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)
Individuals
Young adults (18-24)
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?
My approach to psychiatric medication management is grounded in thorough evaluation, purposeful prescribing, and an unwavering commitment to your well-being. As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I have built my practice around helping individuals find effective medication strategies that ease symptoms while supporting overall health and quality of life. Exceptional psychiatric care demands patience, precision, and genuine partnership.
During our first session, I will conduct a detailed assessment covering your current symptoms, their duration and severity, prior treatments, medical history, family psychiatric background, lifestyle factors, and — most importantly — your personal goals and preferences. This comprehensive picture allows me to develop a medication plan shaped around your specific needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
My prescribing philosophy centers on starting conservatively, monitoring your response carefully, and adjusting based on how you personally respond. I am transparent about what each medication is intended to achieve, realistic timelines for noticing improvement, and which side effects warrant close attention. My aim is always to reach your goals using the fewest medications at the lowest effective doses, minimizing unnecessary complexity whenever possible.
Throughout our work together, I remain accessible and engaged, understanding that questions often arise between visits. Your observations about how treatment is affecting you — whether encouraging or concerning — directly inform our decisions. Open, ongoing communication keeps us aligned and allows for timely, thoughtful adjustments.
I also collaborate closely with your therapist and other healthcare providers to ensure your care is comprehensive, well-coordinated, and cohesive across every dimension of your health. You deserve a team that communicates and works together on your behalf.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
Every patient’s journey begins with a comprehensive initial assessment. I take time to truly understand your mental health background, current symptoms, and overall wellbeing — including sleep, appetite, energy, relationships, work life, and the stressors you are navigating. No detail is too small, and I approach this conversation with genuine curiosity rather than any rigid checklist.
We will also carefully review your full psychiatric history: previous diagnoses, past treatments, and medications you have tried — what helped, what did not, and how you responded. Your medical history, family psychiatric background, and current prescriptions all help me build a complete picture so I can recommend the most effective path forward. Understanding where you have been is just as important as truly knowing where you want to go.
My sessions bring together psychiatric medication management and meaningful therapeutic conversation. We will talk about how you are responding to treatment, which symptoms remain, and how your daily functioning is evolving. I believe deeply in open dialogue — I share my clinical reasoning, explain how medications work and why I am recommending them, and walk through any alternatives worth considering. Your questions are always welcome, and my goal is for you to leave every appointment feeling genuinely informed and fully confident in your care. You deserve clarity.
Follow-up visits are scheduled based on your individual needs, typically ranging from weekly to monthly. We track medication effectiveness using both your lived experience and standardized tools, address side effects promptly, and adjust the plan as your needs evolve. Between appointments, I remain accessible — if you notice changes in your symptoms or side effects that concern you, please reach out rather than waiting. Timely communication genuinely leads to better outcomes. The care I provide does not pause between visits, and neither does my commitment to your progress.
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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