Chris Hawthorne (formerly Heck)

Founder / PA-C

Coming soon

I started this practice to do slow, careful work. That is the whole point of it.

Chris is a Psychiatric Physician Assistant who listens closely and stays with his patients over time. He treats both the science of psychiatry and a person's own experience of their life as essential to getting the care right.

Background

Chris grew up in McHenry, Illinois, and came to Iowa for school. He earned his undergraduate degree, his master's, and his physician assistant training all at the University of Iowa, and stayed to build his practice in the community that trained him.

How I Practice

Like kintsugi, my approach values integration over erasure. What has already been tried, what hasn't worked, and what has been endured all matter. Those experiences directly shape care.

The right way to practice psychiatry depends on the person sitting in front of you.

My approach is shaped by attentiveness and adaptability. I adjust how I show up based on who I'm working with, recognizing that different people need different things from care. Some want clear structure and direct guidance. Others need space, curiosity, or time to build trust. Effective treatment begins with understanding that difference.

I work collaboratively. You make the decisions about your care with me. My job is to bring clinical judgment and pattern recognition you cannot get from inside the problem, and to take your own experience and goals seriously.

When I use medication, I weigh context, past responses, and tolerability, and avoid unnecessary trial-and-error. Adjustments are made deliberately, with clear reasoning and shared understanding.

I value the therapeutic relationship. People tend to do best when they feel heard. My goal is a space where honest conversation is easy and progress is steady over time.

Conditions Chris treats

Chris treats ADHD, insomnia, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and men's mental health. Appointments are available via telehealth across Iowa.

Chris is not yet accepting new patients. His practice opens soon. If you would like to be reached when he begins scheduling, feel free to say hello through our contact page.