Mental Health with Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Macy Kasperbauer

When we think of mental health we often associate that with adults. However, research shows that mental health challenges affect approximately 1 in 10 children and young people. Dialog about mental health is difficult enough. But when it involves a child, it is even more challenging.

Macy Kasperbauer is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, specializing in children, adolescents, and young adults. She is also the owner of Integrative Psychiatry, in Elkhorn Nebraska.

What types of services do you provide?

Macy: I specialize in psychiatry - treating children, adolescents, and young adults. I screen them for mental health diagnoses, and then assess their treatment plan to determine if they require psychotherapy or medication management.  I also refer to other therapists in the office, if more intensive therapy is recommended.

What are some of the mental health problems that children and young people can face?

Macy: Common problems I see are academic/school struggles, such as attention/focus, social issues such as bullying, or home life. I see a lot of trauma as well.

Are there certain signs parents can look for in their children?

Macy: If your child is acting out of their baseline, for example: you have a happy functioning child, and one day you see their attitude shift, or they are always staying to themselves and not going out with friends - that should initiate questions and concerns for the parent.

What is your suggestion to a parent who notices their child is  struggling from a mental health perspective?

Macy: Oftentimes parents think they can be the therapist, and the parent all at the same time, which is a very challenging task.  I always encourage parents to continue leading as the parent, and seek out professional advice when therapy or medication management needs to be obtained. 

If you seek professional assessments sooner than later, which does not always mean medication, it can help resolve the issue and prevent more intensive psychiatric concerns down the road.

Where does a parent go to look for a therapist?

Macy: psychologytoday.com is a great reference, especially for children and adolescents. It will outline insurance and the experience of the providers, and also includes a picture of the clinician - which helps ease the initial anxiety of a first time visit. 

What’s your vision/goal when you see a patient?

Macy: My goal is to create a trusting relationship with my patients and invite them in to discuss anything that is preventing them from succeeding in their day to day life. I’m all about creating a safe space. I understand mental health appointments can be an anxiety provoking situation, as we discuss a lot of difficult content. My goal is to create an understanding that we are there for our patients. We know there's some anxious energy coming into appointments; however, I still invite that energy in and encourage my patients to share as much information as possible, so they can get the help that they deserve.

Q: Vulnerability is a strength not weakness, do your clients feel better after opening up in a vulnerable manner?

Macy: Patients who open up and are vulnerable, almost always say: “that was a relief”, or “I feel better”.  It’s not always the case, some still feel anxious, but it is definitely a start in the right direction.

Is therapy confidential, will one’s information be shared? How long does therapy last

Macy: Behavioral health is very protected and HIPPA is always provided.

Therapy lasts as long as the patient is presenting concerns.  When overall progress, and/or stability is obtained, services can be discontinued.

If someone is debating the idea of seeing a therapist for themself or their child, what is your advice?

Macy: Listen to your gut. If you are going back and forth about it, you should reach out! Often the hesitation is “I'll give it more time,” “It’ll get better on its own,” but getting a professional opinion is pivotal.  Mental health has positive outcomes when treated early, and when preventative measures are taken to eliminate severe and persistent mental health in the future.

Why do you believe some people feel shame around mental health discussions?

Macy: When we think of our emotions, we often think we “should” be in control of that, or that we can fix it on our own. The problem is, the more we ignore it and push it aside, the more we create unhealthy patterns of behavior, intensity of symptoms and severe mental health - which can become a life-threatening disease! 

One reason I love working with children, adolescents and young adults, is because treating mental health early provides a good outlook and prognosis for the future.

What do you find to be beneficial in taking care of your own mental health?

We focus on mind, body, and spirit at Integrative Psychiatry and I am a firm believer in practicing what you preach. Nutritionally, your body needs the proper nutrients to be mentally sound, so I make sure my body is being fed proper macro and micro nutrients to sustain my overall health. Staying connected spiritually has also kept me going. For me, going to church regularly and reading the Bible has been a profound way of staying grounded. Also, making sure that I exercise.  Every day after work, I go to the gym, and make sure I get those natural endorphins flowing.

If someone is interested in coming into your clinic, or seeing a mental health provider in general, where can they go?

Macy: For integrative psychiatry, just call 402-933-5700. You do not have to be prepared for the phone call, just let us know you would like to make an appointment and our front desk staff will make sure you get scheduled with an appropriate provider. 

If you would like to schedule with a different clinic, or are looking for additional services, go to psychologytoday.com. They have information on medical providers, clinical psychologists, therapists and more.