Mental health nurse practitioner psychotherapy; a scoping review.

Abstract

Background: Mental health nurse practitioners represent a workforce with capacity to significantly contribute to meeting public need for psychotherapy.

Aim: The purpose of this scoping review study is to synthesize evidence regarding mental health nurse practitioner use of psychotherapy.

Methods: Arksey and O' Malley's framework was used to guide the review which sought and synthesized papers written in English published between January 2000- April 2025 describing mental health nurse practitioners use of psychotherapy.

Results: Sixteen papers were included, nine written in the United States, four from Australia, and one each from South Africa, the Netherlands and Korea. Studies revealed that mental health nurse practitioners utilize a wide range of psychotherapy to assist people throughout the lifespan and across diverse settings. However, despite such wide-ranging and valuable service provision regulatory barriers often restrict mental health nurse practitioners' delivery of psychotherapy.

Conclusion: Evidence outlined in this scoping review challenges governments, policy advisors and service managers to better support mental health nurse practitioners as they seek to serve their communities by providing psychotherapy alongside other forms of mental healthcare.