West Des Moines

With baccalaureate degrees in Social Work (TCU 1996) and Nursing (Mercy College of Health Sciences 2015), I chose to seek my Master’s Degree in Nursing (Walden 2020). I have provided assessment and skilled intervention with patients and families for more than 25 years. I have extensive experience working in the acute inpatient, outpatient, and in-homes settings.

I am board certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I provide medication management services for patients age 3 through adulthood while employing cognitive behavioral and supportive psychotherapy strategies to help patients achieve mental health wellness goals. I will work collaboratively with members of your treatment team including primary care providers, therapists, and school teams to ensure continuity of care. Special areas of interest include: depression, anxiety, PTSD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder management.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outside, listening to acoustic music, and spending time with my family and dogs.

With over 10 years of experience in inpatient and residential mental health nursing, I’ve been a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) for the past 2 years. I specialize in working with adults and older teens, driven by a deep passion for addressing the often-overlooked challenges of mental illness. My commitment is to empower individuals to live the fulfilling lives they deserve.

My initial background was in a correctional setting. I also have experience in Medication-Assisted Treatment, Autism, ADHD, and Psychosis. Working in the prison system, I was on the front lines of the mental health service shortage and was motivated to return to school, obtain my Master of Science in Nursing, and work in Community Psychiatry.

Christina is a board-certified Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, licensed to diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication for children, adolescents, and adults. She brings years of experience from both outpatient and inpatient mental health settings, along with a broad medical background. Christina is passionate about helping individuals optimize their mental health by treating the whole person, which includes supporting physical health and wellness. Her practice is guided by core principles of empathy, respect, and lifelong learning, and she works collaboratively with your treatment team, including your medical provider, specialists, and therapist, to ensure continuity of care.

Christina’s extensive education includes an Associate Degree in Nursing from Mercy College of Health Sciences (2001), a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Upper Iowa University (2007), and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of South Alabama (2013). She is officially board-certified as a Family Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center, reflecting her commitment to high standards of care.

I began working in the mental health field 15 years ago. My decision to become a therapist stemmed from two and a half years spent at an orphanage in Africa, where I witnessed firsthand how deeply trauma can affect the development of our brains and bodies. This experience led me to dedicate my life to understanding how experiences impact individuals, and to helping people create new neural pathways to build themselves up stronger. I am LGBTQ+ affirming and specialize in working with clients experiencing life changes, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and trauma.