Meet Our Team

My name is Shannon Heard, and I am Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Midwest Wellness Institute. I earned both my Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from South Dakota State University. After obtaining my BSN, I worked as a Registered Nurse 12 years at Avera McKennan, primarily in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). In 2024, I obtained my Master of Science in Nursing from South Dakota State University, with board certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

I also served in the Army Reserve and South Dakota Army National Guard, for a total of 25 years, retiring in 2023.

I work with mental health issues across the lifespan, including, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance use, and personality disorders. I work primarily with the adult population and am especially passionate about working with the Veteran, Indigenous, and underserved populations. My approach to care is person-centered, collaborative, and evidence-based and I often use CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, mindfulness-based to support my clients.

I chose this profession because everyone has a story, one that isn’t always seen or easily shared, but shapes who they are. My decision to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner grew from my desire to honor those stories and meet people where they are, without judgement.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our fur-baby Rosco, traveling the world,and capturing all these memories through photography and scrapbooking. Through these activities, by taking care of myself and my mental health, I am better able and energized to support my clients.