Mechele Combes
I believe the most important part of mental health care is the relationship between you and your provider. You deserve to be heard, respected, and actively involved in decisions about your treatment. As a dual board-certified Family and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I bring a whole-person perspective to mental health care. I don't believe in treating diagnoses; I believe in treating people. Your experiences, challenges, values, and goals are uniquely yours, and your treatment should reflect that.
**I Don't Treat Diagnoses. I Treat People. Your Mind, Your Health, Your Voice.**
My approach is honest, direct, collaborative, and free of judgment. I believe medication can be a valuable tool, but it is not the entire solution. My goal is to help you achieve a manageable level of symptoms so you can function better, engage meaningfully in therapy, and build the skills necessary for lasting change. I won't promise perfection or a cure, but I will promise to listen, be transparent, and work alongside you to find an approach that makes sense for your life. **You know yourself. I know medicine. Together, we make the decisions.**
First session
Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another, discuss what brought you to treatment, and begin building a relationship based on trust, honesty, and mutual respect. I'll take the time to understand your concerns, symptoms, medical and mental health history, previous treatment experiences, and what you hope to accomplish. Just as importantly, I want to understand you as a person, not simply a collection of symptoms or a diagnosis. You can expect an open, honest, and judgment-free conversation. I encourage questions and welcome your input. We'll discuss potential treatment options, including medication when appropriate, along with the benefits, risks, and realistic expectations of each approach. You won't leave with promises of a quick fix or a one-size-fits-all treatment plan. My goal is for you to leave feeling heard, informed, and confident that you have a voice in your care, with a clearer understanding of our next steps. **You know yourself. I know medicine. Together, we make the decisions.**
Strengths
I bring a combination of clinical expertise, genuine curiosity, honesty, and a straightforward, nonjudgmental approach to every session. My background in both family medicine and psychiatry allows me to look beyond symptoms and consider the connection between physical health, mental health, lifestyle, and individual circumstances. I'm a good listener, but I'm also direct. I believe patients deserve honest conversations, realistic expectations, and clear explanations about their treatment options. I won't simply tell you what I think you want to hear, and I won't make decisions for you. I'll provide the clinical knowledge and guidance you need to make informed choices about your care. I also bring perspective, empathy, and an understanding that meaningful change isn't always easy or comfortable. I encourage self-awareness, personal accountability, and active participation without judgment or unrealistic expectations. Above all, I bring authenticity. You can expect me to be approachable, transparent, consistent, and genuinely invested in helping you achieve a level of well-being that is meaningful and sustainable for you.
Ideal clients
My ideal patient is someone who wants to be an active participant in their mental health care. You don't need to have everything figured out, know exactly what's wrong, or even be sure where to begin. You simply need to be willing to have honest conversations, explore your experiences, and consider the possibility of change. I work best with individuals who value open communication, appreciate a direct but compassionate approach, and want to understand the reasoning behind their treatment. I welcome questions, differing perspectives, and healthy skepticism. I don't expect you to agree with everything I say, and I don't believe there is a one-size-fits-all approach to mental health. You may be struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, mood changes, or simply feeling overwhelmed by life. Whatever brings you here, my goal is to help you better understand your symptoms, explore your options, and find a treatment approach that works for you. I don't expect perfection, and I recognize that change can be difficult. Ambivalence, setbacks, and uncertainty are all part of the process. What matters to me is building a relationship grounded in mutual respect, honesty, and a shared commitment to improving your quality of life. **You don't have to know how to get where you want to be. We can figure that out together.**
Treatment methods
Motivational Interviewing
I believe meaningful change begins with understanding yourself, your motivations, and what you want your life to look like. I use motivational interviewing to help you explore your thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and personal goals without judgment or pressure. Rather than telling you what you should do, I help you identify what matters to you, recognize patterns that may be holding you back, and work through the uncertainty that often accompanies change. My approach is direct, supportive, and collaborative. I believe you are the expert on your own experiences, and my role is to provide clinical insight, guidance, and tools that empower you to make informed decisions. Change is not always easy or comfortable, and it requires active participation. My goal is to help you build the confidence, motivation, and personal accountability necessary to create meaningful, sustainable improvements in your life.
Location
Virtual sessions