Community Highlights: Meet Bih Bikelle of PMHNP MENTORSHIP LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bih Bikelle

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey into the world of medicine began from a deeply personal and emotional place. At just 16 years old, my father fell ill with a terminal disease, and I found myself thrust into the role of his primary caregiver. He placed an immense amount of trust in me, and I became responsible for his day-to-day care—administering medications, attending his appointments, and offering comfort in moments of vulnerability. As I spent hours by his side, I couldn’t help but notice the many others enduring similar suffering. This experience ignited within me a profound desire to alleviate that pain, not just for my father but for others.
That desire led me down the path to becoming a doctor. I began my education in Cameroon, my home country in West Africa, where pursuing medicine is an immense challenge. There is only one medical school for over 3,000 hopeful applicants each year, and only 95 are selected. My father always wanted me to be a doctor, and his expectations shaped the course of my life. Even when I achieved exceptional results, he would encourage me to push harder, to strive for even greater heights. In our household, failure was not an option.
In Africa, being a doctor is considered one of the noblest professions. It commands respect but also demands sacrifice—often requiring long hours, little pay, and unwavering dedication. It was during this time that I discovered my calling in psychiatry.
I saw the incredible need for mental health care in my community, where mental illness was often dismissed as a ‘spiritual problem.’ People would turn to traditional healers or religious leaders instead of seeking medical treatment. I witnessed the suffering caused by this mindset, and my passion extended to helping those who were struggling with mental health challenges.
In 2007, I moved to the United States to further pursue my career in psychiatry. As a psychiatrist, I specialize in assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health conditions using a combination of medications, therapy, and innovative treatments.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working in diverse settings—from psychiatric hospitals and clinics to drug and alcohol treatment centers, nursing homes, and rehabilitation facilities.
Each patient I encounter has a unique story, a unique struggle. Whether it’s in hospitals, rehab centers, or community clinics, my mission has always been clear: to promote mental health awareness and provide compassionate care. I’ve also taken on leadership roles, directing community behavioral health centers across several states. My work extends beyond treating patients—I’ve focused on outreach programs, creating policies, and developing procedures to ensure that mental health care is accessible and effective.
But my passion for mental health care doesn’t stop with my patients. I’m equally committed to supporting the medical professionals who work alongside me, particularly nurse practitioners. These highly trained nurses undergo additional education—usually about 1.5 years—in mental health care. Although skilled, many face challenges as they transition from training to practice, often struggling with self-doubt and a lack of confidence in their clinical decisions due to limited hands-on experience.
As a supervising psychiatrist, I’ve made it my mission to mentor and guide these practitioners. I help them build confidence in their clinical decisions, ensuring they feel empowered to care for their patients. By supporting these professionals, we not only improve patient outcomes but also create a ripple effect that impacts the lives of individuals with mental illness on a global scale.
My journey has been shaped by personal loss, cultural challenges, and a deep desire to help those in their most vulnerable moments. Today, I continue to learn, grow, and inspire others—patients and practitioners alike—as we work together to create a world where mental health care is accessible, understood, and valued.

In addition to my work as a psychiatrist, I’ve also created the PMHNP Mentoring Platform—a space dedicated to empowering nurse practitioners through Confidence, Collaboration, and Coaching. At PMHNPMentoring.com, we offer a range of resources, including collaborative coaching for nurse practitioners, the VINP Community, and The Dr. Bih Bikelle Academy, along with much more.
Looking back, my journey has been about more than just building a career—it’s been a calling to support others in their most vulnerable moments, just as I did for my father. Today, as a vibrant and confident physician entrepreneur, I’m proud to carry that legacy forward. My mission is to empower everyone I work with, whether it’s patients in need of care or nurse practitioners finding their confidence in this demanding field. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve, ensuring that mental health care continues to grow and thrive.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Becoming a doctor is an incredible journey, but it comes with its fair share of challenges. One of the hardest parts? Always putting others first. As a physician, I was trained to make clinical decisions objectively, but the reality is, I’m human too. I feel deeply and connect with my patients and their families. Whether I’m met with kindness or frustration, I’ve learned that taking the moral high ground is essential—but it’s not always easy.

