Hi Lynnette, I’m so glad for the opportunity to sit down with you today and ask you some questions. We’re so happy to have you here at Grace!
I’m happy to be here at Grace. I’m excited to reach more people here in Denver and help them heal on their mental health journey.
That’s great to hear. Are you from Denver originally?
I’m not. I moved to Southern Colorado when I was about 5 years old, and I lived there most of my life. I moved up to Denver a few years ago to be closer to my family. My children and my grandchildren are so important to me, and I love spending time with them.
We really value family at Grace Counseling as well. I wish readers could see your face light up when you mention your family. Speaking of all ages, do you treat all ages at Grace?
I especially love working with the older generation, the seniors who are starting to struggle with dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, or other diseases that generally hit the older population. There is so much we can do, and so often the early signs and symptoms are missed. I really believe it is important to treat all ages with dignity and respect, and so working with this population especially brings me great joy. This population can often be overlooked but there really is a lot the mental health community can do to help. I do see adults of all ages, and adolescents.
That’s great to hear. What can new patients expect on their first visit with you?
I do ask that a new patient set aside about 90 minutes for the first appointment. With mental health, there are so many other things that can contribute to your symptoms, so I want to know what else is going on with your health and nutrition. I want to know what past medications you’ve tried, what supplements you are using, and what has and has not worked. My ‘holistic’ approach means that I want to look at the whole person – not just your brain.
What is your philosophy on prescribing medication?
I try to prescribe medication with as much information as possible. I also view medication as a great ‘tool’ in your toolbox that should be used with counseling. Counselors can give you so many great techniques for working through your anxiety and depression, and while some diagnoses do require long term medication, not all do. I don’t want my patients to feel dependent on medication, rather that it is empowering them to continue to work on their mental health. I truly do believe that counseling and medication should go hand in hand.
Do you recommend supplements for mental health?
I do believe supplements can be beneficial, but should be monitored by your psychiatric provider or doctor. A routine blood test can check for vitamin and mineral deficiencies. I also find at times patients self prescribing the wrong amount of supplements, and so by helping you balance your vitamin and mineral intake, I can help prevent intake of potentially dangerous amounts of some vitamins, as well as prevent deficiencies in vital nutrients.
That seems to tie into your whole body approach to psychiatric treatment! Do you also utilize genetic testing?
I do, and I recommend this for new patients. Genetic testing can give me information on how fast you metabolize different medications, and how your body will process certain chemicals. With this information, I can try and reduce the number of medication trials we need to go through to find the “right fit” for you.
Do you offer your patients other advice on how to process stress, anxiety, and depression?
I do! I strongly believe in the benefits of deep breathing, and can help you find a way to make deep breathing effective for you. I also encourage mindfulness techniques with patients, and activities like yoga, walking, or running that can help your body naturally produce the chemicals your body needs to stay balanced. A healthy lifestyle is important for all of us, whether we are struggling with our mental health or not.
For more information on Lynnette, check out her bio! To schedule an appointment with her or any of our providers, call (720) 489-8555 or click here to request an appointment.
