About Integrative Psychiatry

Discover whole-person mental health care at Axis Integrated Mental Health. Our team of licensed professionals in Denver, Boulder, and Westminster combines medication management with therapy, lifestyle support, and advanced treatments like TMS and Spravato. Whether you’re dealing with long-term depression or recent burnout, our modern, holistic approach meets you where you are—and helps you move forward.

Integrative Psychiatry Q&A

What is Integrative Psychiatry and How Is It Different?

Integrative psychiatry at Axis goes beyond five-minute med checks, looking at brain chemistry, trauma history, lifestyle, and environment to design personalized treatment plans.

Care includes conventional medications combined with complementary approaches such as therapy, TMS, Spravato, nutritional psychiatry, and mind-body practices.

Axis psychiatrists in Denver, Boulder, and Westminster provide whole-person, insurance-covered care that adapts to your goals and long-term mental health needs.

Forget the five-minute med check. Integrative psychiatry looks at the full picture of your mental health: brain chemistry, emotional life, trauma history, physical health, and environment. Our providers collaborate with you to build a care plan that works for your body and your life, not just a one-size-fits-all prescription.

Axis Integrated Mental Health’s team combines conventional medications with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), using the most helpful treatments from each to optimize patient outcomes.

What CAM treatments does integrative psychiatry use?

Axis Integrated Mental Health selects from the following CAM treatments:
Mind-body therapies
Mind-body therapies include meditation, yoga, tai chi, hypnosis, and biofeedback.
Biological practices
Biological treatments include nutrition counseling, dietary supplements, special diets, and botanicals (plant-based medicines).

Physical practices

Physical treatments include acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic manipulation, and reflexology.

Alternative treatments

Alternatives to mainstream medications for mental health disorders include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Spravato® esketamine nasal spray.

CAM treatments also include lifestyle changes. The Axis Integrated Mental Health team combines Western and Eastern philosophies to enhance healing from mental health problems.

Want to know how much do alternative depression treatments cost in Denver with your insurance coverage?

Book a free financial consultation with our expert Rachel!

At your appointment, we’ll tell you:

What your insurance plan requires to cover treatment
Your estimated out-of-pocket cost
If you qualify for financial assistance programs

Ask Rachel about payment plans, alternative payments, and more on your call.

Get Free Treatment Cost Consultation

What conditions can integrative psychiatry treat?

Integrative psychiatry can treat numerous mental health conditions, including:

The Axis Integrated Mental Health team uses interventions outside prescription medication to increase your likelihood of improving or recovering from these mental health issues.

Why Traditional Psychiatry Often Falls Short—for Women and Men Alike

Mental health isn’t one-size-fits-all, but too often, traditional psychiatry treats it that way. At Axis Integrated Mental Health, we’ve seen firsthand how standard approaches and gender bias can miss the mark, especially for women, neurodivergent individuals, and high-functioning men who don’t fit the textbook symptoms.

Many psychiatric models are still based on outdated research that prioritized male participants and overlooked how depression, anxiety, ADHD, and trauma show up differently in women and marginalized groups. This leads to underdiagnosis, misdiagnosis, and ineffective treatment plans that leave patients feeling even more disconnected.

In our practice, we take a different approach. We specialize in uncovering what’s often missed, whether that’s undiagnosed ADHD in women, atypical depression symptoms in men, or co-occurring conditions masked by years of coping. We utilize science-backed tools, including pharmacogenomic testing, advanced diagnostics, and compassionate interviews, that take into account the full context of your life.

We also recognize how systemic issues like gender bias in mental health care can delay or derail proper treatment. That’s why our providers take time to listen, dig deeper, and tailor your care to your actual needs, not outdated assumptions.

Whether you’ve been told “you’re just stressed” or feel like nothing has worked, it’s not your fault. You may not need more pills, you may need a more personalized, integrative approach or increased neuroplasticity.

At Axis, we treat the person, not the stereotype.

Psychiatry Services Available in Denver, Boulder, and Westminster

We make high-quality care easy to access and covered by insurance. No long waitlists. No jumping between providers.

Our psychiatric services include:

What happens at an integrative psychiatry consultation?

