Find a psychiatrist in Arvada, CO — covered by insurance

Welcome! I’m honored you’re considering care. I’m a doctorally prepared Nurse Practitioner with dual board certification in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care and Primary Mental Health. As a former first responder, I bring firsthand understanding of the unique stressors faced by those in high-intensity roles. I take a trauma-informed, person-centered approach to care. I specialize in working with individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes, including first responders and members of the LGBTQ+ community. My goal is to create a safe, affirming space where you feel heard, respected, and empowered to take steps toward healing.

Completed my adult psychiatry residency at Duke University Medical Center and recognize the importance of synergistic effects of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy to achieve best clinical outcomes. Beyond Medical school and Psychiatric residency, I completed an additional Ph.D. in Neurosciences, fostering a deeper understanding of the field of Psychiatry and psychotropic treatment options. I have additional knowledge and experience in adjunct treatments including TMS and Ketamine.

I'm Astrid, a dedicated nurse practitioner with over 18 years of healthcare experience, including over 6 years in mental health, presently welcoming clients in FLORIDA and COLORADO.

I believe everyone deserves care that respects their entire being and honors the uniqueness of their life story.

My mission is to create a supportive and healing environment where mental health is approached holistically in a safe and judgment-free environment.

I am deeply committed to supporting individuals, especially women across the lifespan, from puberty and postpartum to perimenopause and beyond, as they navigate challenges, reclaim their power, and thrive.

I chose to become a psychiatric provider because I am inherently compassionate, and I enjoy talking to people about what's really going on with them, not just what they portray in public. This is always such an honor. I myself am always learning from my patients and their journeys. I love that there's always room for growth and it's never the same.

I’m Krishawnda (or Shawnda for short)! I’ve been working as a nurse since 2011. I was a RN for 9 years and have been a psychiatric nurse practitioner since 2020. My BSN was obtained from the University of Kentucky. My graduate degree is from Eastern Kentucky University. I have worked in geriatric psych, adult psych, and child psychiatry.

I am a double board-certified Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience across the continuum of psychiatric care, including acute psychiatric emergencies, inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, geriatric mental health, intellectual and developmental disability services, and healthcare management. I hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and am currently completing my Doctorate, reflecting my ongoing commitment to clinical excellence, evidence-based practice, and lifelong learning.

Throughout my career, I have worked with individuals and families navigating a wide range of psychiatric conditions, from situational anxiety and depression to severe and persistent mental illness. My clinical experience includes extensive work with schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma-related conditions, and mood instability across the lifespan. I am particularly experienced in caring for geriatric patients, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and patients with complex medication regimens requiring careful evaluation, simplification, and long-term stabilization.

I also work closely with college-aged patients and adults who are navigating academic pressure, career transitions, family dynamics, identity development, and the cumulative stressors that can emerge during periods of high responsibility or change. Many of my patients are high-functioning individuals who appear “put together” on the outside but struggle internally with anxiety, rumination, intrusive thoughts, emotional dysregulation, or burnout. Others are managing chronic psychiatric illness while striving to maintain independence, relationships, and quality of life.