Psychiatry for Children, Adolescents & Adults

Thoughtful, individualized medication management to support mental health, development, and everyday life across the lifespan.

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How We Can Help

Medication management and innovative treatment options for a wide range of mental health needs.

ADHD & Autism

Support for attention, focus, and executive functioning.

Anxiety

Reduce worry, build coping skills, and improve daily functioning.

Mood Concerns

Support for depression, mood regulation, and emotional well-being.

Behavioral Concerns

Individualized strategies to support behaviors, impulse control, and emotional regulation.

Innovative Treatments

Spravato for treatment-resistant depression (available at our Ames office).

What Makes Our Psychiatry Services Different

Individualized Care

Thoughtful, personalized treatment plans that consider each person’s unique needs, goals, and life context.

All Ages, All Stages

We provide medication management for children, adolescents, and adults across the lifespan.

Collaborative Approach

We work closely with families, therapists, schools, and other providers as part of a comprehensive plan.

Evidence-Based

We use current, evidence-based treatments tailored to each individual’s needs.

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Ongoing Support for Real Life

Our psychiatric providers take the time to listen, understand your goals, and develop a treatment plan that fits your unique needs. We support a wide range of mental health concerns and work with you over time to monitor progress and make adjustments as needed.

An Innovative Option for Treatment-Resistant Depression

For individuals who have not found relief with traditional treatments for depression, Spravato may be an option. Spravato is a prescription nasal spray administered in a supportive, comfortable setting at our Ames office. Our team will help determine if Spravato is an appropriate option based on your individual needs.

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Ready to Take the Next Step?

Start by completing our brief Interest Form. We’ll follow up within 3 business days regarding availability and next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Medication management is the process of meeting with a mental health professional who is trained on medication effectiveness and how it relates to each specific patient and diagnosis. Part of this process includes an initial consultation, changes/adjustments in prescriptions (if needed), and continuous monitoring.

Yes! The provider will collaborate with the client and family to determine an appropriate treatment plan that addresses symptoms. If the provider, client and/or family agree that a medication may be beneficial, you will be provided with important information regarding possible benefits or side effects, as well as a follow-up plan. The provider will only offer a prescription if the family agrees.

We offer medication management services for children, adolescents, and young adults, ages 4 to 30. Additionally, we provide Spravato treatments for adults 18 and older.

AETNA, Blue Cross Blue Shield/Wellmark, HealthPartners, Iowa Total Care, Midland’s Choice/Cigna, Molina Healthcare, Optum (United Healthcare/UMR), Wellpoint (formerly Amerigroup), and Cash Pay.

Our nurse practitioners are licensed to practice in Iowa and can only provide services to clients who are physically located within the state of Iowa at the time of their appointment.

We take an individualized, clinical approach to marijuana use. Factors we consider include:

– Frequency and amount of use
– Impact on mood, anxiety, and overall functioning
– Interaction with current or planned treatments

In most cases, marijuana use will not affect your eligibility for care. In others, particularly when considering treatments like Spravato, we may recommend reducing or discontinuing use to support safety and effectiveness.

Our goal is to work collaboratively with you to determine the safest and most appropriate plan.

This varies depending on a variety of factors, including the age of the client, presenting concerns and medication(s) prescribed. It is most common when starting a new medication to have a brief follow-up after 2 weeks. Once the right dosage of medication has been identified and minimal changes are being made, a common follow-up schedule is every 3 months.

 Yes, your child must attend every appointment. It is equally important that a parent be present to provide necessary information and ensure that both the child and parents have an appropriate understanding of the treatment plan and any follow-up instructions given.

Yes! Many of our clients find the convenience of telehealth sessions ideal for their busy schedules. Telehealth also makes it easier for children to participate in their appointments. *Please be aware that you are required to be physically present in Iowa for all appointments.

At times, lab tests might be suggested to get a full picture of a patient’s health and to identify any hidden medical conditions that could be affecting their mental well-being. Pharmacogenetic testing, such as Genesight, which predicts medication response based on genetics, may also be utilized. However, it is important to note that the FDA does not universally recommend this type of testing for guiding prescribing decisions due to insufficient scientific evidence. Our provider may suggest pharmacogenetic testing after a client has unsuccessfully tried several evidence-based treatment options.

Spravato is a nasal spray medication used along with a regular antidepressant to help adults who haven’t had success with other treatments and are struggling with serious depression and thoughts of self-harm. It’s given in our office, where you’re monitored and supported throughout the process. One of our providers will meet with you for an intake appointment to learn more about your history and see if Spravato might be a good fit.

Our priority is providing safe and effective treatment. In some cases, we may recommend continuing with your current provider before starting care with us.

This may include:
Use of medications that increase sedation risk (such as higher-dose benzodiazepines like lorazepam)
Active substance use or recent positive drug screens for certain substances
Medical or psychiatric factors that require a different level of care

If any of these apply, we will clearly explain next steps and when you may be eligible to return.

Our Psychiatry Team

Emily-Black

Emily Black, PMHNP-BC
Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Kim-Reese

Kim Reese, PMHNP-BC
Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Sandy-Scholten

Sandy Scholten, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner

Caitlin Schmitt, RN

Caitlin Schmitt, RN
Registered Nurse