Meet Our Team

My name is Megan Derenge and I am a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at Midwest Wellness Institute. I earned a Master of Arts in pastoral counseling from Liberty University and a Master of Science in Nursing from South Dakota State University with certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

I work with mental issues across the lifespan, often including people with trauma, depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism and dementia. I work with children as young as four years old as well as older adults in nursing home facilities. I also have experience with veterans, rural communities via telehealth, and with the Native American population. My approach to care is person-based and evidence-supported. Each client is as unique as their fingerprints! My aim is to build a trusting relationship with each person and provide support, education, and guidance in navigating mental health and taking the “next right steps.” I often use motivational interviewing, CBT, and evidence-based interventions to support my clients.

I chose this profession because I believe “mental health” is really about the human experience and its impact on everyone, myself included. I believe trauma (an experience causing an intense and sustained emotional response) is the root of many mental health problems, so I’ve always been passionate about exploring this and the connection between the brain, body, and emotions. As a Christian, I find it most rewarding to sit and walk with people the way I feel Jesus does with me. I also love harassing my coworkers.

Outside of work, I enjoy talking to my cats (Mr. Pickles and Miss Mayo), talking about my cats, taking pictures of my cats, and thinking about my cats. I love listening to and making music (I’ve played the clarinet for 20+ years!) I enjoy being involved with my church, a local woodwind ensemble, trivia nights, and talking to my eight siblings and some long-suffering friends who help me stay balanced and energized to support my clients.