An integrative psychiatry consultation is similar to a standard psychiatric evaluation. Your provider begins with a medical history and symptom review, then asks about your work and home life, stress levels, diet, exercise, and other activities influencing your health. They may also check your vital signs.

Once they have all the information required, your provider produces a personalized treatment plan for you. This could include carefully thought-out medications and custom treatments. They also recommend lifestyle modifications, such as adding regular movement or exercise to your day to improve mood.

Your provider might also address your nutrition and gut health. Friendly gut bacteria produce serotonin and other brain chemicals that affect mood, so promoting better digestion could help you with problems like depression and anxiety.

Use our cheat sheet to learn how to prepare for your first psychiatric appointment.

Meet Our Psychiatry Team

Axis is proud to have one of the most experienced and compassionate psychiatry teams in Colorado.

Boulder-Based Psychiatry Experts

Ben Egbers, PMHNP
Ben brings a unique mix of clinical experience and real-life resilience to his practice. A former assistant professor at Montana State University and PMHNP at Shodair Children’s Hospital, Ben supports patients across the lifespan—from young children with ADHD to adults seeking help with deprescribing or trauma recovery. Fluent in German, a survivor of an avalanche, and sober for years, Ben brings empathy, humor, and clinical precision to every visit—whether in person at our Louisville clinic or via telehealth.

Sarah McLaughlin, PMHNP
Sarah offers expertise in complex diagnoses such as bipolar disorder, panic disorder, borderline personality disorder, and eating recovery. With a minor in theater, she brings an approachable, creative spirit to each session. Her warmth and insight help patients feel seen—and safe to explore lasting change.

Ebony Villarreal, PA-C

Ebony has a strong understanding of the mind-body connection when it comes to mental health. Prior to coming to Axis, Ebony spent 7 years in a primary care setting and received specialized psychiatric training with an advanced TMS therapy certification. For young professional women dealing with anxiety and depression, Ebony can help manage medications and access advanced treatments beyond daily pills.

Westminster-Based Psychiatry Experts

In Westminster, many of our patients come to us after years of feeling overlooked, misdiagnosed, or misunderstood. Providers Heather Markham, Madison Walter, Andrew Wenner and Elinor O’Buckley are here to change that.

Marina Pitsilos, PMHNP-BC
Marina is a Clinical Director at Axis Integrated Mental Health with over a decade spanning direct patient care and healthcare leadership. She takes an integrative approach to psychiatry, leveraging somatic therapy with alternative depression treatments like Deep TMS and Spravato to help patients dealing with trauma, depression, and anxiety heal faster. An advocate for deprescribing, she supports other clinicians with a better understanding of how to do this safely for patients who want to reduce their medication loads or get off of meds gradually.

Elinor O’Buckley, PMHNP-BC
Born in Mexico and raised in Romania, Elinor brings cultural depth and clinical expertise to every visit. She’s open about her own journey with bipolar disorder and treatment-resistant depression, which allows her to create a space of profound trust and safety for her patients. Her care is marked by both clinical precision and deep empathy.

The Westminster team does more than prescribe—they rebuild trust, offer clarity, and partner with you on your path forward.

Madison Walter, PMHNP – Madison Walter earned her PMHNP from Maryville University. She completed her postgraduate residency at the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care system where she trained in outpatient psychiatry for complex conditions for veterans, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, substance abuse disorders, and primary care mental health integration. She also has 4 years of American Sign Language and non-verbal communication classes and communicate with deaf patients.

Andrew Wenner, PMHNP – Andrew Wenner is a CU Boulder alum with training both in psychopharmacology and a strong foundation in Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT). He combines lived experience with overcoming his own anxiety with clinical skills with eating recovery, treatment resistant depression, ADHD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other complex behavioral health conditions.

Denver Based Psychiatry Experts

Located in the Denver suburb of Aurora, our Denver team brings both medical expertise and human connection to each patient encounter. Whether you’re just starting your journey or seeking help after years of trial and error, our Denver providers meet you with curiosity, respect, and a deep commitment to getting you well.

Kayla Sharpe, PMHNP
Kayla specializes in postpartum and perinatal mental health, OCD, and neurodivergence. She draws from personal experience and clinical insight to create tailored treatment plans and lasting therapeutic partnerships. Patients describe her as empathetic, empowering, and deeply present.

