Heather Harlan, APRN, PMHNP

Meet Heather Harlan, APRN, PMHNP

Heather Harlan, DNP, PMHNP-BC, is a dedicated and compassionate psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, serving as a vital anchor for behavioral health services in Alamogordo and the Tularosa Basin. She brings a strong foundation in behavioral health, patient advocacy, and evidence-based nursing care to her practice. Heather holds a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from New Mexico State University (2025) and is board-certified as a PMHNP through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Her clinical background reflects nearly a decade of service to the Alamogordo community across acute care, behavioral medicine, and school health. Her nursing journey began at New Mexico State University in Alamogordo, where she completed multiple degrees before earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing with honors as a Crimson Scholar in 2018.

Heather began her nursing career at Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center, gaining broad experience in acute care and float nursing before transitioning into behavioral medicine. These diverse roles strengthened her skills in patient assessment, crisis management, and holistic, person-centered care. With a warm and collaborative approach, she strives to create an environment where patients feel heard, respected, and empowered throughout their treatment.

Clinical Role and Leadership

As a core psychiatric provider within the Scenic Drive medical corridor, Heather plays an essential role in integrating behavioral health into the CHRISTUS primary care system. She is dedicated to addressing the shortage of psychiatric specialists in Otero County by offering accessible, local treatment for complex mental health needs.

She provides specialized evaluation and treatment for conditions including:

• Major Depression & Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
• Anxiety Disorders, Panic Disorder & Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Psychotic Disorders, including paranoia and hallucinations
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) & complicated grief
• Geriatric cognitive concerns, including memory loss and disorientation

What You Can Expect from Care with Heather

Patients can expect a compassionate, educational, and dignity-centered approach to mental health treatment. Heather believes that clear understanding—of both conditions and medications—is central to confidence, participation in care, and long-term wellness. Guided by the CHRISTUS mission to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, she prioritizes the inherent dignity of every individual. Her goal is for each patient to feel informed, supported, and genuinely cared for throughout their treatment journey.

Commitment to Public Health and Health Equity

Heather is deeply committed to reducing behavioral health disparities in rural communities, where access to care is often limited. By choosing to practice locally in Alamogordo, she ensures residents can receive high-quality psychiatric care close to home—without the hardship of long-distance travel. She understands the unique challenges rural patients face, including limited resources, transportation barriers, and longer wait times, and she is dedicated to bridging these gaps through timely access, community presence, and compassionate support.