Michelle Chmelecki

With a passion for helping young people reach their fullest potential, Michelle Chmelecki, PMHNP-BC, brings over three decades of diverse psychiatric experience to her practice. As a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner, she focuses on empowering adolescents, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and young adults to navigate their mental health journeys with confidence and support.

Michelle's approach to psychiatric care is rooted in the belief that all young people have potential, and her role is to help them unlock it. She views psychiatric medication as an effective treatment intervention, but not always a long-term necessity. Her goal is to improve patients' level of functioning, whether that means enhancing school performance, fostering happier social connections, or improving behavior at home.

Collaboration is at the heart of Michelle's practice. With a patient's consent, she strives to include families, school personnel, and other natural supports in the treatment planning process. She sees her role as that of a coach, offering clinical expertise, guidance, and support to help patients resume leading healthy lives and achieve their personal goals.

Michelle's extensive training and experience uniquely qualify her to address a wide range of mental health concerns. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in nursing from the University of Southern Maine. Her specialized training encompasses psychopharmacology, pathophysiology, assessment and diagnosis of major mental illnesses, clinical decision-making, differential diagnosis, case management, consultation, and patient/family psychoeducation. She is also well-versed in various counseling modalities, including psychodynamic, solution-focused, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and crisis intervention.

Throughout her career, Michelle has gained valuable experience in diverse settings, including Maine Medical Center's psychiatric emergency room, TOGUS veterans hospital, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, community mental health clinics, crisis stabilization units, and outreach programs for homeless adults and adolescents. This varied background has equipped her with the skills to treat a wide range of conditions, including ADHD, depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, PTSD, substance abuse disorders, and personality disorders.

At Touchstone Associates, Michelle continues her commitment to providing compassionate, expert care. Her approach combines evidence-based practices with a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by young people and the LGBTQ+ community. Whether through medication management, psychotherapy, or a combination of both, Michelle is dedicated to guiding her patients towards improved mental health and overall well-being.