Psychodermatology’s Role in Strengthening Therapeutic Connections

“Sometimes we look at psychodermatology as a sub specialty, but really, in my view, it's an approach to dermatology. It's an approach to how we treat our patients in dermatology,” said Patricia Delgado, DNP, AGPCNP, DCNP, PMHNP, in an interview at the 2025 Elevate-Derm Fall Conference.

Delgado, a triple-board certified nurse practitioner in adult-gerontology primary care, dermatology, and psychiatry at Sunrise Skin & Wellness, and the president and founder of the Sunrise NPPA Derm conference, presented at Elevate-Derm to discuss the connection between the mind, body, and skin.

Delgado outlined why she views psychodermatology not as a niche subspecialty but as a fundamental framework for dermatologic care. With dual certification in dermatology and psychiatry, she emphasized that the bidirectional relationship between the mind and skin is relevant across the full spectrum of clinical encounters, regardless of practice setting or time constraints.

Her session focused on translating psychodermatology principles into practical communication strategies that clinicians can integrate even during brief visits. She highlighted that small, intentional shifts in how clinicians engage with patients—validating concerns, acknowledging disease burden, and reinforcing partnership—can strengthen rapport and significantly influence adherence. In her view, these micro-interactions help clinicians leverage the mind–skin connection to support treatment success, particularly in chronic inflammatory disease and cosmetically sensitive conditions where psychological distress is common.

Regarding the Elevate-Derm Fall Conference, Delgado praised the collaborative environment, noting the value of PAs and NPs learning together, exchanging practice insights, and refining approaches that ultimately elevate patient care. Psychodermatology, she suggested, benefits from exactly this kind of interdisciplinary learning, as it sits at the intersection of communication, behavioral health, and medical dermatology.

The Skin and Psych Series

Delgado additionally previewed her forthcoming “Skin and Psych” video series with Dermatology Times and Psychiatric Times, which aims to formalize and expand conversations that link dermatology with psychiatry. She described the series as an overdue project for the specialty, given the extent to which psychological factors shape clinical presentation, treatment expectations, and response. By highlighting topics such as perception, human connection, illness behavior, and the neuropsychological implications of skin disease, the podcast will offer a structured venue for clinicians across disciplines to address psychodermatology openly.

She noted that concepts familiar to psychiatry, such as the placebo effect, carry meaningful implications for dermatology clinicians. The simple experience of being heard and validated can influence symptom perception and treatment response, and Delgado encouraged clinicians to consciously incorporate this understanding into routine care. As new therapeutics continue to expand options for inflammatory and immune-mediated disease, she argued that pairing these advances with strengthened clinician–patient connection may meaningfully amplify outcomes.