Misty Steffen

My name is Misty, and I am a triple board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Certified Nurse-Midwife. I completed my PMHNP post-masters certificate at the University of California, San Francisco, my FNP post-masters certificate at Sonoma State University, and my MSN in Women's Health Care and Midwifery at the University of New Mexico. I also undertook doctoral work in prenatal and perinatal psychology with an emphasis on trauma repair at Santa Barbara Graduate Institute.

In practice, I have served 13 years as a Family Nurse Practitioner, 25 years as a Certified Nurse-Midwife, and have spent over 15 years mentoring fellow healthcare practitioners. Along the way I have directed a licensed birth center, cared for underserved families through Planned Parenthood, supported high-risk pregnancies through in-home visits, and provided full-scope family practice throughout the Bay Area.

These days, my focus is outpatient psychiatric care for clients ages 12 through 64. I enjoy working with teens and young, college-aged transitional youth, as well as women and teens navigating female hormone struggles, perinatal struggles, ADHD, autism/neurodivergence, bipolar 2, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. I do not prefer to work with eating disorders or substance use disorders.

I am proud to serve clients of all genders and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. My areas of expertise include psychiatric assessment, medication management, psychopharmacology, perinatal mental health, and crisis intervention. I draw on Motivational Interviewing along with brief, solution-oriented and trauma-informed care, and I provide support for new diagnoses, complex case management, IEP and 504 accommodations, and family education.

My approach is warm, empathic, and direct, and I honor the whole person by blending conventional and holistic perspectives to support your unique goals.

True partnership is at the center of my care, and I approach every person with warmth, respect, and sincere curiosity. I view each individual as a complete person shaped by their relationships, personal history, and environment, and I never define anyone by a single diagnosis.

As a triple board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Certified Nurse-Midwife, I bring an unusually broad perspective to outpatient psychiatric care. I treat patients ages 6 to 65 through a flexible hybrid model that combines video and in-office appointments to fit your schedule. My work centers on thorough psychiatric evaluations, thoughtful medication management, and precise psychopharmacology, supported by brief, solution-focused, and trauma-informed approaches.

My years in family practice, women's health, and midwifery showed me how closely the mind and body are connected. That background also gave me a deeper sensitivity to perinatal mental health and to the emotional strain that frequently comes with major life changes.

Clear, honest communication is essential to my approach. I am straightforward and candid while staying genuinely compassionate, and I want you to feel like a full partner in your treatment from our first visit onward. As a team, we will create a personalized plan, set clear goals that matter to you, and update them as you progress. Every question you have is always welcome. I also offer education for patients and families, crisis support, guidance after a new diagnosis, and coordination for complex care needs.

I am a proudly affirming provider for LGBTQIA+ individuals and have broad experience supporting neurodivergent and twice-exceptional people. I especially enjoy working with those who are eager to grow and reach their fullest potential. My goal is to provide a safe, flexible, and truly collaborative space where healing and lasting change can take place at a pace that suits you.

Starting with a new clinician can feel a bit unsettling, so my first priority is helping you feel relaxed and comfortable from the moment we connect. Whether we meet by video or in person through my flexible hybrid practice, I want you to feel genuinely welcomed, heard, and appreciated as a whole person rather than a list of symptoms. There is no wrong place to begin.

Our first visit is an opportunity to get acquainted. I will complete a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, taking time to understand your current concerns, your personal and medical history, and what prompted you to reach out. With a background spanning psychiatric care, family practice, women’s health, and midwifery, I naturally consider how your emotional health, physical well-being, relationships, and life transitions all influence one another.

Think of this first meeting as an easygoing conversation rather than a formal intake. My style is warm, caring, and honest, and you are welcome to ask questions at any time, large or small. If medication could help you reach your goals, we will discuss your options openly, including their likely benefits and the important factors to weigh, so you can make well-informed decisions. I pair short-term, solution-focused, and trauma-informed strategies with medication management, always moving at a pace that suits you.

I offer education and guidance when you receive a new diagnosis and, when useful, help with IEP, 504, and school or workplace accommodations. Family members and loved ones are always welcome to take part whenever it supports your care.

As an LGBTQIA+ affirming clinician with deep experience supporting neurodivergent and twice-exceptional individuals, I especially enjoy working with people who are motivated to grow and ready to make meaningful changes. You can expect to leave our first visit feeling understood and encouraged, with a clearer sense of direction and the beginning of a genuine, trusting partnership.