Deb Carpenter, PMHCNS-BC

With more than 40 years of experience in psychiatric care, I have worked with patients across nearly every level of treatment. I am a Board Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, and was among the first APRNs in Indiana to obtain prescriptive authority when it became available in the 1990s. Since then, my practice has focused on psychiatric medication management. Even after all these years, I remain fascinated by this work and passionate about helping people feel better.

Today, I work exclusively with adults and most commonly treat mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and adjustment disorders. I have a particular interest in women’s mental health throughout the reproductive lifespan, including PMDD, infertility, pregnancy, postpartum concerns, breastfeeding, perimenopause, and menopause.

My approach is open, accepting, straightforward, and highly interactive. I look at the whole person rather than psychiatric symptoms in isolation. Physical health, medications, hormones, relationships, stress, and life circumstances can all affect mental health and are important pieces of the treatment picture.

Education is also a big part of how I practice. I want you to understand what may be happening, why I am recommending a particular treatment, and what your options are. I will give you my clinical recommendations and be honest with you, but I view treatment as a partnership and want you to be an active participant in your care.

Your first appointment will include a thorough psychiatric evaluation, including your mental health and medication history, medical conditions, current medications, substance use, and other factors that may be affecting how you feel. From there, we’ll talk about potential diagnoses and develop a treatment plan together. That may include medication, psychotherapy, coordination with another medical provider, or further evaluation of medical or hormonal concerns.

One thing you’ll learn about me pretty quickly is that I’m straightforward. I assume that if you’ve decided to come in, you want something to change. I will work hard to help you get there, and I’ll ask you to be engaged in the process with me.

Most of all, I hope you leave our first appointment feeling heard, informed, and encouraged, with a clearer understanding of what we’re going to do next and why. I often remind patients that nothing is permanent. When you’re struggling, it can be hard to imagine feeling differently, but things can change. Making the decision to ask for help is already a step forward.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my adult children, family and friends, and my golden retriever. I love game nights, good food and conversation, live music and theater, Lake Michigan, and I’m currently learning Mahjong. I’m also active in my church community and believe there’s always room in life for humor, curiosity, and discovering something new.