Sessions are conducted primarily online through secure telehealth for clients across Oregon, Washington, and Maine. If you are located in the Portland area and interested in meeting with a provider in person, please contact our office at (207) 316-2609 to discuss current availability.
Sydney Ouellette - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
A Calm, Collaborative Approach to Medication, Centered Around You
You may be here feeling a little bit overwhelmed, unsure of what you need, or wondering if medication can help, but not quite sure where to start. Know that you’re not alone in that experience, and I’m here to guide you.
My goal is to offer a space where we can slow things down, talk through what you’ve been noticing, and figure out what kind of support feels right for you. As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I take a thoughtful, collaborative approach to your care.
Whether we explore medication or not, everything we do is centered around what feels comfortable, manageable, and aligned for you. I have a deep belief that healing is possible with support you can trust and feel safe around, and I’m here to support you in finding what helps you feel more like yourself again.
Let’s Bring a More Human Approach to Psychiatric Care
When we work together, I see you as the whole person you are, with a unique story, strengths, and capacity to grow in the ways that speak to you. I genuinely want to sit with you and take the time to understand who you are, not just what symptoms you notice, because you are so much more than that.
Together, we’ll create a plan that feels like a true reflection of your values, goals, and what’s manageable in this season of life. I hope that you feel both seen and heard every time we speak, because for so many people, that’s where things start to shift.
What You Can Expect As We Work Together
From the start, I want you to come into sessions feeling calm, supported, and encouraged to share what’s on your mind. It’s normal to wonder what to expect in those first few sessions, so let’s break that down.
Your first appointment is where we’ll talk through what’s been going on, what’s felt hard, and what you’re hoping for. This is when you don’t have to worry about coming prepared with the perfect words at all. Instead, we can work together to make sense of what moving forward can look like for you.
From there, follow-up visits give us time to check in and adjust anything that’s needed, making sure your care continues to feel helpful and in line with what we talked about in appointment one.
You can always come to me with honesty about how you’re feeling, both emotionally and physically, so you know your questions are answered, and you have someone on your side who’s always honoring where you’re at.
What a Thoughtful and Collaborative View on Medication Feels Like
I know how big of a step medication can feel like for you if you’re just getting curious or aren’t sure what to expect, and that’s completely okay.
The way I like to view medication is that it’s a tool among many, not something that’s expected or a one-size-fits-all. If it’s something you’re open to exploring, we’ll talk through your options together, how you could feel, and any concerns you have along the way.
There is never pressure to take medication in order to feel relief. We’ll move at a pace that feels right for you if you want to explore, and an initial conversation doesn’t mean you have to move forward. Instead, I want you to feel encouraged to advocate for what you need.
If medication becomes part of your care, I take a careful, trauma-informed, and evidence-based approach, aiming for the lowest effective dose and checking in regularly to make sure it continues to support your overall well-being.
Care That Feels Connected
You don’t have to navigate this on your own.
If you’re already working with a therapist or other providers, I’m happy to help keep your care connected so it feels aligned and supportive, rather than separate or overwhelming.
With your consent, I can collaborate with your care team and integrate those perspectives into your treatment, so you feel supported from all angles.
The Heart Behind My Work
Authenticity, compassion, and curiosity guide the way I work. I was drawn to mental health care because I saw how deeply emotional well-being can affect every part of a person’s life, from relationships and work to physical health and self-worth.
Early in my nursing career, I felt this deep pull to anyone who felt unheard, overwhelmed, or misunderstood. That continues to shape how I show up in this work and for you.
My path into this field is also shaped by personal experiences. Losing my father to suicide gave me a new level of understanding about emotional pain and the importance of compassionate, supportive care that you can lean on in even the most challenging of moments. I hold that part of my story with care, and it continues to remind me how meaningful it is to feel understood and never alone.
I’m committed to helping anyone I meet feel my empathy, humility, and genuine respect.
A Bit More About Me
I hold a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in Psychiatric Mental Health from the University of Maine at Fort Kent. I am board-certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center and hold RN and APRN licensure in Oregon, Washington, and Maine.
My training has included a range of psychiatric settings and diverse populations, which allows me to provide comprehensive, evidence-based care across the lifespan. Outside of work, I’m just a person who finds the most meaning in simple, real moments like time with family, fresh air, laughter, and connection.
I value living a life that feels honest and grounded, and those parts of my life continue to shape the way I show up for others.
If You’re Considering Working Together
I believe the relationship you build with your provider can be one of the most meaningful parts of the healing process. I want you to feel safe bringing your full self without any pressure to be anything but who you are.
If something here resonates, I’d love to start a conversation.
You can schedule an intake by choosing a time that works for you below. If you have questions first, our team is always here to help, and you can call our office at (207) 316-2609 or reach out through our contact form anytime.
Accepted Forms of Payment
- Self-Pay
- Aetna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield (Anthem, Premera, Regence, etc.)
- Mainecare
- Optum/United Health
- While I accept the insurances indicated above, I may not accept your specific insurance plan. Clients are responsible for ensuring our organization is in-network with their specific insurance plan and ensuring services are covered by their plan.
- I do not accept Medicare
A quick scheduling note: The calendar below shows appointment times in Pacific Standard Time (PST). If you’re in Maine, your appointment will occur three hours later in Eastern Time.
Schedule Your Intake Assessment
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Practice
- I accept Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield (Anthem, Premera, Regence, etc.), Mainecare, and Optum/United Health. However, I may not accept your specific insurance plan. It is your responsibility to verify that our organization is in-network with your plan and that services are covered.
- If at any time we discover that we are not in-network with your insurance plan, you will be responsible for the full costs of all sessions (past and future).
- Please note, I do not accept Medicaid, Medicare, or work with EAPs.
- Services are available to self-pay clients and those with out-of-network benefits.
- Please call our office at (207) 316-2609 or complete our contact form if you have any questions.
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For individuals using insurance to cover appointments, the cost of appointments is determined by each insurance’s contracted rates with our organization. Thus, the cost of appointments may be notably different than the cost of appointments for individuals who are self-pay. Furthermore, the cost of appointments may vary from session to session depending on several factors to include the length of the appointment and the complexity of the appointment. If you plan to use insurance, our office can provide a better estimate of costs once you provide your insurance information. Please contact us at (207) 316-2609 if you require further assistance.
- For individuals who are self-pay:
- Rates vary depending on type of service (therapy vs. medication management) and length of session. Please contact our office for additional information.
Payments are completed through our patient portal. Payments can be made using major credit/debit cards (American Express, Visa, Mastercard, etc.) as well as FSAs and HSAs.
Our policy is to collect payments before rendering services. However, we cannot always predict the cost of sessions in advance because services and length of sessions may vary from appointment to appointment. For clients using insurance, you will likely be responsible for either a co-pay or for paying the full costs of sessions until your deductible is met. Please ensure you fully understand your insurance benefits to prevent future billing concerns.
Regardless of your insurance status and payment method, we will always be as up-front with you as possible about the cost of treatment.
- The online scheduler above shows my availability over the next 30 days. If no appointments are available, please check back in a few days.
- For appointments beyond this 30-day window, you can return closer to your preferred appointment date. Alternatively, you can view availability for our other psychiatric prescribers here.
Clients must cancel or reschedule appointments at least 48 hours before their appointment. If appointments are not canceled or rescheduled with at least 48 hours’ notice, or if clients do not show to their appointment, they will be charged a late cancellation fee of $150. To ensure we treat all clients consistently and ethically and to be respectful of our providers’ time, we must enforce our late cancellation and no-show policy. Fees incurred for late cancellations and no shows are out-of-pockets expenses. They cannot be billed to insurance.