Christina's scope of practice and approach as a psychiatric PA-C is influenced by her prior career as a social worker. Prior to PA school she worked in a psychology as a cognitive behavioral therapist for research in mood disorders and pain with the University of Texas at Arlington. Deciding she wanted to become more adept with psychiatrics assessments she moved to work in the emergency department at Texas Health Recourses Hospital in Dallas, Texas where she had multiple duties including administering psychiatric and chemical dependency assessments, crisis intervention, treatment planning, and resource coordination for multiple populations.
Derick has been working with psychiatric medications for eight years. Over the course of his career, he has gained experience in dealing with various mental illnesses, including PTSD, OCD, MDD, GAD, psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders. Derick's consistent involvement in psychedelic-based treatments during this time has made him one of the most experienced psychedelic providers in the state.
Derick is dedicated to offering individualized, evidence-based, and compassionate care to all his patients. He believes in a holistic approach to mental health, which includes focuses on exercise, nutrition, diet, meditation, psychology, and social relationships, alongside medication management. Derick is also a strong advocate for patient education. He values patients being well-informed about their treatments and conditions and is always available to answer questions and provide the time needed for patients to express their concerns and receive answers.
Ben Saxey PA-C approaches medicine from a standpoint of working with his patients to realize and obtain their own safe and healthy goals. He is not a drug salesman. He will help understand your mental health situation and options for treatment that are available. This can include psychoeducation, goal setting and lifestyle improvement, referral for the appropriate therapy, referral for neuropsychological testing, medication management, referral to the latest studies of frontline research in Mental Health, and some of the newest forms of treatment like Ketamine and TMS treatment.
Mike has always had a desire to support those struggling with their mental health. He believes that the client-provider relationship is critical to mental health treatment and he values joining his patients on their mental health journey. He creates effective, evidence-based treatment plans in collaboration with his clients, encouraging their input and opinions regarding treatment. He views mental health through a biopsychosocial model and emphasizes the strengths of each client as they make treatment decisions. He is excited about new treatment options in psychiatry including ketamine/spravato along with research focused on psychedelics. Mike graduated from the University of Utah physician assistant program and immediately pursued his doctorate degree from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. There he completed the psychiatry track of the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program where he received additional education in psychiatry. Before becoming a physician assistant, he obtained his undergraduate degree in social work to better understand people, their life perspectives, and how he and others relate to the world. In his spare time, Mike enjoys spending time with his family, oil painting, playing the piano, and snow skiing.
Dr. Sorensen MD (he/they) received his degree in medicine from The Ohio State University in 2010. He has worked in a variety of settings including pharmacies, clinics, start-ups and hospitals across the world. With a focus on patient-centered care, Dr. Sorensen works with clients to incorporate their unique culture, beliefs, medical issues and preferences into a personalized and effective treatment plan. Dr. Sorensen has experience treating adults, adolescents, LGBTQ+ individuals, and recent immigrants. He focuses on medication management, but also provides brief therapy and coordinates with therapists and medical specialists when needed. He offers gender affirming care including hormones and surgery evaluations for his transgender and nonbinary clients. Dr. Sorensen prescribes TMS, ketamine and Spravato for treatment resistant depression. He can refer patients to the research department for psychedelic treatments when appropriate. Although he often discusses new treatment options with his clients, he also works to simplify medication treatments with the goal of increasing each patient’s quality of life.
Dr. Deven Jennings (he/they) earned his Doctorate in Nursing Practice with an emphasis in Psychiatric-Mental Health in May of 2021. He has worked in mental health since 2016 in both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services. Dr. Jennings graduated from Brigham Young University in April 2016 and joined Huntsman Mental Health Institute (formerly University Neuropsychiatric Institute) on the geriatric and medical psychiatric unit in inpatient services. He worked for 2 years as a charge nurse before returning to graduate school to earn his DNP. While in school, Dr. Jennings worked as a graduate assistant and outpatient psychiatric nurse with the College of Nursing at the University of Utah. Dr. Jennings is dedicated to providing evidence-based care for those with psychiatric and behavioral health concerns including offering medication management services, psychedelic assisted psychotherapy and medical cannabis. Dr. Jennings is also passionate about providing LGBTQIA+ affirming psychiatric services to clients in our community. Dr. Jennings believes in holistic approaches to mental health, including addressing mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual elements of mental health care. He is also enthusiastic about providing cutting-edge treatment options to clients, including ketamine and TMS.