Season Health - Wichita, KS

08/15/2025

Today marks ten years since my nephew, Christopher, died by su***de. His loss changed the course of my life and career in ways I could never have imagined.

It began at the bedside, as an OB nurse, becoming more intentional—and more direct—in talking with patients about the very real risk of su***de during the postpartum period. Su***de is one of the leading causes of death for new parents in the first year after birth, yet it’s still too often overlooked in routine care.

That awareness grew into a deep commitment to help people struggling with mental health challenges, particularly those living with trauma and complex PTSD rooted in early life experiences. From that commitment, Season has grown into what it is today—a practice grounded in trauma-informed care, striving every day to break stigma, provide safe spaces, and offer compassionate, comprehensive support.

Christopher is a part of this work every single day.

If you are struggling, please know you are not alone. Support is out there, and reaching out can be the first step toward healing.
988 Su***de and Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988 (U.S.)

To those who have been part of this journey—supporting me as a nurse, a grad student, and now as the founder of Season—thank you. Your belief in this mission helps make this work possible.

💙 Stacey

08/13/2025

Stacey and Amanda are no longer practicing full scope midwifery (which means we aren’t attending births). Sam is an amazing certified nurse-midwife and Season is so excited for her! This is a great option in Wichita, for anyone who wants out of hospital birth with a CNM.

08/11/2025

“Human connection is the best protection against su***de.” Be the name on someone’s safety plan. Make a difference in the world.

1491 likes, 39 comments. “ Soldier Official Definitely worth the watch. Citizen Soldier is an inspiration to so many people. Their music affects others in such a positive way. I’m so glad I discovered them, especially since I just graduated with my Masters in Social Work. Will forever su...

08/09/2025

If you are experiencing perimenopause or menopause symptoms, and your gyn clinician is telling you “no way, no how,” maybe it’s time to consider a change. We practice evidence based care based on the most recent evidence.

I hear this all the time:
“My doctor said I can’t take estrogen because of clot risk.”
But here’s the truth: not all estrogen is the same, and not all routes of administration carry the same risk—especially for women with clotting disorders or a history of DVT.
📑 According to ACOG Committee Opinion No. 556, and multiple large studies, the increased clotting risk is primarily associated with oral estrogen. Why?
Because when taken orally, estrogen goes through the liver first (the “first-pass effect”), where it can increase prothrombotic clotting factors.
💡 But transdermal estrogen (patches, gels, sprays) bypasses the liver and does not appear to increase clot risk—even in women with known risk factors.
📊 In the Estrogen and Thromboembolism Risk (ESTHER) study:
    •    Oral estrogen increased the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) by over 4x
    •    Transdermal estrogen? No increased risk compared to non-users
✅ Even in women with prothrombotic mutations like Factor V Leiden, studies show transdermal estradiol is safewhen prescribed appropriately.
🌿 Also worth noting:
Natural micronized progesterone does not increase clot risk, while synthetic progestins (like medroxyprogesterone acetate) can.

📍 Takeaway:
DVT history or a clotting disorder does not mean you must avoid all estrogen.
It means your clinician should:
    •    ✅ Use transdermal routes (patches, gels, sprays, or vaginal ring for systemic use)
    •    ✅ Avoid oral estrogen
    •    ✅ Consider natural progesterone if needed
    •    ✅ Assess you as a whole person, not a blanket contraindication
🙅‍♀️ Saying “no estrogen ever” is outdated, lazy medicine.
🧠 This is why shared decision-making and up-to-date evidence are non-negotiable.
🩺 Source: ACOG Committee Opinion No. 556 & ESTHER Study

07/24/2025

Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) and histamine intolerance have been getting a lot of lime light lately. There is a lot of correlation with Ehler's Danlos syndrome (EDS) and both of these are being investigated for rates of comorbidity with autism.

This guy has some suggestions for OTC supplements to calm down those mast cells. I looked up Dr Zachary Spiritos and he's got the credentials.

