Michelle Zapinski

Hi, I’m Michelle. I’m a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a passion for helping people feel heard, understood, and supported as they navigate their mental health journey. I earned my Master of Science in Nursing from Alverno College in Wisconsin and have experience in psychiatric nursing across a variety of clinical settings and with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

I believe mental health care should look at the whole person—not just a diagnosis or a list of symptoms. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and individualized. I take the time to understand what you’re experiencing, what may be contributing to your symptoms, and what you hope to achieve through treatment.

I’m comfortable working with a wide range of mental health concerns and strive to create a safe, judgment-free space where you can be open about what’s going well and what isn’t. My goal is for you to feel like an active partner in your care as we work together toward greater stability, confidence, and overall well-being.

My approach to care is collaborative, thoughtful, and centered around you as a whole person. I begin by taking the time to understand your mental health history, current concerns, life experiences, and the goals that are most important to you. I believe you should have an active voice in your treatment, so we will work together to create a plan that feels both comfortable and achievable.

Depending on your individual needs, treatment may include medication management, supportive therapeutic interventions, lifestyle recommendations, and referrals to other specialists when appropriate. Throughout our work together, I prioritize open communication and shared decision-making so that your care can evolve as your needs and goals change.

Your first session with me is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin building a foundation for your care. We’ll spend time discussing what brought you to treatment, your mental and physical health history, current symptoms and challenges, and what you hope to gain from our work together. From there, we’ll begin developing treatment goals and a plan that reflects your individual needs and preferences.

You can expect our sessions to be warm, collaborative, and judgment-free. I want you to feel comfortable being honest about what you’re experiencing and confident that your concerns are being heard. Treatment may incorporate medication management along with evidence-based approaches such as supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral strategies, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care.

I approach treatment through a whole-person lens, recognizing the connection between your mental health, physical health, relationships, environment, and daily experiences. Together, we may work on identifying patterns, strengthening coping skills, gaining new perspectives, and developing practical strategies you can use in everyday life. My goal is not only to help reduce symptoms, but also to help you build greater self-awareness, resilience, and confidence in managing your mental health.