Hi, I’m Jennifer Matzke

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Mental Health Provider

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West Des Moines

Accepting New Patients

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Jennifer is an integrative psychiatric clinician offering comprehensive behavioral and medication management, to treat ADHD, anxiety, depression, and related mood and cognitive disorders; with a patient-centered approach that combines evidence-based pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy-informed interventions, and holistic wellness strategies, she tailors treatment plans to individual needs, emphasizes measurable outcomes and safety, and supports whole-person recovery through collaborative care for adults and adolescents seeking relief from persistent symptoms. Book an appointment with Jennifer for personalized, comprehensive mental healthcare.

Accepting: Wellmark BCBS, United Healthcare, Aetna.

Other insurance payers are pending.

Jennifer’s Services

Discover the services Jennifer offers to help you move forward with confidence, wherever your next step takes you.

Patient Population
Ages:
All Ages
Gender: All Genders

  • Are you unsure what’s causing your distress or which treatment will help? Jennifer Matzke provides thorough psychiatric consultation to identify what’s going on and create a clear, personalized plan. With a calm, integrative approach, Jennifer evaluates symptoms, medical history, medication effects, lifestyle factors, and co-occurring conditions to deliver diagnostic clarity, targeted recommendations, and coordinated care with your primary clinician.

    Who Jennifer helps and what she assesses

    • Trouble concentrating, distractibility, impulsivity, hyperactivity — ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) in adults and adolescents

    • Persistent low mood, loss of interest, fatigue, sleep changes, suicidal thoughts — MDD (Major Depressive Disorder)

    • Extreme mood swings tied to menstrual cycles, irritability, anxiety, and physical symptoms — PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder)

    • Depression and mood changes after childbirth, anxiety about parenting — PPD (Postpartum Depression)

    • Generalized anxiety, chronic worry, restlessness, tension — GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder)

    • Panic attacks, sudden intense fear, heart palpitations, avoidance behaviors — Panic Disorder

    • Social anxiety, fear of social situations, avoidance of public interactions — Social Anxiety Disorder

    • Obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, intrusive repetitive patterns — OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)

    • Trauma-related symptoms, flashbacks, hypervigilance, nightmares — PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

    • Bipolar spectrum symptoms: depressive episodes, hypomania or mania, mood cycling

    • Sleep disturbances, insomnia, hypersomnia, circadian rhythm concerns

    • Irritability, anger management issues, emotional dysregulation

    • Memory complaints, brain fog, cognitive slowing possibly related to mood or medication

    • Substance use concerns and co-occurring mental health disorders

    • Emotional symptoms associated with chronic medical conditions, chronic pain, or hormonal changes

    • Suicidal ideation, self-harm thoughts, crisis assessment and safety planning

    • Medication side effects, polypharmacy concerns, and need for medication optimization

    • Neurodiversity-related concerns (autism spectrum, executive functioning differences)

    • Eating concerns, appetite changes, body image distress, disordered eating patterns

    • Grief, adjustment problems after life transitions, work or relationship stress

    • Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, fertility-related emotional distress

    What to expect in a psychiatric consultation with Jennifer

    • Comprehensive symptom review and mental health history, including family history and prior treatments

    • Medical and medication reconciliation to identify interactions, side effects, or contributors to symptoms

    • Screening and assessment for ADHD, PMDD, PPD, MDD, anxiety disorders, trauma, bipolar disorder, and other conditions

    • Use of validated screening tools as appropriate (e.g., ADHD, depression, anxiety scales)

    • Diagnostic clarity: distinguishing overlapping symptoms (e.g., ADHD vs. anxiety vs. mood disorder)

    • Personalized treatment recommendations: medication options, psychotherapy referrals, lifestyle and sleep interventions, and integrative approaches

    • Coordination with your primary care or specialty providers for holistic care and follow-up plans

    • Safety planning and crisis resources when needed

    Why choose Jennifer Matzke for psychiatric consultation

    • Special expertise in Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, OCD, and Mood-Related symptoms

    • Integrative, patient-centered approach that considers medical, hormonal, lifestyle, and psychosocial contributors

    • Focus on clear diagnosis, practical treatment plans, and coordination of care to reduce confusion and restore function

    • Support for medication management, treatment optimization, and referrals to therapy or specialty services

    If you’re struggling with unclear symptoms — whether it’s attention problems, low mood, anxiety, panic, trauma-related issues, or a combination — Jennifer Matzke’s psychiatric consultations aim to provide clarity, actionable recommendations, and compassionate support to help you move forward. Book an appointment to get a thorough evaluation and a clear path toward better mental health.

  • Jennifer Matzke provides personalized, integrative medication management that treats medications as one part of a comprehensive care plan. Focused on whole-person health, Jennifer helps patients optimize medications for safety, effectiveness, and quality of life while combining lifestyle, and behavioral strategies to reduce reliance on long-term pharmacotherapy when appropriate.

    What Jennifer offers

    • Comprehensive medication reviews: Evaluate all prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements to identify interactions, duplications, and opportunities to simplify regimens.

    • Individualized deprescribing plans: Safely reduce or discontinue medications when clinically appropriate, with close monitoring and gradual tapering to minimize withdrawal and relapse risk.

    • Collaborative care coordination: Work with primary care providers, specialists, and mental health clinicians to align medication strategies with broader treatment goals.

    • Risk and side-effect management: Monitor adverse effects, adjust dosing, and choose safer alternatives to improve tolerability and adherence.

    • Integrative alternatives and adjuncts: Incorporate nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene, stress reduction, and evidence-based supplements to support symptom management and reduce medication dependence.