If you think any of these might be you, come see us!
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17EMRpbLQp/

Send a message to learn more

07/14/2025

We see you!! Happy non-binary people's day!!

07/10/2025

Only an autistic person can Identify how Impacted they are by their autism. This Is not for clinicians to decide for them

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/169ku9Kdoc/?mibextid=wwXIfrs

I was visiting an intellectual and developmental disability service when a young autistic man walked up to me and looked me straight in the eye. I began to introduce myself, but before I could finish, the service manager cut in, “He’s level 3, he's severe!” she barked. The young man looked down at his hands, turned, and walked away.

I wasn’t told his name, how he communicates, what he loves, what makes him laugh. The label had spoken so loudly, it drowned out everything else. I felt a wave of sadness and quiet anger, not just at the words, but at how quickly they erased the person standing right in front of me.

“Severe,” she called him, and just like that, expectations get lowered. Don’t expect too much. Don’t try too hard. Don’t listen too closely. When labels are used in this way, they don’t describe people; they describe how others have chosen to treat them.

The thing is, people aren’t products on a shelf. You can’t line them up and rank them mild, moderate, severe like grades of cheese or weather alerts. The problem with this kind of labeling is that it flattens people. It turns rich, complex human lives into medical shorthand.

What’s “mild” about struggling to make friends? What’s “severe” about needing help to speak but having deep insight to share?

People are more than their support needs. When we use labels like this we’re not supporting them, we’re limiting them. The truth is, everyone communicates, everyone connects, and everyone deserves to be seen as fully human. Let’s not let a label get in the way of that.

Instead of reaching for labels, let’s reach for understanding. Say how someone communicates, what brings them comfort, what excites them, what they want from the world.

Our support should start with listening, not sorting. When we lead with curiosity and respect, we open the door to real connection, and that’s where true support begins.
..

ID: Man standing looking at his iPad. Words over his eyes read 'Severe Autism.' Text above image reads: Why you need to stop ranking autistic people.

07/06/2025

An important lesson for conflict: don’t use your feelings to describe another person.

Phew! That’s a big one!

72.7K likes, 1142 comments. “Firm doesn’t mean harsh. Gentle doesn’t mean passive. This is what it looks like to teach emotional accountability with love. I was just recording myself cleaning the kitchen when Ocean came in, visibly upset. W***y had told her she was annoying—all because she w...

07/02/2025

We are so excited to announce Macy Pennington APRN PMHNP-BC and FNP-C is joining Season Health! She is going to be a little bit non-traditional and will be doing psych/mental health telehealth only for the next year. Once she joins us in person, she will begin providing primary care services along with psych/mental health. She will be scheduling to see patients within the next 2 weeks for Medicaid & private pay patient, and will be adding more payers as contracting completes. If you've called and been made aware of our long waits, then you know how happy we are to be adding Macy. Help us welcome her!

06/27/2025

When we have reached the level of parenting where we are able to view our child’s behavior as communication of an unmet need, we become much better and more attuned parents.

When we learn to apply this to ourselves, we become much better and more attuned humans.

When you feel irritable and are snapping at those around you, you are communicating an unmet need. When this happens, can you take a step back and ask yourself “what do I need right now?” Food? A nap? A break from the kids? When we identify the need, we have the opportunity to meet this need. Sometimes we can’t immediately. And that’s ok. Acknowledging that you are snapping at the kids because you have an unmet need gives you the space to remind yourself it’s not about the kids. They are just doing normal kid stuff. This can allow you to regulate your emotions and handle business for now while making a plan to meet that need later. Knowing what you need and that there is a plan to take care of your self can give you the resources to get through the last few hours until you can attend to your need.

06/22/2025

This is too often what people experience. Season strives to be different. We will listen. We will order the tests. We will send the appropriate specialist referrals. Come see us. Be seen and heard.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1ZHqYBgLny/?mibextid=wwXIfr