About Amy Shefftz
Focus areas
Anxiety Disorder
Depression
Psychiatric Medication Management
Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Medication Management
Social Anxiety
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Phobia
Clientele seen
Children (<13)
Seniors (65+)
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Adults (25-64)
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 who specializes in children, adolescents, and young adults. With my Master's from UC San Francisco and more than a decade of experience, I offer a distinctive blend of clinical expertise and educational background in mental health care.
My focus is delivering comprehensive psychiatric care for young people facing today's challenges. I recognize that pediatric mental health calls for specialized attention, family involvement, and developmentally appropriate strategies. Whether a child is struggling with anxiety, ADHD, mood changes, or behavioral concerns, I take the time to listen carefully, gather a full picture, and develop a treatment plan tailored to their specific needs and stage of development.
What sets me apart is my diverse background. As a former elementary educator with Montessori training, I have a deep understanding of child development and learning differences. This foundation shapes my patient-centered approach, allowing me to connect naturally with young clients and break down complex concepts in age-appropriate, easy-to-understand ways. My experience coordinating care among teachers, therapists, and families ensures well-rounded support.
Outside of clinical work, my community involvement reflects a genuine commitment to youth wellbeing. I volunteer with youth cycling programs, serve on AYSO's Board of Directors as Child Protection Advocate, and hold National Ski Patrol certification. These activities keep me closely connected to the interests, experiences, and real-world challenges young people face every day.
My approach centers on building trust, reducing stigma, and equipping families with the knowledge and tools for lasting success on their mental health journey. I want every young person and family who walks through my door to feel heard, supported, and confident in the path forward.
What should a new client know about working with you?
As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specializing in medication management, I work with individuals facing a wide range of mental health challenges — including depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and more. From the very first appointment, you can expect a thorough, unhurried experience. I take the time to conduct a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation that covers your current symptoms and their impact on your daily life, your medical and treatment history, what has or hasn't worked for you in the past, and the goals you have for your care. Starting with this depth of understanding helps us build a stronger foundation and reduces unnecessary trial and error down the road.
My prescribing philosophy blends evidence-based medicine with individualized attention. Every recommendation I make takes into account your specific diagnosis, symptom severity, any coexisting health conditions, your current medications, potential side effects, affordability, and your own preferences.
Clear communication is at the core of how I practice. I explain diagnoses and treatment options in straightforward, approachable terms — including how medications work, what improvements to realistically expect, potential side effects, and typical timelines. I genuinely welcome your questions and believe the best outcomes come from true collaboration. My aim is to create a nonjudgmental environment where you feel comfortable being open about your experiences and concerns.
I schedule regular follow-ups to track your progress, refine your treatment plan, and address any new challenges. I'm also accessible between appointments and coordinate with other members of your care team when it supports your wellbeing. Whether you're beginning psychiatric medication for the first time or looking to improve an existing treatment plan, my goal is to provide reliable, expert care that eases your symptoms, supports daily functioning.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
Starting psychiatric care can feel vulnerable, and I want you to know that I approach every patient with empathy, respect, and without judgment. Our first session is all about you—your story, your struggles, your goals. I'll invite you to share what's been difficult lately, how these difficulties are affecting your life, and what you're hoping to feel different. This session typically lasts 60 minutes and covers a lot of ground: current symptoms and their severity, when problems began, previous mental health diagnoses and treatments, medications you've taken and your experiences with them, medical conditions and current medications, family psychiatric history, substance use history, trauma history if applicable, and major life stressors.
I also want to hear about your strengths, support systems, coping mechanisms, and what's still going well in your life—even when you're struggling, you have resilience and resources worth acknowledging.
After gathering this information, I'll discuss my diagnostic assessment and treatment recommendations. I explain diagnoses in plain language and connect them to your specific experiences. When medication is appropriate, I present options tailored to your needs, explaining mechanisms of action, expected benefits, timeframes, side effect possibilities, and monitoring requirements. I answer every question thoroughly because informed patients are empowered patients.
Subsequent appointments are focused check-ins, usually 20-30 minutes, scheduled every few weeks initially. We'll systematically review symptom changes, any side effects, medication effectiveness, and overall functioning. I adjust treatment based on your response, always explaining my clinical reasoning. As you stabilize, visits can become less frequent.
I also coordinate with therapists and other providers to ensure integrated care. Mental health treatment is most effective when all your providers communicate and work together. I'm here to provide compassionate care.
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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 Parnassus Campus, Master's in 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 Mental Health 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 Anxiety, Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Depression, 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