Shayla Buckler

Shayla Buckler, DNP, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Assistant Clinical Professor of Nursing. With more than 20 years of experience spanning clinical practice, healthcare leadership, and nursing education, she is dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric care to adolescents and adults.

Dr. Buckler specializes in comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and the treatment of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, ADHD, and substance use disorders. Using a holistic, trauma-informed approach, she recognizes the connection between physical and mental health and develops individualized treatment plans that address each patient's unique needs, goals, and overall well-being.

She conducts thorough psychiatric assessments, manages psychotropic medications, and collaborates closely with therapists, primary care providers, and other healthcare professionals to ensure coordinated, patient-centered care. Dr. Buckler is passionate about empowering patients and families through psychoeducation, crisis intervention, and ongoing support while helping individuals build the skills necessary to achieve long-term recovery and successfully integrate into their communities.

Patient safety and clinical excellence remain at the center of her work. She is committed to utilizing current evidence-based guidelines and promoting medication safety while continually advancing best practices in psychiatric care. Dr. Buckler earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and a Post-Master's Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to improving access to quality mental healthcare, particularly for underserved populations, while advocating for equitable, compassionate, and culturally responsive care.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Buckler serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Nursing at The University of Texas at Arlington and holds adjunct faculty appointments at The University of Texas at Tyler and Tarrant County College. She is actively involved in curriculum development, clinical instruction, and mentoring the next generation of nurses in psychiatric mental health, women's health, and population health. Her educational philosophy emphasizes bridging evidence-based practice with real-world clinical application, fostering critical thinking, promoting leadership, and preparing future nurses to deliver exceptional patient-centered care.

Whether caring for patients in the clinic or mentoring future healthcare professionals in the classroom, Dr. Buckler is committed to improving mental health outcomes through compassionate care, education, advocacy, and lifelong learning.