NP Expert Witness – Psychiatry & Primary Care

Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

Additional Information

Christy Cotner, DNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC Psychiatric and Family Practice Expert Witness 25+ Years Clinical Experience | Dual Board-Certified NP | DNP-Prepared Professional Summary: I am a dual board-certified Family and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with more than 25 years of direct clinical experience in primary care, internal medicine, urgent care, pediatrics, and outpatient psychiatry. I hold a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree and currently serve as Director of the PMHNP graduate program at Western University of Health Sciences. My clinical background includes acute and chronic disease management, preventive care, triage and escalation of illness, crisis assessment, psychiatric evaluation, and medication management across the lifespan. As an expert witness, I provide clear, objective, and evidence-based opinions for both plaintiff and defense in cases involving primary care standards of care, psychiatric medication management, delayed or missed diagnosis, prescribing practices, documentation, and nurse practitioner scope of practice. My opinions are grounded in real-world outpatient experience and national clinical guidelines. Expert Witness Services: Case review and expert opinion reports Deposition and trial testimony Standard of care analysis (primary care and psychiatry) Medical record review, merit review, and case timeline analysis Licensing board review and rebuttal opinions Scope of practice and supervision evaluation Medication management and prescribing analysis Areas of Expertise: Primary care and family practice standards of care Acute illness and urgent care decision-making Chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension, COPD, obesity) Delayed or missed diagnosis and failure-to-escalate Psychiatric and behavioral health standards of care in outpatient settings Suicide risk assessment and behavioral health triage Medication prescribing and treatment monitoring Documentation and EMR chart review Pediatric primary care and adolescent behavioral health Dual diagnosis and substance use disorders Professional conduct and ethics in NP practice Telehealth and virtual care clinical standards Professional Experience: Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Riverside Medical Group, CA Family Nurse Practitioner, Internal Medicine and Primary Care, CA Director, PMHNP Program – Western University of Health Sciences Founder – Wellness Reimagined LLC Faculty Speaker – Advanced Practice Education Associates (APEA) Former Director, FNP Program – California Baptist University Publications & Presentations: Cotner & Spano (2025). Treatment-Resistant Depression and the T-Rex Combination. American Nurse Cotner (2024). PMHNP Review Course & Clinical Update – APEA Cotner (2024). 200 Practice Questions for PMHNP Board Prep – APEA Podium Presentations – NONPF and National DNP Conference Co-Developer – Opioid Stewardship CME Courses (Champions for Health) Education: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – CBU PMHNP Post-Master’s Certificate – Maryville University MSN, Family Nurse Practitioner – CSUDH Licensure & Certifications: Licensed NP – California, Oregon ANCC Board-Certified PMHNP AANP Board-Certified FNP DEA Licensed