(Kristina Timmons, having treated LCHC patients for their primary medical care needs since 2014, believes that “we need to take care of their mental health issues as well.” | Photo Courtesy of La Pine Community Health Center)
Expanding its arsenal of behavioral health tools, La Pine Community Health Center (LCHC) is now offering psychiatric care through a long-time member of its staff — Kristina Timmons (DNP, FNP-c, PMHNP-bc) — who feels “so passionate” about this option that she went back to school to earn a Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree with a focus on Psychiatric Mental Health.
“I realized pretty quickly when joining LCHC in 2014 that while we treated so many patients for their primary medical care needs, we had to take care of their mental health issues as well,” she explained.
“Especially during these past few years of the pandemic, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, insomnia, irritability and substance abuse have continued to climb — both locally and nationally.”
In addition, said Timmons, “physical conditions such as diabetes are often linked to underlying behavioral factors like overeating and physical inactivity. Another example is debilitating fatigue, which may be the result of anxiety that, in turn, results in insomnia. We need to treat both the physical and mental components for optimal results.
“We already screen patients for depression (which can be quite subtle) during their visits to LCHC so their care provider can stay up to date on any mental struggles they might be having, and help patients find better coping mechanisms to deal with them. What I offer,” she explained, “is an extension of that service.”
Here’s how it works. During the first visit, Timmons will sit down with the patient, learn about current symptoms and family history and formulate a treatment plan — including medication management, as needed. This is done in consultation with other professionals such as the patient’s primary care provider and one of two LCHC behavioral therapists.
“We believe in the efficacy of shared decision making,” Timmons emphasized. “Using this collaborative approach, we work together as a team with the patient to provide whatever support they may need.”
Timmons is now treating patients of all ages, and emphasized that they DO NOT need to be a patient at LCHC to utilize this psychiatric mental health service. Call 541.536-3435 to set up an appointment.
