Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Bennett.
Nicole, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey to becoming a business owner and a leader really happened by chance.
About 15 years ago, I was working in medical research with three kids at home, and I began exploring what I wanted to do next. My employer offered to sponsor my enrollment in a pilot program to train registered nurses. Around that time I discovered the option of becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner (Psych NP). I’d always wanted to work with kids so this combination of becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) and a Psych NP felt like a beautiful fit, allowing me to treat young patients holistically. Ultimately, I graduated with my master’s degree in 2009.
What I’d soon discover is that most psychiatric nurse practitioners (Psych NPs) had two work environments available to them. If you work for an employer, the norm is a “maximum case load,” regardless of the impact on the clinician or how well it serves the patient: short visits, a big focus on diagnosis, treating symptoms with medication. It struck me right away how this model encouraged treating symptoms instead of treating patients as whole people.
Alternatively, Psych NPs can go into private practice, but for many, that leads to a real sense of isolation. We might share a common workspace, but clinicians are often working on their own directly with patients. That can really limit opportunities to connect and create community with one another.
Despite both having their value, I found these models were really missing something important. I launched Willamette Health & Wellness with a fellow NP, really in response to that. We wanted the freedom to define our own patient experience—one that better served patients, providers, and the practice as a whole—and created a sense of real community and mutual support among our fellow clinicians.
The funny part is that at the time I didn’t see myself as a “business owner” or a “leader.” That would come later.
As the practice grew, I saw an opportunity to create something I wished had existed when I started: a place where clinicians could feel supported, connected, and able to grow throughout their careers while providing exceptional care to patients, and in a manner aligned to their values.
Today, we’ve grown to a team of 24 clinicians and staff. And I’m proud to say that every decision we make as a team (and for me as a business owner) aims to contribute to the health of the patient, the provider, and the practice—collectively. All three need to be nurtured or none of them can thrive.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not. One of the biggest surprises for me was realizing that building a successful clinical practice and becoming a strong leader are two very different skill sets.
Early on, I thought leadership meant having all the answers and solving every problem myself. I thought that’s what people expected of a “leader.” But that’s exhausting—and, ultimately, not very effective. Over time, I’ve learned that leadership is less about being the person with the solution and more about creating an environment where people feel safe sharing ideas, raising concerns, and solving problems together.
The other thing that surprised me is that some of the most challenging moments in our growth have actually been the most valuable lessons. They’ve helped me uncover blind spots, challenge assumptions, and become a better listener.
Today, when something isn’t working, I try to approach it with curiosity instead of frustration. Those moments are often opportunities to learn, improve, and build something stronger together.
That shift—from feeling responsible for every answer to trusting the collective wisdom of our team—has probably been the most important lesson of my career.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Willamette Health & Wellness?
We believe exceptional mental health care begins with trust. Our care model prioritizes thoughtful provider matching and support tailored to each person’s unique experiences, needs, and goals. Through individual and group therapy, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and specialized programs, we help youth, adults, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity, resilience, and connection.
Unfortunately, there’s a shortage of mental health care in our community. That can mean long wait periods and a really frustrating set of circumstances for patients who need care now. Telling a patient “no, we can’t serve you at this time” is tough; it goes against our wiring and our training as healthcare professionals.
But we also know that our patients benefit the most when care is rooted in a foundation of trust. That’s why we start with provider fit. “Do we have a provider best suited to help you, for the moment you’re in, and with the available capacity to provide the support you need?” If the answer is no, we owe it to the patient, and to our clinicians, to say no. To refer them to one of our many trusted partners.
Patients are also asking, “Am I safe here? Will this person understand what I’m going through? Will my identity be honored here?” We have a responsibility to create a care environment where we can confidently answer “yes” to those questions. That’s a constant work in progress for us. And it spans everything—from the diversity of identities, specialties, and experience our clinicians bring to our team, to examining every aspect of our care experience from this very lens.
And finally, we really are committed to supporting patients at each step of their care experience; from finding the right provider to navigating insurance and billing, and everything in between so they can focus on their wellbeing.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We want readers to know that we take our commitment to delivering “care built on trust” seriously, across every aspect of our business, our patient experience, and how we treat one another—patients, employees, vendors, insurance partners, and the broader community. We act in integrity with our values every single day, even when it’s tough.
At the end of the day, we want people to know there’s a place where they can show up exactly as they are and receive thoughtful, compassionate support.
People can learn more about our mental health services, classes, groups, and other programs by visiting our website at www.willamettehealthandwellness.com.
Contact info for business:
Willamette Health & Wellness
700 NE Multnomah St.
Suite 275
Portland, OR 97232
Phone: 503-729-1380
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.willamettehealthandwellness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whwpdx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willamettehealthandwellness/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/willamette-health-wellness/
