Find a psychiatrist in Lone Tree, CO — covered by insurance

Looking for care that goes beyond a prescription? I'm Chelsea, a psychiatric nurse practitioner and owner of Thrive Psychiatry Colorado. In our work together, I will take time to listen and create a personalized plan that blends modern psychiatry with holistic care, always with curiosity, compassion, and a whole-person lens. I combine psychiatry with integrative wellness to support both mind and body. My journey began in yoga and doula work, and over the past 20 years I’ve also worked in nutrition, eating disorder treatment, community mental health, private practice and pediatric emergency medicine.

As a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, my background spans decades in high-intensity environments, including service as a critical-care helicopter and fixed-wing flight nurse/paramedic, an officer in the United States Air Force Reserves, and an

entrepreneur. My career has been shaped in spaces where calm leadership, accountability, and compassion are essential—not optional.

I work with adults and adolescents, including first responders, veterans, entrepreneurs,

and individuals navigating complex or generational trauma. I am trained in EMDR and

use a trauma-informed approach to help clients process difficult experiences while reconnecting with clarity, resilience, and direction. I also have training in psychedelic- assisted therapies, with a focused interest in ketamine-assisted therapy and psilocybin-assisted approaches, and I am a licensed facilitator-in-training in the State of Colorado.

I am a husband and father of five, including two children with special needs (one visually impaired and one neurodivergent), and a grandfather of two. My wife is a trauma-informed yoga teacher specializing in complex trauma, and our shared perspective reflects a deep respect for both the psychological and physiological aspects

of healing.

I’m Makala Smith, a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). I am committed to providing holistic mental health care through a balanced and patient-centered approach.

My background includes neurology, trauma, and public health nursing. I earned my Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree from University of Colorado after I realized the need for psychiatric providers in my rural community of Meeker, Colorado and surrounding areas. By furthering my education, I am able to provide specialized, thoughtful, empathetic psychiatric care.

I’m a board-certified Family and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience in healthcare and more than a decade as a nurse practitioner. My work blends evidence-based medication management with an integrative, trauma-informed lens. I believe effective care looks beyond symptoms to understand the person as a whole.

As your Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I want you to know that I am here for you every step of the way. You can trust that I am fully committed to your well-being and dedicated to providing you with the highest quality of care.

Something positive, warm, and uplifting about me as your PMHNP is that I genuinely believe in your strength and resilience. I see your potential for growth and healing, even during the toughest of times. Together, we'll navigate through the challenges.

I am accepting new clients for tele-health appointments. I provide medication management for: anxiety, depression, bipolar, and/or ADHD. I have after-hour appointments and Saturday availability.

Dual-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with 27 years of healthcare experience.

• Passionate about supporting individuals of all ages in achieving their best mental health.
• Provide comprehensive care including medication management and supportive therapy.
• Deliver compassionate, evidence-based treatment tailored to diverse populations.
• Treat everyone the way I want to be treated, building trust, empathy, and respect.
• Highly individualized approach to ensure each person receives personalized support.
• Qualified to treat individuals across the lifespan with a wide range of mental health disorders.

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.

I am a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to delivering comprehensive, patient-centered care. I have advanced training in mental health assessment, medication management, and therapeutic support for individuals of all ages. I work with clients dealing with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, trauma-related issues, and ADHD. My goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where clients feel heard and respected.

Are you feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, anxious, or struggling to find balance in your daily life? You do not have to navigate it alone. I provide compassionate, personalized mental health care in a supportive and judgment-free environment where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered.

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.

Stimulants, Suboxone and Benzodiazepines are prescribed in this practice with DEA guidelines. Dr. Padilla is a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the New York tri-state area and has over 30 years of experience in healthcare. He treats children from 6 years old through adulthood, focusing on psychiatric medication management. He specializes in mental health and has extensive experience in the field of psychiatry. Dr. Padilla takes a “start low and go slow” approach to prescribing, paying special attention to medication potency and potential interactions with other medications prescribed by other providers. Dr. Padilla earned his Doctorate in Clinical Practice Nursing from Rutgers University–New Brunswick. He also holds bachelor’s degrees from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and the University of Miami, as well as an associate’s degree from Bergen Community College.