Shavanya Sidney, BCPA: A Veteran Who Helps Clients Navigate Medical and Mental Health Care

Getting the right care can feel like a maze. It gets even harder when you are facing a mental health crisis, a chronic illness, or a system that does not seem to hear you. Shavanya Sidney knows that maze well. She spent 20 years in the United States Air Force and nearly a decade in behavioral health. Today, she is a Board Certified Patient Advocate with Umbra Health Advocacy.

Meet Shavanya Sidney, BCPA

Shavanya Sidney is a Board Certified Patient Advocate based in the Phoenix area of Arizona. She brings a rare mix of skills to her work: the sharp eye of a military intelligence analyst and the heart of a behavioral health professional.

Shavanya served more than 20 years on active duty in the Air Force. As an intelligence analyst and senior leader, she learned to size up complex situations quickly, spot the details others miss, and plan ahead for what people would need. She also led teams and looked after the health, safety, and well being of the people who served under her. Her service earned her many honors, including two Meritorious Service Medals and a Combat Action Badge from her time in Afghanistan.

Shavanya holds a Master of Science in Forensic Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Management, both from Grand Canyon University. She is certified by the Patient Advocate Certification Board.

Why Shavanya Sidney Became a Patient Advocate

After the Air Force, Shavanya moved into behavioral health. She worked as a case manager, peer support specialist, and resource provider for service members, veterans, and their families. She helped people through some of the hardest moments of their lives, including mental health crises, chronic illness, and barriers that kept them from getting care.

Most recently, she supervised a team of care navigators who supported veterans in crisis. She handled a large caseload and took on the most complex cases, including veterans who were unhoused or living with serious medical and mental health needs. Along the way, she became known for hearing what is not always said and for connecting people to the right help.

Her master’s degree deepened her understanding of trauma, human behavior, and the emotional side of care. It also gave her a strong ethical foundation for working with people when they are most vulnerable.

Shavanya became a Board Certified Patient Advocate so that more people would not have to face the healthcare system alone. She has a special focus on veterans, women, older adults, and under served communities. In her words, she is committed to helping clients “feel seen, heard, and supported.”

Work With Shavanya Sidney

Shavanya is based in Peoria, Arizona, near Phoenix, and works with clients in Arizona and virtually across the country. Umbra Health Advocacy pairs clients with credentialed advocates like Shavanya who guide them through complex medical and mental health systems.

Shavanya may be a good fit if you need help with:

• Finding mental health or behavioral health care for yourself or a loved one
• Understanding a diagnosis, treatment plan, or medical terms
• Coordinating care when many doctors or services are involved
• Preparing for appointments so your questions get answered
• Getting through a health crisis or a move from hospital to home
• Understanding the VA health care and benefits a veteran or family member is entitled to
• Navigating VA care, VA community care, and TRICARE
• Getting mental health support for a veteran or service member, including during a crisis
• Connecting veterans with complex needs, such as housing instability, to the right services
• Supporting spouses, children, and caregivers of veterans
• Caring for an aging parent or older adult
• Feeling unheard or stuck in the healthcare system

Shavanya uses a trauma-informed approach. That means she meets clients where they are, moves at their pace, and treats every person with respect and care.

Shavanya accepts Medicare or private pay.

Get started at umbrahealthadvocacy.com/get-started or call 332-699-6778