Monica Wahls, NP, is a member of Summit Health’s Behavioral Health team at the Old Mill clinic. Monica completed her bachelors degree in nursing at the University of Illinois, Chicago. She later earned a masters in nursing at Rush University in Chicago, and a post-masters psychiatric nurse practitioner certification at OHSU in Portland.
Monica credits her choice to pursue a medical career to her passion for interacting with people, and listening to individual life stories. She describes her area of expertise as one focused on any mental health disorder. “My areas of interest are the relationship between trauma and substance use and/or addictive behaviors, ADHD, nutrient deficiencies contributing to poor Mental Health, Bipolar and other mood disorders,” Monica says.
Monica wants to be seen as a partner by her patients during their treatment and care. “Patients are the directors of their life including health care. I partner with them to plan how their needs are best met,” she says. Developing safety and trust through unconditional acceptance is what she hopes to have her patients experience while receiving care.
In her spare time, Monica enjoys lap swimming at home and traveling. She spends most of her free time with her husband, 3 daughters, sons-in-law and her 6 grandchildren.