Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Miller.
Hi Barbara, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
The Story of APN Behavioral Healthcare: A Legacy of Compassion and Growth
In 2002, Barbara Miller, a visionary nurse practitioner with a deep commitment to mental health care, planted the first seed of what would become APN Behavioral Healthcare. With nothing more than a rented room in a doctor’s office and a one-day-a-week schedule, Barbara began her journey. Balancing her own budding practice while working alongside a psychiatrist in Plano, she steadily grew her presence in Waxahachie.
Barbara’s dedication paid off—year by year, she expanded her practice by adding one more day of service. Her focus was never on speed, but on building something meaningful, sustainable, and community-driven. As the needs of her patients grew, so did her resolve to create a space that reflected the dignity and care they deserved.
Eventually, she purchased a charming Victorian home just off Main Street in Waxahachie. With careful renovation, this historical house was transformed into the permanent home of APN Behavioral Healthcare. The home, now protected by the historical society, stands as a symbol of both Barbara’s respect for the past and her commitment to the future of mental health services in Ellis County.
Over the past two decades, APN Behavioral Healthcare has grown from a single-provider practice into one of the largest psychiatric care providers in Waxahachie and its surrounding areas. What began as one woman’s dream is now a thriving center of healing and support, offering a full spectrum of psychiatric services.
In 2024, APN was honored to be named Ellis County’s Best Psychiatric Practice, a testament to the trust and appreciation of the community we serve.
Today, APN Behavioral Healthcare is proud to host a dedicated team of professionals:
Barbara Miller, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Shelly Keough, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Christina Shay, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Amber Ebner, PA-C, specializing in psychiatry
Lindsay Whitman, LPC
Together, they continue Barbara’s mission to provide compassionate, evidence-based mental health care for individuals and families across Ellis County.
Notably, at the time of its founding, APN was one of only two nurse practitioner-owned small businesses in the entire state of Texas. This pioneering spirit remains at the heart of the organization today.
As we look to the future, we remain committed to serving the evolving mental health needs of our community with the same passion, integrity, and care that defined our beginnings.
APN Behavioral Healthcare – Over 20 Years of Excellence in Psychiatric Care.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
APN Behavioral Healthcare has enjoyed a mostly smooth journey, with only a few bumps along the way—primarily related to the ongoing repairs and renovations of its beloved Victorian home.
Barbara Miller has always been deeply committed to preserving the historical integrity of the building. Her goal has been to maintain its original charm and character while thoughtfully incorporating modern updates, including making the space fully handicap accessible. Striking the right balance between preservation and progress has been a labor of love—but one that reflects Barbara’s vision and dedication to both the community and the legacy of the space.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about APN Behavioral Healthcare?
At APN Behavioral Healthcare, our mission is simple: to provide compassionate, high-quality psychiatric care and counseling services to individuals and families in a rural, medically underserved area.
We are proud to serve Ellis County and the surrounding communities, offering both medication management and counseling under one roof. Our practice is grounded in the belief that mental health care should be accessible, respectful, and personalized—regardless of where you live.
What truly sets us apart is our team of highly trained and deeply dedicated mental health professionals. Our team includes psychiatric nurse practitioners, a physician assistant, and a licensed professional counselor—all working collaboratively to treat the whole individual, not just symptoms. We believe in a holistic, team-based approach that addresses emotional, psychological, and physical aspects of mental health.
Our providers—Barbara Miller, Shelly Keough, Christina Shay, Amber Ebner, and Lindsay Whitman—bring a diverse range of expertise and specialties to the table. This allows us to offer comprehensive care across the lifespan, with a focus on building long-term, trusting relationships with our patients.
In 2024, we were honored to be voted Best Psychiatric Practice in Ellis County—a recognition that means so much to us because it came from the very community we are privileged to serve.
We’re also proud to operate out of a beautifully restored historic Victorian home just off Main Street in Waxahachie. The building reflects our values: honoring tradition while embracing progress. It’s a welcoming space that feels more like a home than a clinic—because healing happens best in places where people feel safe, seen, and supported.
We want readers to know that APN Behavioral Healthcare is here, we care, and we’re ready to walk alongside you on your mental health journey. Whether you need medication management, counseling, or both, we offer expert care in a warm, collaborative environment.
How do you think about happiness?
At APN Behavioral Healthcare, what makes us happiest is seeing our patients thrive.
There is no greater reward than watching someone reclaim their life, find hope again, or take that first brave step toward healing. Whether it’s a young adult managing anxiety, a parent finding balance, or a senior receiving support for depression, every success—big or small—reminds us why we do what we do.
Serving a rural, medically underserved area brings added purpose to our work. We know that access to mental health care can be limited in smaller communities, and we’re proud to be a reliable, compassionate resource for the people of Ellis County and beyond.
Pricing:
- We accept BCBS, Aetna, UHC, and Cigna.
- Self-pay rates are also available.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.apnbehavioralhealthcare.com
- Instagram: @apnbehavioralhealthcarellc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APNBehavioralHealthcare/
