Janel Hillstrom, DNP, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC began her academic career at age 15, entering the nursing profession as a Licensed Practical Nurse by 18. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Brigham Young University and completed her Master’s degree at Washington State University, becoming a certified Family Nurse Practitioner in 2007.

Practicing in primary care during the economic recession, Dr. Hillstrom identified a consistent pattern of patients presenting with somatic symptoms rooted in untreated mental health conditions. This clinical insight shaped her long-term focus on integrating medical and psychiatric care.

To address this gap, she pursued advanced psychiatric training, completing a Post-Master’s Certificate as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Johns Hopkins University in 2020, followed by a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Weber State University in 2024.

Dr. Hillstrom’s practice is defined by a dual-certified, systems-level approach that bridges primary care and mental health. She specializes in identifying the psychiatric drivers of physical symptoms and delivering integrated, patient-centered care that improves both mental and medical outcomes.

Dr. Hillstrom works with individuals across the lifespan, from childhood through older adulthood, and is committed to serving patients from diverse backgrounds.

She is particularly dedicated to supporting individuals who are new to mental health care or may feel apprehensive about engaging with a psychiatric provider. Dr. Hillstrom is a strong advocate for destigmatizing mental health and strives to create an environment where patients feel understood, supported, and not alone in their experiences.

Drawing on her background in family practice, she takes a systems-oriented approach to care, recognizing the role of family dynamics and genetic predisposition in the development of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions. This perspective allows her to deliver comprehensive, individualized care that considers the broader context of each patient’s life.

She has specialized training in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder, with additional clinical experience in binge eating disorder, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).