As a combat medic serving two deployments with the U.S. Army, Michael Speed, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC witnessed something that quietly changed the direction of his life: the wounds that needed the most attention were not always the ones you could see. Today, as a psychiatric nurse practitioner, he brings that same clarity of purpose, and understanding of human resilience, to every patient he serves.
Education and Background
After completing his active-duty service from 2002 to 2007, Michael pursued his RN degree and spent nearly nine years providing psychiatric care at Primary Children’s Hospital, where working alongside young patients and their families deepened both his clinical skills and his commitment to the field. He returned to school and earned his Doctor of Nursing Practice with a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Board Certification from the University of Utah. During his graduate studies, he gained hands-on experience in outpatient psychiatry at the VA Hospital, adding meaningful expertise in the unique mental health needs of veterans.
Care Philosophy
Michael believes that mental health is not a destination; it is a journey, and that meaningful progress takes patience, honesty, and genuine partnership. His values, compassion, collaboration, respect, integrity, and perseverance, are not words on a wall. They are the direct product of everything he has experienced. He treats each patient the way he would want his own family to be treated: as a whole person, never reduced to a diagnosis. He listens not just to what patients say, but to what lies beneath it. And he is transparent about what is working and what needs to change, because he believes patients deserve a provider who is always in their corner.
Personal Interests
Michael grew up on a small farm in Michigan, raising steers for the county fair and learning the values of hard work and community from an early age. Those roots are still very much a part of who he is. He loves spending time outdoors with his family, whether that is hiking, camping, fishing, or out on the water. At home, he plays guitar and banjo and spends time in his workshop doing metalwork and blacksmithing. He is a father of three and lives near family in the Provo area, a place he loves for its tight-knit community and easy access to the mountains.
What to Expect
When you walk through Michael’s door, you will be met with sincere, unhurried care and a space where you feel safe enough to share your whole story. He understands the courage it takes to seek help, and he does not take that lightly. From your very first session, he will work with you to understand your goals, build a personalized treatment plan, and stay right beside you through every step of the process, including the hard ones. He will celebrate your progress with you and will never give up on you. Whatever your journey looks like, you will not be walking it alone.