Transitioning from Africa to the U.S. added a new layer of complexity. Imagine not only adjusting to a different climate but also to an entirely new culture—everything from the food to the way people dress felt different. In addition to facing communication challenges.
My accent was often difficult for patients, families, and colleagues to understand, making it a daily struggle. And as a Black woman in professional spaces, being politely assertive was sometimes misinterpreted as aggression, which was disheartening.
Balancing it all—as a mother of three, an entrepreneur, and a physician—sometimes feels like an impossible juggling act. The key has been learning to set healthy boundaries, whether with patients, friends, or family. Creating those clear lines has allowed me to be fully present in whatever role I’m in, without feeling stretched too thin.
Mindset, though, has been my biggest obstacle as an entrepreneur. The fear of failure can be paralyzing. I’ve doubted myself, wondering if people would sign up for my programs or believe in my ideas. While I’m highly educated as a doctor, I’ve learned it’s okay not to know everything. I realized I needed help, so I sought out a coach. Having someone to support and guide me through moments of uncertainty made all the difference.
To every medical professional or aspiring entrepreneur reading this: You don’t have to go through this journey alone. Seek support from a mentor and/or coach, embrace learning, and remember that every challenge you face is shaping you into a stronger version of yourself.

As you know, we’re big fans of PMHNP MENTORSHIP LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
A Synopsis overview of Me, My Services, and Professional Brand Offerings

What should we know about your business?
PMHNP Mentorship LLC was founded over five years ago with a mission to empower Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) to thrive in their careers. My approach goes beyond traditional mentorship, focusing on building lasting confidence, fostering collaboration, and reshaping the future of mental health care.
PMHNP Mentorship LLC specializes in building Confidence, fostering Collaboration, and providing expert Coaching for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs). Founded with a clear mission to empower PMHNPs to excel in their careers and deliver exceptional patient care, our mentorship goes beyond the traditional model. We focus on cultivating lasting confidence, encouraging meaningful collaboration, and reshaping the future of mental health care through personalized, hands-on guidance.

What do you specialize in / What are you known for?

I’m known as the PSYCH NP MENTOR specializing in comprehensive mentorship and collaboration agreements for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs). With over 11 years of clinical experience, I offer a depth of knowledge that sets my mentorship apart. I simplify complex psychiatric concepts, making them easily digestible, and provide hands-on, real-time guidance to help PMHNPs navigate their professional challenges. My approach is highly personalized and responsive, tailored to the unique needs of each practitioner, ensuring they have the support and confidence to excel in their careers.
What sets you apart from others?
What sets me apart is my depth of experience and personal investment in the success of the PMHNPs I mentor. Unlike other physicians who stretch themselves across many collaboration agreements, I work with a select few, ensuring they always have access to the support they need. I also offer collaboration agreements in states where PMHNPs require supervising physicians, which is something most PMHNP mentors cannot provide. My approach is highly personalized, ensuring continuous support, real-time feedback, and hands-on teaching.
What are you most proud of, brand-wise?
I am most proud of my Psych NP Accelerator, a six-step blueprint designed to build confidence and clinical decision-making skills in PMHNPs. Additionally, my VINP Community fosters a safe and supportive environment where nurse practitioners can share experiences, grow professionally, and connect with their peers. These initiatives are at the core of my brand and serve as powerful tools for elevating the confidence and skills of PMHNPs.
What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, and services?
At PMHNP Mentorship LLC, I offer a variety of services designed to meet the needs of today’s busy mental health professionals.
These include collaboration agreements, the Psych NP Accelerator program, access to The Dr. Bih Bikelle Academy for 24/7 practical education. The Academy offers mini bite sized recordings you can listen to anytime & anywhere, and my Dr. Hours Live, a weekly case consultation session.
My goal is to ensure that PMHNPs receive the mentorship, guidance, and collaborative support they need to provide exceptional care to their patients. At the heart of my work are the core values of Collaboration, Coaching, and Confidence—three pillars that drive everything I do to help PMHNPs succeed and make a lasting impact in the field of mental health care.

