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 built on thorough evaluation, purposeful prescribing, and an unwavering commitment to your well-being. As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I have dedicated my practice to helping individuals find effective medication strategies that relieve symptoms while supporting overall health and quality of life. Exceptional psychiatric care requires 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 you have explored, medical history, family psychiatric background, lifestyle factors, and most importantly, your personal goals and preferences for care. This comprehensive understanding allows me to develop a medication plan built around your specific needs rather than defaulting to a one-size-fits-all approach.
My prescribing philosophy is centered on starting medications conservatively, monitoring your response carefully, and making adjustments based on how you personally respond. I am transparent about what we hope to achieve with each medication, realistic timelines for noticing improvement, and which side effects deserve our attention. I believe in using the fewest medications at the lowest effective doses to reach your goals, avoiding unnecessary complexity whenever possible.
Throughout our work together, I remain accessible and engaged, knowing that questions often arise between visits. I welcome your observations about how treatment is affecting you — whether positive or concerning — as this directly informs our decisions. Open communication keeps us aligned and allows for timely, thoughtful changes.
I also collaborate closely with your therapist and other healthcare providers to ensure your care is comprehensive, well-coordinated, and cohesive across every aspect of your health.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
Every patient's journey begins with a thorough initial assessment. I gather detailed information about your mental health background, current symptoms, and overall wellbeing — including sleep, appetite, energy, relationships, work life, and the stressors you're currently managing. No area is too small to mention, and I approach this conversation with genuine curiosity rather than a checklist mentality.
We'll also review your full psychiatric history: previous diagnoses, past treatments, and the medications you've tried — what helped, what didn't, and how your body and mind responded. Your medical background, family psychiatric history, and current prescriptions all contribute to building the complete picture I need to understand your situation clearly and recommend the most effective path forward.
My sessions weave psychiatric medication management together with meaningful therapeutic conversation. We'll discuss how you're responding to treatment, which symptoms persist, and how your everyday functioning is evolving. I believe in open, honest dialogue — I share my clinical reasoning, explain how medications work and why I'm recommending them, and walk through any alternatives worth considering. Your questions and concerns are always welcome, and I want you to leave every appointment feeling genuinely informed and confident in your care — not simply handed a prescription and sent on your way.
Follow-up appointments are scheduled based on your individual needs, typically ranging from weekly to monthly. During these visits, we track medication effectiveness using both your personal experience and standardized assessment tools, address side effects without delay, and adjust the treatment plan as the clinical picture evolves. Between appointments, I remain accessible — if you notice changes in your symptoms or experience side effects that concern you, please reach out rather than waiting for your next scheduled visit. Prompt communication leads to better outcomes.
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