Thinking differently about your mental health.
Our team
Michaela Beaver, DNP, PMHNP, FNP
Hello, I'm Michaela (Mishayla).
I am a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and a Family Nurse Practitioner. I am from the Midwest. I graduated from the University of Iowa with my Doctorate degree in 2014. I have been in the health care field for 17 years. I have a passion for working with children and families. I am a full time working mom of two active boys. I understand how complex it is to access mental health care. I can relate with patients who have been suffering with symptoms and don't know where to start looking for help, who may feel the stigma and fear that someone won't understand or see you.
Laura Wood, LPC-S, EMDRT
I started my journey into the counseling field about 15 years ago when I realized that I had the power to make a change in my own life. The vision I had for my life seemed so far in the distance. Trauma and fear had been running the show for far too long.
I realized that to know yourself, accept yourself, and stand up for yourself are the core experiences necessary to heal from a lifetime of traumatic control.
This is the foundation of my work. Along the way, I met mentors, teachers, and friends who gave me tools to build myself up so that I can translate my own journey into a template for helping others.
Sarah Bortz, DNP, ARNP, PMHNP-BC
Dr. Sarah Bortz is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a Doctorate in Nursing Practice and over a decade of experience helping individuals and families navigate mental health challenges with compassion and clinical expertise. She is known for her calm presence, exceptional listening skills, and unwavering commitment to creating a safe, supportive space for healing. Sarah specializes in working with clients in high-stress situations who are struggling to manage the demands of daily life, parenting, and personal well-being. She understands how easily burnout, anxiety, and emotional fatigue can take over—and how isolating that experience can feel. Her approach is grounded in empathy and partnership, helping women feel empowered, balanced, and reconnected to themselves. In addition to her work with adults, Sarah is passionate about supporting the mental health of children and adolescents. She provides developmentally appropriate care that helps young clients strengthen emotional regulation, resilience, and confidence—while also guiding parents through the challenges of modern parenting. Sarah brings deep expertise in psychiatric medication management, combining evidence-based prescribing with a personalized, collaborative approach. She helps clients explore medication options with clarity and confidence, ensuring that treatment plans align with their values, needs, and goals. At Core Self, Sarah integrates thoughtful, individualized care with proven psychiatric strategies—supporting individuals and families in creating meaningful, lasting change.
Sarah understands the fundamental truth that people need to feel heard. The journey to your well-being cannot happen without you! She understands how strong and resilient people can be, but understands we often forget that truth. It is OK to not be OK, as long as you keep moving forward.
Sarah spends her free time with her family and friends, exploring the valley and beyond. She enjoys trying new restaurants with her husband and children, painting, and reading a good book.
Sydney Simeus, LPC-S, EMDRT
From an early age, I have been deeply committed to understanding others and offering compassion, care, and empathy to those facing challenges. I knew that I wanted to carry this passion into my career, striving to be a source of light for those navigating difficult times. My own experiences with counseling have reinforced the profound impact that support and guidance can have, and I am dedicated to walking alongside others on their journey toward healing.
If you have experienced trauma, high levels of stress, or difficult life transitions that are affecting your daily life, self-esteem, or relationships, know that you deserve support—and you are not alone.
If you feel stuck or weighed down by the past, I want to help you recognize your own resilience and empower you to embrace positive change. I truly believe that no one should have to face life’s challenges alone, and I am committed to providing a consistent, safe, and supportive environment where healing can take place.