Lea Croft, PMHNP-BC

I was born and raised in Oregon and have lived in Bend since 2014. I spend my time hiking, running, camping, and fly fishing with my partner, Kris, and my dog, George. My own wellness journey has exposed me to a few different Buddhist meditation practices, breath work, energy work, and somatic approaches. I have had exposure to and mentorship from a variety of Western Medicine/Psychiatric and psychologic approaches as well as alternative healers. My approach is a combination of these teachings, including a strong foundation and passion for evidence based practice. I start from a place of curiosity and acceptance, and incorporate some basic CBT (cognitive behavior therapy), MI (motivational interviewing), and other modalities, depending on the person. I focus on foundational supports, including nutritional therapies, body movement, and behavioral tools to improve one’s mental health. I then layer in nutritional testing and supplementation as well as medications to improve wellness and function. I believe medicines (in all forms) work best in conjunction with lifestyle changes. They are an aid to assist in healing. I strive to support my patients to live a fully actualized life and believe this can happen best through lifestyle change alongside careful and thoughtful use of medicine when appropriate. As a Certified Functional Medicine Informed Professional, I weave in a variety of different tools to optimize function and wellbeing. Getting the life and health one wants can be a journey and a series of trial and error. Traditional routes are not right for everyone, and I believe having someone willing to walk that journey with you and tailor a plan unique to your goals, needs, and values will greatly improve this experience.

My experience: I have over 15 years working in healthcare. I received my MSN from Gonzaga University in 2022. Prior to this, I worked in critical care, which built a strong foundation in disease processes and assessment and monitoring for these conditions. I also have multiple years working in mental health, both in a hospital setting and in community settings. I worked at St Charles for 7 years, and am familiar and have worked with many of the specialists and various healthcare systems in our local community. My RN experience is relevant every day as a PMHNP. I am currently in a Psychiatry-specific Functional Medicine program, which allows me to more thoroughly assess individuals and identify root causes to address to support one’s physiology as well as ones’s mental health.