What Makes Keri Kendall with Green Peacock Psychiatry a Good Neighbor?

Mental health care remains one of the most misunderstood areas of healthcare, yet it affects nearly every person at some point in their lives. In a recent episode of the Good Neighbor Podcast, host Sophia Yvette sat down with Keri Kendall, a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and founder of Green Peacock Psychiatry, to discuss mental health care, common misconceptions, and how psychiatric treatment works for different age groups and belief systems.

Keri's journey to psychiatric care wasn't straightforward. Following a personal hardship—a divorce when her child was just one year old—she found herself at a crossroads, caring for a special needs child which sparked her interest in healthcare. This led her to community college classes and eventually to Baylor University's nursing program. Though she started as a cardiac nurse, Keri always knew mental health was her calling. Her clinical rotation in psychiatric care confirmed this passion, becoming her favorite specialty "by far." This personal connection to her work informs her approach with patients, bringing empathy and understanding to every interaction.

One of the most powerful moments in the conversation came when Keri addressed the biggest misconception in mental healthcare: "The brain is an organ just like your heart, just like your kidneys, just like your lungs," she explained, "and if you had a problem with one of those, you would be sitting in the doctor's office trying to address it." This perspective helps normalize psychiatric treatment, positioning mental health care as no different from treating any other medical condition. Keri noted that people who struggle to breathe "would probably be begging for medication," yet often hesitate when it comes to treating the brain. She emphasizes that mental health needs can be temporary—sometimes medication is needed for recovery during specific life stages, while other conditions may require ongoing treatment.

Green Peacock Psychiatry serves patients from age five through 64, focusing on those "serious about addressing their mental health." When asked why five is her starting age, Keri explained that this is typically when children enter structured learning environments where concentration difficulties or behavioral issues become more apparent and potentially disruptive to development. It's the age when children are expected to "sit still in a classroom" and meet academic expectations, making it an appropriate time to address potential mental health concerns that could impede learning.

What truly sets Keri's practice apart is her collaborative approach to treatment. "It's about you," she emphasizes to potential patients. "You know you best." Rather than dictating treatment plans, she works with each individual to determine comfortable approaches, addressing questions and concerns together. This team-oriented perspective creates a supportive environment where patients feel empowered in their mental health journey. For those considering psychiatric care but uncertain about the time commitment, Keri outlined a typical treatment timeline: an hour-long initial evaluation, followed by shorter follow-up appointments every few weeks initially, eventually extending to every three months for stable patients.

Keri also thoughtfully addressed the intersection of faith and psychiatric care. For those who prioritize faith-based approaches, she acknowledged the value of church communities in providing support, meditation opportunities, and positive mental health pathways. Rather than positioning psychiatric care as an alternative to faith-based support, she suggested they can work together, especially when someone feels they need "a boost in their mood" or finds that faith-based counseling alone isn't addressing all their needs. This inclusive perspective recognizes that mental health care can and should be holistic, incorporating various support systems that matter to the individual.

To learn more about Green Peacock Psychiatry, go to: https://greenpeacockpsychiatry.com/

 Green Peacock Psychiatry

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