Dr. Saudat Lawal is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) — DNP, CRNP — licensed in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. A proud African American woman of the Christian faith, she brings over 20 years of experience in nursing and mental health care, combining clinical depth, leadership expertise, and genuine compassion to every patient encounter.
"I exercise compassion and empathy as I interact with my patients. I respect their concerns and feelings and show concern in return. I am an active listener with effective communication skills, which are essential for building trust and rapport."
Dr. Lawal is a graduate of Robert Morris University's PMHNP Doctor of Nursing Practice program and holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from South University. She is ANCC Board Certified in Psychiatric Mental Health and maintains active licensure as a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) in both PA and WV.
Her career began in direct patient care as a Registered Nurse (RN), serving as a Psychiatric Nurse, Geriatric Nurse, and Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) in Skilled Nursing Facilities with locked-down Alzheimer's and Dementia units. She advanced into leadership as Director of Nursing and Chief Nursing Officer of a local behavioral hospital — a free-standing, 3-unit, 48-bed inpatient psychiatric facility — where she led clinical teams focused on Severely and Persistently Mentally Ill (SPMI) adults with dual diagnoses and medical comorbidities.
As a Nurse Practitioner, Dr. Lawal has gained valuable experience and knowledge across multiple levels of care, successfully managing a wide range of psychiatric diagnoses across children, adolescents, and adults in diverse populations. She is deeply familiar with multiple practice models including dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing (MI), trauma-informed care, recovery-focused interventions, community resource linkage, and case management.
Dr. Lawal's practice is built on the conviction that lasting mental wellness requires treating the whole person. She discusses specific problems, sets goals, and uses cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, interpersonal psychotherapy, and motivational interviewing to help clients confront psychological issues, learn healthier coping strategies, and relieve symptoms of conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, and more. Sessions are typically 30 to 60 minutes, tailored to each individual's situation.
