For Jessica Hood, becoming a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner is the next step in a healthcare career that began in her hometown nearly two decades ago. Now, she will help patients in that same community—and throughout the Healthy Connections clinic network—access mental health care.
Jessica Hood, APRN, PMHNP-BC, will begin seeing patients Monday, October 19, with Evolve Behavioral Health at Healthy Connections. Appointments are available now for patients ages 7–75, with in-person visits at Malvern Teeter Plaza, 900 Martin Luther King Blvd., Malvern, AR 72104. Patients can also see Jessica through telehealth appointments from any Healthy Connections clinic.
“I absolutely love it here, and I’m excited to be able to bring mental health care to my community,” Hood said.
A Career Built One Step at a Time
A lifelong Malvern resident, Hood began working as a certified nursing assistant at age 18 in a local nursing home. She continued her education to become a licensed practical nurse, then a registered nurse, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2024 and her Master of Science in Nursing in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner studies from Chamberlain University in 2026. She holds board certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Her experience includes inpatient psychiatric admissions, behavioral health case management, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs, mobile psychiatric assessment, and behavioral health leadership. Across those settings, she saw how mental health affects patients at every stage of life.
Hood joined Healthy Connections in 2023 and has served as Director of Nursing, supporting nursing teams and patient care across the organization. She was recognized as one of Healthy Connections’ 2023 Rookies of the Year and its 2025 Employee of the Year.
Her new provider role brings together that experience, her continued education, and her commitment to the community she calls home.
Mental Health Evaluations, Treatment, and Medication Management
As a board-certified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, Hood provides psychiatric evaluations, individualized treatment planning, medication prescribing and management, and ongoing follow-up.
Her services include:
- Mental health diagnosis and treatment.
- Medication prescribing and management.
- Depression and anxiety treatment.
- ADHD evaluation and treatment.
- Bipolar disorder treatment.
- PTSD and trauma-related care.
- Schizophrenia and psychotic disorder treatment.
- Mental health-related sleep concerns.
- Counseling and psychotherapy.
- Suicide risk assessments and safety planning.
- Medication-related lab monitoring.
Hood works with patients, therapists, primary care providers, and other members of the healthcare team to coordinate care and address each patient’s needs.
“It’s as simple as just coming in and telling us kind of what’s going on and letting us navigate that with you,” Hood said.
Care That Considers the Whole Person
Hood believes a treatment plan should consider more than symptoms. Physical health, relationships, life experiences, environment, and personal goals all help her understand what a patient needs.
She wants patients to feel heard, respected, and comfortable discussing their concerns. Her approach emphasizes shared decision-making and education, helping patients understand their treatment options and the reasons behind them.
“It doesn’t stop just with your diabetes and high blood pressure. We need to make sure that everybody’s taken care of as a whole,” she said.
Outside work, Hood enjoys spending time with her husband, John, and their four children. Their family enjoys golfing, traveling, and trying new restaurants. She also enjoys being outdoors, tending her flower beds, reading, and listening to podcasts.
Schedule an Appointment With Jessica Hood
Jessica Hood is accepting new patients, with visits beginning October 19. Her appointment hours are:
- Monday–Thursday: 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Friday: 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
In-person appointments are available at Healthy Connections’ Malvern Teeter Plaza clinic, 900 Martin Luther King Blvd., Malvern. Telehealth appointments are available from any Healthy Connections clinic, using designated clinic telehealth rooms.
Patients can call directly to schedule or ask their healthcare provider for a referral. Call 800-409-6250 to schedule an appointment, visit Evolve Behavioral Health, or learn more on Jessica Hood’s provider page.
