Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Cutcher.
Hi Christina , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m Christina Cutcher, a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and founder of Beyond The Ribbon Psychiatric Care. During my years in oncology, I often saw how mental health took a backseat from the moment of diagnosis through treatment and survivorship. I started BTR to change that—to offer a space where patients, survivors, and families feel seen, supported, and understood. Through supportive care and mindful medication management, I help people navigate the emotional side of healing, not just the physical.
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?
Not at all—it’s been a winding road, but one I wouldn’t trade. I went back to graduate school at 44, with two kids in school, working full time, and in the middle of a pandemic. It wasn’t easy juggling work, school, and family, but I knew it was the right path and exactly where I was meant to be.
I’d spent years in oncology seeing how often mental health was overlooked from the moment of diagnosis, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that we could do better. That calling led me to pursue my psychiatric nurse practitioner degree so I could be part of the solution. Building Beyond The Ribbon has had its challenges, but every setback has reminded me that purpose doesn’t always follow the easiest path—it follows the one you’re meant to take.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Beyond the Ribbon Psychiatric Care?
Beyond the Ribbon Psychiatric Care was created to meet a need I saw over and over again in oncology—patients receiving excellent medical care but little support for their mental health. At BTR, we focus on treating the whole person, not just the diagnosis.
I specialize in working with patients, survivors, and families whose lives have been touched by cancer, along with others facing anxiety, depression, or major life changes. So much of this work is about listening and helping people feel safe enough to heal. Through a thoughtful blend of medication support and genuine human connection, I aim to make treatment feel less clinical and more like a conversation that restores hope—and helps people find their way back to the road they were traveling before life handed them a ticket they never asked for..
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that BTR represents hope, empathy, and courage. The “ribbon” symbolizes awareness, but beyond the ribbon is where the real emotional healing begins. My goal is for every patient to feel seen, heard, and supported through all stages of their journey—from diagnosis to survivorship and beyond.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Knoxville is home, and I’m grateful to be part of a community filled with talented and compassionate healthcare professionals who truly collaborate to meet the needs of our patients. There’s a shared sense of purpose here that makes the work even more meaningful. I also love being surrounded by the beauty of the mountains and the balance of small-town charm with big-city opportunity—it really is the best of both worlds.
What I like least? The never-ending construction and traffic. I’m convinced if there’s a road in Knoxville that isn’t under construction, I just haven’t found it yet.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.btrpsych.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BTRpsych
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-cutcher-69888615
