and completed a post-master’s certificate in psychiatric mental health at the University of Cincinnati. In addition to her clinical work, she serves as adjunct faculty at the University of South Florida, mentoring graduate nursing students and contributing to pediatric workforce development.
  
  Dr. Akers has held clinical and leadership roles at Concord Health, St. Joseph’s Hospital, and Pediatric Epilepsy and Neurology Specialists, where she contributed to protocol development, interdisciplinary care, and quality improvement initiatives. Her scholarly interests include ADHD and autism spectrum disorder, with research presented at the Florida Nurse Practitioner Network Conference.
  
  She is committed to advancing equitable, culturally responsive mental health care and expanding access through innovative telehealth models and strategic partnerships.