Psychiatry in Irvine, California Sheena Backer, Nurse Practitioner

Sheena Backer helps children, teens, and adults across California find stability and healing through thoughtful, evidence-based psychiatric care. As a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) at LifeStance Health, she provides medication management and individual therapy for individuals ages 6 through 64. Her clinical approach blends psychopharmacology with therapeutic insight to support clients facing a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, and co-occurring substance use challenges. Whether treating a child struggling with school avoidance or an adult navigating a life transition, Sheena meets each client with compassion, expertise, and a deep respect for their lived experience.

With a special focus on complex and often misunderstood conditions, Sheena works extensively with clients dealing with ADHD, psychosis, and eating disorders. She is skilled at identifying nuanced symptoms and designing personalized treatment plans that align with her clients’ goals and values. Drawing from modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness practices, she offers a collaborative, integrative framework for healing. Her practice includes support for LGBTQ+ individuals, military veterans, and those on the autism spectrum, with additional experience in treating OCD, grief, sleep disorders, and postpartum depression and anxiety.

Sheena is particularly passionate about integrating holistic care into her work—honoring the mind-body connection while addressing root causes of distress. Her approach reflects a deep commitment to mental health advocacy and lifelong learning, especially in the evolving fields of integrative psychiatry and psychopharmacology. By incorporating mindfulness, parenting skills, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), she supports sustainable growth and resilience in individuals of all ages.

Outside of clinical care, Sheena values balance and connection. She practices yoga and meditation, enjoys hiking and reading, and finds inspiration in learning how different cultures approach mental health. She also finds joy in travel and spending time with loved ones by the ocean—experiences that enrich her perspective and deepen her empathy as a provider.