What are your plans for the future?
Dr. Bikelle’s Plans and Vision for Change
My journey has always been driven by a deep passion to empower others. By fostering collaboration, education, and community building, I aim to uplift and guide Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in their professional growth. Here’s a snapshot of what I’m currently doing and my vision for the future:
Collaborative Services with NPs
I’m currently working closely with Nurse Practitioners (NPs) to help them assess, diagnose, and treat patients within their scope of practice. This collaboration has sparked an even greater vision—to create an educational center that elevates NPs to the next level of expertise. My goal is to provide an environment where these professionals can excel, refine their skills, and build thriving practices.
The Dr. Bih BIkelle Academy: Education Elevation 24/7
Recognizing that NPs are often on the go and rarely confined to an office, I launched an academy that goes beyond a traditional online course. It’s a 24/7 platform offering bite-sized, digestible educational content designed to fit seamlessly into busy schedules. Featuring signature podcasts like ‘Defining Your Lane’ and ‘Unshakeable Confidence’, the academy ensures that learning remains accessible and manageable for all. This is especially vital for those who may not have access to traditional collaboration services—because professional growth should never be limited by financial constraints.
The VINP Community: A Supportive Space for Nurse Practitioners
To further this mission, I founded the VINP (Very Important Nurse Practitioner) Community—an inclusive, judgment-free zone where NPs can learn, grow, and support one another. It’s not just a platform, but a thriving network where members share experiences, gain critical insights, and build the unshakeable confidence they need to succeed. In this space, NPs can elevate their practice, knowing they are never alone on their journey.
Dr. Hours Live with Dr. Bih Bikelle: Weekly Case Consultations & Trending Topics
Every Wednesday from 6-7 pm EST, I host Dr. Hour, a complimentary session covering trending topics in mental health and offering case consultations to help NPs sharpen their skills. It’s a highly interactive and supportive environment where questions are welcomed, and empowerment is at the forefront. Through these sessions, NPs gain practical knowledge and confidence as they navigate the complexities of mental health care.

Looking Toward the Future
Public Speaking: Empowering the Next Generation of Medical Professionals
I am actively refining my public speaking skills, with the goal of inspiring others in the medical field by sharing my journey and lessons learned. My aim is to teach fellow professionals how to avoid common pitfalls, where to focus their energy, and how to secure their place at the table. Through keynote speaking and panel discussions, I hope to empower others to take control of their careers and unlock their full potential.
Medical Conferences, Workshops & Women’s Organizations
Aligned with my mission to uplift, I am focused on organizing conferences and workshops that elevate women in the medical profession. I want to create safe, inspiring spaces where female NPs can come together, gain new insights, and inspire one another to rise. These events will be designed to foster both personal and professional growth, empowering women to lead with confidence and passion.
Annual Retreats for Women NPs
Looking ahead, I’m excited to launch yearly retreats specifically designed for women NPs. These retreats will offer a perfect blend of workshops, networking opportunities, and relaxation—providing a much-needed space to recharge and gain fresh perspectives. It will be an empowering experience for women to reignite their passion, connect with others, and advance their careers.

With these projects in motion, my vision is to continue expanding the support I provide to NPs and aspiring medical professionals. I am committed to pushing boundaries and creating inclusive spaces where every NP can thrive. The future holds incredible opportunities to uplift and elevate this professional community—and I couldn’t be more excited for what lies ahead.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pmhnpmentorship.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/thepsychnpmentor
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/pABmuTHmVyrbeWD1/?mibextid=qi2Omg
• Other: https://linktr.ee/thepsychnpmentor

Image Credits
Berny Francois