P R O V I D E R
Spencer Elmer ARNP, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatry
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Spencer cut his teeth as an acute care cardiac nurse, working mostly in the high-paced hospital setting. The typical day was constantly in flux, often involving life or death scenarios with very ill patients. Spencer is humbled by these experiences, and he saw how often the mental health aspect of a person’s care was left out, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Having always had sights set on becoming a nurse practitioner, he decided to become a mental health provider.
Spencer is a Marine Corps veteran who served in Marine Aviation and as a weapons instructor. Spencer believes firmly that “ a rising tide raises all ships”, and feels he has good insight into some of the mental health struggles everyone can experience because of his own exposure to things like anxiety and PTSD. He is hoping to bring confidence to patient populations who might not otherwise seek mental health care by providing a safe and non-judgmental space to explore their thoughts and feelings. Spencer is captivated by the holistic “mind, body, and spirit” approach to mental healthcare. He believes the human body is marvelous and perfectly imperfect, mental health should be approached from all angles, and treatment plans should be reinforced with patient involvement and decision-making. Spencer believes that diet and exercise are instrumental in the management of mental health conditions, even as he struggles with this at times. He is happy to discuss healthy meal plans, workout programs, and works collaboratively with our other board-certified medical providers and Kala, our health coach, in order to make sure patients can have all the tools for success. Spencer has confidence in the many well-done studies that show the enormous benefit of cognitive behavioral therapy in the management and treatment of mental health conditions. He works closely with Daly, our therapist, and also has close professional relationships with other therapists in the area to ensure that his patients can reap the huge benefits of regular therapy. The evidence is clear: everyone should be in therapy! |
More about SpencerSpecialty: Psychiatric / Mental Health Ages seen: All ages Men/Women/both: All are welcome Education:
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My Certifications:
- Registered Nurse.
- PMHNP-BC (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner- Board Certified).
Conditions I treat:
- All mental health conditions
- Neuropsychiatric conditions such as PANS/PANDAS
- Perinatal Mental Health
- Postpartum Depression
- Military/Veteran Community
Services I offer:
- Diagnosis/Testing
- Medication management
- Symptom management through diet/lifestyle modifications
Insurances I am in-network with:
- Medicare
- Midland
- Tricare West
- United Healthcare
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- Medicaid
- Title 19
- Iowa Total Care
- Evernorth
- Aetna
- PENDING: Humana, Wellpoint
Professional Approach to the Holistic and Integrative care model:
I believe each person is a unique being with their own personal struggles, victories, desires, and needs. I believe the mind, body, and spirit are closely interwoven, and that we can improve mental health through a holistic approach. I want to empower people to help themselves heal through self-connection, spirituality (whatever that looks like for them), community, and the natural environment.
We are all together on a rock hurtling through space at 67,000 mph around a fiery ball of hydrogen and helium and yet almost no one ever talks about it. It’s amazing that you are here against stupendous odds and I believe you are here for a special reason. So, let’s talk about it. What brings you in today?
