Meet Wendy Sergeant, Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Wendy Sergeant is seven months into her role as Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at United Counseling Service (UCS) and already a crucial member of the Psychiatric Medical Team. She serves clients across programs at UCS, including those enrolled in the new Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program that launched in April. “My days are filled from the time I get here to the time I leave,” says Wendy. “But I like the challenge.”

Wendy’s daily routine at UCS is a busy one with no shortage of problems to solve. She goes home after work and asks herself, “How can I do better? How can I figure this out?” With mental health issues on the rise in Bennington County, she knows there is no easy solution. The community UCS serves experiences troubling trends related to substance use and mental health challenges. “Here in Bennington, there are far more severe mental health issues than I’ve ever encountered. Here at UCS, we experience the hurricane of psychiatric mental health.”

The bright moments make the challenges worth it. One such moment started with a client enrolled in Medication Assisted Treatment who stopped engaging in services. “She dropped off the radar,” says Wendy. The MAT team was not sure she would be back, but she returned to treatment. “It was a good feeling, and it took a team to help her. That was a win for UCS.”

Wendy starts with centering herself to help others. She displays signs with positive reminders in her office to reflect on the important things throughout each day. One is a poster with a quote by Don Miguel listing The Four Agreements. These are: Be impeccable with your word. Don’t take anything personally. Don’t make assumptions. Always do your best. “If you do these things,” Wendy says, you can live an authentic and genuine life to the best of your ability.”

A lifelong learner, Wendy is a certified yoga teacher, licensed Ayurveda Health Counselor (AHC), and Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki practitioner. She has worked in cardiology, primary care, and critical care, including emergency inpatient settings, and founded an integrative holistic health practice called Mind and Soul. Serving others remains a constant in her career and personal life.

“I have to keep living the best I can, and giving people the best I am.”