Recovery is more than part of Kortnie Lynch’s profession. It is also part of the perspective she brings to her work helping people struggling with mental illness and addiction.

The 44-year-old psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner owns Next Right Thing Behavioral Health, where she provides mental health and addiction treatment to individuals in the community.

“I’m passionate about helping people realize that recovery is possible and giving them the tools, hope, and support they need to build meaningful, fulfilling lives,” Kortnie says.

Professionally, Kortnie says some of her greatest rewards come from watching patients begin to move forward.

“I’m most proud of helping people find a new way to live,” she says. “Watching someone overcome addiction or mental illness and begin to thrive is incredibly rewarding.”

Through her work, Kortnie provides psychiatric and addiction treatment to individuals and families throughout Lake and Sumter counties. She also works to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and addiction by educating the community and emphasizing that recovery is possible.

Her own experiences have also shaped the way she approaches leadership and service.

“I’m deeply grateful for the people who supported me throughout my own recovery journey and continue to encourage me today,” Kortnie says. “Their belief in me has shaped the way I lead and serve others.”

Her daughter has been another major influence.

“My daughter has been my greatest inspiration,” she says. “I want her to grow up knowing that with hard work, perseverance, and compassion, she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to.”

Kortnie says being a mother is also the personal accomplishment she is most proud of.

“My daughter inspires me every day to become the best version of myself and reminds me why the work I do matters,” she says.

Even the name Next Right Thing reflects a philosophy Kortnie brings to her work. She encourages people to take the next step, or the “next right thing,” for themselves as they work toward recovery.

Her advice to future professionals and community leaders follows much the same philosophy.

“When you don’t know what to do, go help somebody,” Kortnie says. “It’s the simplest answer to almost every situation. When we focus on serving others with kindness and integrity, we often find clarity, purpose, and the next right thing to do ourselves.”