Compassionate Depression Treatment in Boulder: Meet Sarah McLaughlin, PMHNP

From ICU Nurse to Mental Health Healer: Sarah’s Journey to Psychiatry

Sarah McLaughlin didn’t start in psychiatry—but she was always meant to end up here. Beginning her nursing career in high-stakes cardiac ICUs, Sarah excelled in critical thinking and fast-paced environments. But she noticed something: what lit her up most wasn’t the adrenaline, it was connection.

“I loved hearing people’s life stories,” she says. “I’ve always felt most fulfilled building deep relationships.”

That insight—combined with her own journey healing from perfectionism and anxiety—led Sarah to shift into the mental health field. Today, she’s a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), offering depression treatment in Boulder that’s rooted in warmth, realness, and deep listening.

Why Sarah’s Approach to Depression Treatment Stands Out

Sarah’s training at Frontier Nursing University combined with clinical experience at places like Eating Recovery Center and Ketamine Wellness Center means she brings serious skills to her practice. She’s worked with patients facing depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, and trauma.

But what sets Sarah apart isn’t just her clinical toolkit—it’s how she shows up.

“Younger me deserved more mental peace,” Sarah reflects. “Now I help others get there faster.”

Whether you're feeling stuck in a cycle of self-criticism or navigating overwhelming burnout, Sarah blends evidence-based medication management with lived empathy. She’s especially passionate about helping women, neurodivergent patients, and those struggling with eating disorders or anxiety.

Finding Peace: Sarah’s Tools for Real-Life Mental Health

Sarah believes healing isn’t just about prescriptions—it’s about the small rituals that ground us. She encourages simple but powerful habits like taking mindful walks, prioritizing sleep, and building bedtime routines.

When she’s not seeing patients, you’ll find her hiking Colorado trails, figure skating, or piecing together photo albums of life’s adventures. And yes, she still loves a good thrift store find.

Offering Depression Treatment in Boulder with Heart and Science

Sarah is now seeing patients at Axis Integrated Mental Health, where she provides psychiatry and medication management in Boulder. Her philosophy aligns perfectly with Axis’ mission: fast, insurance-covered access to comprehensive mental health care—from therapy to advanced treatments like TMS and Spravato.

Ready to start feeling better?
Book an appointment with Sarah today and take the first step toward real healing.

Depression Treatment Resources

1. How Social Prescribing Transforms Mental Health
2. CU Boulder Mental Health Resources
3. What's the Difference Between Deep TMS and Traditional TMS?
4. The State of LGBTQ Mental Health in Colorado

FAQs 

1. Who is a trusted provider for depression treatment in Boulder County?
2. What kind of depression treatments are available in Boulder County?
3. What makes Axis Integrated Mental Health or Sarah different from other providers in Boulder?
4. Can I get depression treatments like TMS and esketamine covered by insurance in Boulder?
5. How soon can I start advanced depression treatments in Boulder?