Why I Am Passionate About Mental Health

One area of my practice I am absolutely passionate about is utilizing an integrative approach to treat mental health. My own personal experience with depression definitely contributes to this passion to help others. However, more than anything else, I cherish being able to help clients come through the depths of suffering that mental illness can bring. Mental illness is more prevalent now than ever in our society, and has been severely aggravated by the COVID pandemic. I see so many people suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD and more. I commonly hear clients express that they are feeling overwhelmed, irritable, deeply saddened, and having difficulty coping with daily life. Many feel a sense of deep fatigue or low motivation as well.

An Individualized Plan Is Best

I am deeply committed to is designing an individualized mental health treatment plan for each client I work with. Each person experiences mental illness in their own unique way. For this reason, it is important, to design a unique treatment approach in order to maximize the chance for success and wellness.

Integrative Medicine

I practice using a variety of mental health treatment techniques. My practice offers traditional mental health care, holistic health care, functional medicine, and energy healing. This combining of techniques is called Integrative Medicine. Integrative Medicine encompasses blending traditional medical practices with evidence based complementary and alternative practices. This type of blending of treatment strategies is often the path I feel is best for the individuals I treat. Following is a description of the 3 types of approaches I utilize either separately or blended when treating mental illness.

Traditional Mental Health Treatment

What is Traditional Mental Health?

Traditional mental health treatment consists of a combination of prescribed medications along with behavioral health therapy. I have practiced this time tested approach with my clients for many years. I am very comfortable diagnosing and treating common mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, post partum depression, and PTSD. It is a joy to see people get better with the traditional approach, and I am witness to this daily. This approach is well supported in science. There is a wealth of scientific research evidence to support both the medications and the behavioral therapies typically prescribed.

My Experience with Traditional Mental Health Treatment

Traditional mental health treatment has helped me personally. You can read about my experience with depression here. I can honestly say that the combination of prescription medications and behvairoal therapy saved me at many points along my life path. For this I am truly grateful.

My Telepsychiatry Practice

As a nurse practitioner, my role is to diagnose, prescribe treatment, and monitor treatment. I am a contracted provider with Cerebral which is a telepsychiatry online platform. Through Cerebral, you can meet with me virtually for these services in the comfort of your own home. Cerebral uses a science based team approach and offers counseling and/or therapy sessions to all clients.

If you would like to work with me through Cerebral and use your insurance to pay for these services, you can follow my link HERE to get started.

Functional Medicine for Mental Health

What is Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine is a holistic scientific approach to finding the root cause of illness or symptoms. In the case of mental health, functional medicine can be truly amazing. I have used this approach to treat many clients. And I have experienced the amazing effects of this type of approach myself. Functional medicine is an amazing treatment approach for mental health. It can be used alone or in conjunction with traditional mental health treatments.

How Does Functional Medicine Work?

In the functional medicine approach to mental health, clients go through a series of tests that reveal the health of the gut microbiome, the status of hormone balance/hormone metabolism, and a detailed nutritional evaluation. These tests can reveal the underlying causes of the mental health problems, and a blueprint for treatment is the outcome. Treatment commonly involves focus on lifestyle through nutrition/diet, activity, sleep, mindfulness practices, stress reduction, and supplements (vitamins, antioxidants, herbals, probiotics/prebiotics, minerals, etc.).

My Personal Experience with Functional Medicine for Depression

Functional medicine is a fascinating approach and so very simple. This approach allowed me to ultimately stop needing my prescription antidepressant medication which I had taken for 15 years! If you would like to work with me to support your mental health through a functional medicine approach, you can schedule a FREE consultation HERE.

Reiki and Mental Health

What is Reiki and How Does It Work?

Reiki is a spiritual and energy based practice that can support healing of the body, mind and spirit. It is a non invasive, very gentle method of healing that supports the body into a state of deep relaxation. When the body is deeply relaxed, the nervous system operates from a parasympathetic mode (rest and digest) rather than a sympathetic mode (fight, flee, flight). When the body operates from a parasympathetic state, it is allowed to heal on all levels.

What Are Reiki Sessions Like?

Reiki is a beautiful way to achieve a sense of calm, peace and relaxation. The soothing treatments are 60-90 minutes in my practice. I perform sessions both in person in my Reiki studio and also virtually. You can read more about the details of my Reiki treatments HERE.

My Personal Experience with Reiki

I have benefitted from Reiki practice personally on many levels, including in my mental health. My daily self treatments have allowed me new insight into who I am at my very essence. And this awareness has encouraged me to embody more of my true nature in daily life. It has been a magical experience to witness how the gentle practice of Reiki can allow an unfolding of the spirit. And more so, how this unfolding can transform day-to-day living by allowing more authenticity. By becoming more aware of our true nature or essence, we are able to support healing to all aspects of the human being including the physical body, the mind, and the spirit.

Reiki to Support Mental Health

I commonly offer Reiki sessions to support mental health. Many clients report a significant decrease in anxiety, worry, irritability, and depression. Clients report more trust in themselves, a deeper sense of harmony both physically and mentally, and more gratitude. They often endorse a heightened awareness of consciousness, and more lovingkindness both towards themselves and to others. All of these benefits that come from Reiki sessions, support healing on many levels. If you would like to experience Reiki for yourself, schedule a Reiki session with me. You can access my Reiki schedule HERE.

I truly believe that an integrative approach to mental wellness is the way to go. With this type of approach, clients can benefit from an individualized approach utilizing a blend of traditional medical practices along with more holistic science based approaches and complementary alternative practices such as Reiki energy healing. If this approach resonates with you, please feel free to contact me, and I would love to hear your thoughts or answer any questions you have. Take care! Kimberly