About Amy Shefftz
Focus areas
Anxiety Disorder
Depression
Postpartum Depression
Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Psychiatric Medication Management
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Clientele seen
Children (<13)
Adults (25-64)
Teenagers (13-17)
Seniors (65+)
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Treatment approaches
Motivational Interviewing
Identity
Gender
FemaleLanguages spoken
English
Getting to know Amy Shefftz
I'm Amy Shefftz, a board-certified Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specializing in children, adolescents, and young adults. With my Master's from UC San Francisco and over a decade of experience, I bring unique clinical expertise and educational background to mental health care.
My specialty is providing comprehensive psychiatric care for young people navigating today's challenges. I understand that pediatric mental health requires specialized attention, family involvement, and developmentally appropriate approaches.
My diverse background sets me apart. As a former elementary educator with Montessori training, I deeply understand child development and learning differences. This foundation informs my patient-centered approach, helping me connect with young clients and explain complex concepts age-appropriately. My experience coordinating care between teachers, therapists, and families ensures comprehensive support.
Beyond clinical work, my community involvement reflects my commitment to youth wellbeing. I volunteer with youth cycling programs, serve on AYSO's Board of Directors as Child Protection Advocate, and maintain National Ski Patrol certification. These activities keep me connected to young people's interests and challenges.
My approach emphasizes building trust, reducing stigma, and empowering families with knowledge and tools for lasting success in their mental health journey.
What should a new client know about working with you?
As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, my approach to medication management is built on comprehensive evaluation, thoughtful prescribing, and unwavering dedication to your overall well-being. I've developed my practice around helping individuals discover effective medication strategies that relieve symptoms, enhance quality of life, and support long-term health.
Delivering exceptional psychiatric care requires patience, precision, and genuine collaboration. During our initial session, I conduct an in-depth assessment exploring your current symptoms, their duration and intensity, previous treatments you've tried, complete medical history, family psychiatric history, lifestyle factors, and—most importantly—your personal goals and treatment preferences. This thorough understanding allows me to create a medication plan tailored specifically to you, rather than applying one-size-fits-all protocols.
My prescribing philosophy emphasizes starting carefully, monitoring your response closely, and making adjustments based on your individual experience. I provide clear explanations about each medication's purpose, realistic expectations for when you'll notice improvements, and which side effects warrant attention. My goal is always to help you reach your objectives using the simplest approach possible—the fewest medications at the lowest effective doses—avoiding unnecessary complexity whenever feasible.
Throughout our ongoing work together, I remain accessible and engaged, understanding that questions and concerns naturally arise between appointments. I also maintain close collaboration with your therapist and other healthcare providers to ensure your care stays comprehensive, well-coordinated, and unified across all aspects of your health. You deserve a treatment team that communicates effectively and works seamlessly together in service of your healing and growth. Together, we'll build a partnership focused on your sustained meaningful recovery.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
Every patient's journey with me begins with a comprehensive initial assessment. I take the time to truly understand your mental health background, current symptoms, and overall wellbeing—including sleep quality, appetite, energy levels, relationships, work life, and the stressors you're currently navigating. No detail is too small or unimportant, and I approach this conversation with genuine curiosity.
We'll also carefully review your complete psychiatric history: previous diagnoses, past treatments, and medications you've tried—what helped, what didn't work, and how you responded to each approach. Your medical history, family psychiatric background, and current medications all help me build a thorough and complete picture so I can recommend the most effective path forward tailored specifically to you.
My sessions combine psychiatric medication management with meaningful therapeutic conversation. We'll discuss how you're responding to treatment, which symptoms remain or have improved, and how your daily functioning and overall quality of life are evolving. I believe deeply in open dialogue and collaboration—I share my clinical reasoning clearly, explain how medications work and why I'm recommending specific options, and walk through any alternatives worth considering together.
Follow-up visits are scheduled based on your individual needs and clinical progress, typically ranging from weekly to monthly depending on your symptoms and treatment response. We track medication effectiveness using both your lived experience and standardized assessment tools when appropriate, address any side effects promptly and thoughtfully, and adjust the treatment plan as your needs and circumstances evolve over time.
If you notice changes in your symptoms, experience side effects that concern you, or face unexpected challenges, please don't hesitate to reach out—timely communication can make a significant difference in your outcomes and overall experience.
Is this doctor in your insurance network?
Enter your insurance carrier and plan
choose insurance
In-network insurances
Aetna
BlueCross BlueShield
Cigna
UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare Oxford
Education and background
Practice names
Board certifications
- American Nurses Credentialing Center
Education and training
- University of California, San Francisco, Master's in Family Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
NPI number
1184937260
How soon can I make an appointment with Amy Shefftz?
Generally, Amy Shefftz has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Amy Shefftz's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Amy Shefftz accepting new patients?
Amy Shefftz generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Amy Shefftz's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Amy Shefftz accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Amy Shefftz is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Amy Shefftz online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Amy Shefftz using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Amy Shefftz work with?
Amy Shefftz works with Personal Practitioners.
Which board certifications does Amy Shefftz have?
Amy Shefftz is certified by American Nurses Credentialing Center.
What are common reasons for patients to see Amy Shefftz?
Amy Shefftz frequently sees patients for Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Depression, New Patient Visit, Psychiatry Consultation, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Amy Shefftz on their profile.
What languages does Amy Shefftz speak?
Amy Shefftz speaks English.
Zocdoc›Adult Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioners›Amy Shefftz, APRN, RN, PMHNP, PMHNP-BC, NP