Frances Rhodes, WHNP, PMHNP
With dual training in women’s health and psychiatry, Frances is a go-to expert for PMDD, perinatal mental health, and postpartum depression. Her evidence-based yet deeply compassionate style is especially impactful for patients navigating mood changes while pregnant or nursing. She also offers TMS for patients seeking non-medication alternatives.

Ross Van Allen, DNP
A Doctor of Nursing Practice originally from Iowa, Ross has a strong interest in workplace burnout, depression, and holistic recovery. With a laid-back demeanor and an integrative mindset, he helps patients build sustainable paths to better mental health—especially those balancing high-stress careers.

Why Axis Works When Nothing Else Has

Unlike national chains or corporate-owned clinics, we’re locally owned, operated by a woman-led leadership team, and deeply committed to Colorado communities.

We’ve earned:

Recognition as Top Startup of the Year by ColoradoBiz and Best of Mile High™ 2 years running for mental wellness
5-star ratings from hundreds of patients
Coverage on CBS News for our pro bono work and 9 News for our community work and for our first responders program.
Over $400,000 donated in free mental health care to underserved Coloradans

Our mission is simple: get you better, faster, without making the process harder.

Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?

If you’ve tried help before and it didn’t work, you’re not broken. You just need a better approach.

Book your integrative psychiatry consultation today in Denver, Boulder, or Westminster.
Or call us at (720) 400-7025 to speak with our friendly intake team.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between integrative psychiatry and traditional psychiatry?

Traditional psychiatry focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders primarily through medication management. It tends to be a symptom-focused approach. In contrast, integrative psychiatry takes a holistic view, combining conventional treatments with complementary and alternative therapies. While integrative psychiatrists can and do prescribe medication, they also consider the patient’s physical health, lifestyle, nutrition, and environmental factors to address the root causes of their symptoms. This approach often involves things like nutritional counseling, stress management techniques, and other mind-body practices alongside medication and psychotherapy.

2. Can I receive both therapy and medication management through Axis?

Yes, we offer both therapy and medication management services as well as advanced treatments for depression including Deep TMS and Spravato ketamine therapy. They state that you can receive stand-alone therapy or therapy integrated with psychiatric care. The practice’s model is to provide a “holistic, integrative approach,” which often includes combining medication, psychotherapy, and other treatments. They also partner and refer extensively with therapists in the community to ensure the right fit for the patient.

3. What insurance plans does Axis Integrated Mental Health accept?

Axis Integrated Mental Health accepts most major insurance plans, including Anthem/BCBS, Cigna, Aetna, United Health Care, Denver Health Medical POS Plan for employees, and Colorado Access and Denver Health Medicaid plans. We manage the entire prior authorization process to ensure that you maximize your benefits.

4. What are the signs I might need psychiatry instead of therapy?

Therapists and psychiatrists often work together but they are entirely different disciplines. The main difference is that a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication. You might need to see a psychiatrist instead of or in addition to a therapist if:

You have symptoms that are severe and significantly impacting your daily life, such as an inability to function at work or school, or major changes in sleeping or eating patterns.
You are experiencing physical symptoms along with your mental health issues, like a racing heart or chronic fatigue, and need to rule out underlying medical conditions.
You have tried therapy and lifestyle changes, but your symptoms have not improved.
You suspect you may need medication to manage your symptoms, as only a psychiatrist can prescribe it.
You need sign off for paid mental health leave through FAMLI.

5. How do your psychiatrists support women with hormone-related mood changes?

Axis Integrated Mental Health has PMHNPs that were also Women’s Health Practioners and they have specialized support for those facing hormone-related mood changes, perinatal and postpartum depression. Their integrative approach means their psychiatric providers can look at the link between hormonal fluctuations and mental health symptoms. Moreover, their access to non-medication approaches like Deep TMS can go beyond what traditional medications like SSRIs can achieve at delicate times like pregnancy and postpartum. They can also recommend complementary strategies like nutritional counseling or lifestyle modifications to help manage symptoms related to conditions like premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) or perimenopause