    • Patient education and shared decision-making: Empower patients with clear information about benefits, risks, and realistic expectations so they can make informed choices about their medication use.

    Who benefits

    • Adults seeking to reduce polypharmacy and medication burden

    • Patients managing chronic conditions (e.g., pain, anxiety, depression, metabolic disease) who want integrative options

    • Individuals starting new medications who want a thorough review and safety plan

    • Families and caregivers needing coordination across multiple prescribers

    Why choose Jennifer Matzke

    • Integrative, whole-person approach that treats medication as one tool among many

    • Emphasis on safety, evidence-based deprescribing, and preserving quality of life

    • Personalized plans rooted in patient values and long-term wellness goals

    • Local, accessible care in Des Moines with coordinated follow-up

    Book an appointment with Jennifer Matzke for integrative medication management that prioritizes safety, minimizes unnecessary medication burden, and supports sustainable, holistic health.

  • Jennifer Matzke provides personalized behavioral management services rooted in integrative medicine, designed to improve mood, focus, and daily functioning for children, adolescents, and adults. Using evidence-based behavioral interventions, practical coping strategies, and collaborative care planning, Jennifer helps patients and families address anxiety, ADHD, mood disorders, sleep problems, and behavioral challenges — either as a standalone service or combined with medication management.

    What to expect

    • Comprehensive assessment of behavior, routines, triggers, and strengths

    • Individualized behavior plans tailored to age, diagnosis, and family goals

    • Skills training: cognitive-behavioral techniques, emotion regulation, executive function supports, and parent coaching

    • Lifestyle and integrative recommendations: sleep hygiene, nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction

    • Coordination with primary care and specialists; medication management available when appropriate

    • Ongoing monitoring with measurable goals and adjustments over time

    Benefits

    • Reduced disruptive behaviors and improved daily functioning

    • Better coping skills for anxiety, mood dysregulation, and attention difficulties

    • Practical tools for parents, caregivers, and teachers to support consistent progress

    • Holistic care that combines behavioral strategies with medical oversight when needed

    Ideal for

    • Families seeking non-pharmacologic approaches first

    • Patients who prefer a combined approach using therapy and medication management

    • Children with school-related behavior or attention issues

    • Teens and adults struggling with anxiety, mood, or executive function challenges

    Jennifer offers compassionate, integrative behavioral management grounded in clinical expertise and family-centered care. Her collaborative approach emphasizes measurable outcomes, practical strategies you can use at home and school, and careful coordination of medication management only when it supports long-term wellness.

    Book an appointment with Jennifer Matzke to develop a customized behavioral plan that fits your family’s needs — with or without medication management.

  • Jennifer Matzke provides dedicated, evidence-based mental health care tailored to the unique needs of first responders. With a deep understanding of the occupational stressors and culture of emergency services, Jennifer offers confidential, compassionate treatment designed to help firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMTs, and paramedics manage acute stress, cumulative trauma, and the emotional toll of high-risk work. Her approach blends psychiatric expertise, trauma-informed therapy, medication management when appropriate, and practical coping strategies to restore resilience, improve functioning, and support long-term wellbeing.

    Who she treats

    • Firefighters (career and volunteer)

    • Police officers and sheriff’s deputies

    • EMTs and paramedics

    • Dispatchers and 911 call-takers

    • Other emergency services personnel and disaster response teams

    Conditions and concerns treated

    • Acute stress reactions and crisis intervention

    • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex trauma

    • Depression and anxiety disorders

    • Panic attacks and sleep disturbances, including shift-work insomnia

    • Occupational stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue

    • Substance use concerns related to occupational stress

    • Anger management and impulse control issues

    • Suicide risk assessment, safety planning, and ongoing support

    • Performance-impairing symptoms that affect duty-readiness, concentration, and decision-making

    Jennifer’s practice recognizes the confidential, time-sensitive, and culturally specific needs of first responders. She offers flexible scheduling, practical treatment plans aligned with high-stress work schedules, and a nonjudgmental environment that values safety, privacy, and real-world solutions. Treatment integrates psychotherapy, trauma-focused modalities, and medication management when clinically indicated, always coordinated with the patient’s preferences and occupational requirements.

    If you're a first responder seeking specialized mental health care, schedule an appointment with Jennifer Matzke, PMHNP, to get confidential, tailored support for stress, trauma, and emotional health.

Professional Experience & Credentials

  • Master’s in Nursing: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

  • Board Certified PMHNP

  • Specialty: Mental Health

“I believe mental health care should meet you where you are. My approach is rooted in compassion and respect, taking time to understand your full story and the realities you carry. I have a deep appreciation for the unique pressures and cumulative trauma that can come with roles like first responders, and I’m committed to creating a space where you feel seen and supported. Together, we build a personalized plan that fits your life and helps you move forward.
— Jennifer Matzke

My Background

My approach to mental health care is rooted in compassion, respect, and meeting individuals where they are. I am deeply committed to supporting others on their path to wellness, with a particular passion for serving First Responders. I understand the unique pressures, critical incidents, and cumulative trauma that can come with these roles, and I am dedicated to providing a safe, supportive space for healing.

I have experience working with First Responders, offering thoughtful and individualized medication management to address concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, and mood-related symptoms. I recognize the strength it takes to seek support and strive to provide care that is both approachable and tailored to the realities of high-stress professions.

In addition to my focused work with First Responders, I serve individuals of all ages, ensuring each person receives holistic, personalized, and compassionate mental health care.

Book an Appointment

If Jennifer’s approach to care resonates with you, use the button below to book your appointment today. She looks forward to supporting your journey to greater health, connection, and vitality.​