Gain Clarity With A Psychiatric Evaluation in Phoenix or Denver

At Peak Mental Healthcare, you’ll meet with a licensed psychiatric nurse practitioner who will ask about your mental health symptoms, your health history, your relationships, and your routines — all to build a complete picture of your mental health. We may also use screening tools or questionnaires to help clarify what you’re feeling.

If we’re evaluating a teen, we may ask for permission to hear from parents, teachers, or others who know them well — always with care and collaboration at the center.

This isn’t a pop quiz, so don’t worry about always having a precise response. It’s a thoughtful conversation where you’ll be heard, not rushed — and where we work toward answers, not assumptions.

To come to a mental health diagnosis, we may cover the following during your evaluation:

• Your personal and family medical history
• Current and past medications
• Emotional and behavioral patterns
• How symptoms affect daily life — work, school, social life, relationships
• Developmental and academic history for teens

Sometimes, we may recommend bloodwork or other basic labs to rule out medical issues with symptoms that can overlap with specific mental health conditions.

We believe good care starts with trust and grows through real connection. That’s why our psychiatric nurse practitioners in Denver or Phoenix take time to truly listen without judgment and incorporate your values and preferences into your treatment. When psychiatric medication is recommended, we’ll talk about it together. 

Once your psychiatric nurse practitioner in Phoenix or Denver has a clear understanding of your needs, they’ll walk you through your options. That might include psychiatric medication, a referral for therapy, or both. We’ll help you schedule follow-ups, adjust your treatment plan over time, and stay on track with the support you need.

For parents and caregivers, we’ll offer practical tools and guidance to support care at home, too.

And remember — our team is always just a message away. Whether you’re looking for clarity or reassurance, we’re here to help you feel more like yourself again.

Psychiatry is medical care for mental health conditions. It involves evaluating symptoms, diagnosing conditions, and prescribing medication when appropriate.

Therapy (also called talk therapy or psychotherapy) focuses on exploring thought patterns, emotions, and behaviors with a licensed therapist. It can help you process experiences, learn coping strategies, and improve emotional well-being over time. While therapy can support the treatment of mental health conditions, it’s also used for navigating everyday challenges, stressors, and transitions.

At Peak Mental Healthcare, our Colorado- and Arizona-licensed psychiatric nurse practitioners may also incorporate brief, targeted psychotherapy into your follow-up appointments when appropriate as part of our holistic, patient-centered approach.

Psychiatric medication often provides more immediate symptom relief, with many patients beginning to feel changes within days to a few weeks (though timing varies depending on the medication and individual). At Peak Mental Healthcare, we also go the extra step of creating a treatment plan that not only helps you reduce symptoms, but also improves your day-to-day functioning.

Therapy, on the other hand, aims to address root patterns and build lasting skills.

Some people benefit from one, while many people benefit from both. The best approach is the one that works for you — your symptoms, your needs, and the kind of support that actually helps you.

Our psychiatric nurse practitioners in Denver and Phoenix take the time to really get to know you — your story, your symptoms, your goals — and they listen with empathy and without judgment. Many patients find that these conversations can feel just as supportive and validating as a therapy session, because care here is built on connection, not checklists.

At Peak Mental Healthcare, psychiatric care always includes a conversation about what’s working, what isn’t, and how to tailor your treatment to your needs. Medication is just one part of that discussion, and we’re always happy to refer you to trusted providers if you’re looking for regular, hour-long therapy sessions or more in-depth psychotherapy.

Both psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) are licensed to diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication, and provide ongoing psychiatric care. There are a few differences between the two professions.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs or DOs) who have completed a psychiatric residency after medical school.

Psychiatric nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who hold a master’s or doctoral degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing and have completed clinical training in psychiatry and mental health care.

Because there are fewer psychiatrists in practice and many work in hospitals or specialized settings, they can have longer wait times.

Psychiatric nurse practitioners are typically more accessible — like in the case at Peak Mental Healthcare, where same-day appointments are available — which means you can get help sooner.

In many cases, care with a psychiatric nurse practitioner may be more affordable than care with a psychiatrist, especially for self-pay patients. And while insurance coverage can vary, PMHNPs can be the most cost-effective option for high-quality care.

Both psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners can offer medication management and ongoing support, but PMHNPs like the ones at Peak Mental Healthcare are often known for a more holistic, patient-centered approach. That means blending clinical insight with an emphasis on communication, trust, and partnership.

At Peak Mental Healthcare, our psychiatric nurse practitioners in Phoenix and Denver take the time to listen, educate, and work collaboratively with you to create a plan that fits your life.

You’ll receive thoughtful, evidence-based care, and have a provider who treats you like a partner in the process. That includes being intentional about prescribing — we don’t overprescribe, and we don’t under-treat. Our focus is on what’s safe, effective, and right for your needs.