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The Gatesville Lion’s Club got to meet one of the newest additions to the Coryell Medical Clinic Team, Mistee Jefferies, board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She was joined by Dr. Jeff Bates, Coryell Memorial Hospital Chief Medical Officer; family nurse practitioner, Crystal Dowell, and Coryell Memorial Healthcare System CEO, David Byrom. Ms. Jefferies spoke about the need for mental health in our community, and how excited she is to be here to help. She also discussed what her scope of practice as Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner includes.

Ms. Jefferies is currently treating patients with the following issues:

• Alcohol Abuse                                    • Childhood Behavioral Issues

• Coping Skills                                      • Depression

• Eating Disorders                                • Family Conflict

• Medication Management                   • Mental Illness

• Mood Disorders                                 • Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum

• Self Esteem                                       • Trauma and PTSD

Ms. Jefferies shared that she gets fulfillment from being able to help her patients change their thoughts and behaviors, to live happy and healthy lives. “It is too easy to say to a depressed patient “stop being depressed” and then give them medication. That doesn’t help.  I teach them how to help themselves. For example, when I have a PTSD patient, the first thing we work on is learning coping strategies. My goal is for every patient to have a “coping took kit” they can rely on when they feel anxiety and stress. The tool kit is full of individualized coping strategies they can apply to help them handle difficult situations,” said Ms. Jefferies.

Ms. Jefferies treats individuals ages 6 and up as well as couples and is located in Coryell Medical Clinic, Building 2.  Call 254-865-2166 to book an appointment, and to find out more about all the services offered by Coryell Memorial Healthcare System, like advanced wound care treatment and options for sleep apnea, please visit the website www.cmhos.org.  

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