Support for Medication Decisions During Pregnancy/Postpartum

Thoughtful Guidance for Expecting Parents

Medication decisions during pregnancy and breastfeeding are deeply personal. We’ll help you understand the evidence, weigh the options together, and make a decision that reflects your values, your goals, and your mental health.

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How We Treat It

Specialty Care Step by Step

Personalized consultation centered on your symptoms, history, goals, and values.

Together, we review the latest research, discuss risks and benefits, and review all the options; so you can make decisions with confidence and clarity.

With permission, we collaborate with your outside providers so your care feels connected, not fragmented.

Recognizing the Signs

Knowing When Medication Questions May Need Extra Support

Choosing whether to use medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding is a deeply personal decision. By identifying your specific questions and concerns, we can work together to build a plan that helps you feel confident and supported.

Signs It May Be Time for a Medication Consultation

  • You're planning a pregnancy and want to review your current medication before conceiving.
  • You've recently learned you're pregnant and aren't sure whether to continue, adjust, or stop your medication.
  • You're getting conflicting guidance from different providers, family members, or online sources.
  • You're weighing breastfeeding decisions and want to understand how your medication factors in.

Signs Your Mental Health Needs Closer Attention

  • Symptoms returning or worsening after a medication change made during pregnancy.
  • Anxiety about medication decisions that's interfering with sleep, focus, or daily life.
  • A history of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or OCD that destabilized in a past pregnancy or postpartum period.
  • Feeling pressured into a decision before you've had a chance to understand your options.

Reach Out Right Away If You Notice

  • Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, or feeling like you don't want to be here.
  • A return of severe depression, mania, panic, or intrusive thoughts after stopping medication.
  • Inability to care for yourself or your baby because of mood, anxiety, or exhaustion.
  • A sense that something is very wrong, yours or noticed by someone close to you.

If you or someone you love is in crisis, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or go to your nearest emergency room.

Why Choose UpWell?

Expertise for Life's Transitions

Advanced training. Thoughtful care. Support tailored to your unique experience.

  • Largest Reproductive Psych Team: Oregon's largest dedicated psychiatric team, meaning collective expertise and collaborative problem-solving.
  • Specialized Training: Advanced training. Thoughtful care. Support tailored to your unique experience.
  • Extensive Clinical Backgrounds: All of our providers come with at minimum a decade of experience working in the perinatal field, as Labor and Delivery Nurses and/or Certified Nurse Midwives.
  • Virtual Care: Available across Oregon & Washington.
  • Connection Rooted: A practice rooted in connection, research-guided care, and whole-person wellness.
FAQs

Good Questions, Honest Answers

The things people ask us most when they first reach out.

Yes. Many patients come in for a focused medication consultation, get clear on their options, and take that plan back to their existing care team.
Not necessarily. It’s all about balance; untreated symptoms have their own risks, too. We’ll look at both sides of the coin with you using the latest research, rather than just giving a ‘no’ out of fear.
We’d love to hear their thoughts. We’ll coordinate directly with your OB or primary care doctor so you have one cohesive plan and aren’t caught in the middle.
Yes. We help you think through medication during lactation with the same evidence-based approach.
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Thoughtful Guidance for Expecting Parents

Ready to Talk To A Specialist?

Available across Oregon & Washington. Most private insurance accepted.
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Dr. Cory Zeller, DNP, PMHNP-BC

Dr. Cory Zeller, DNP, PMHNP-BC

As a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and board certified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, my goal is to provide safe, effective, and inclusive care to individuals throughout the Pacific Northwest.

With a decade of nursing experience in emergency medicine and psychiatry, my treatment approach prioritizes therapeutic listening and individualized medication management that considers the ‘whole picture.’ I believe that mental health care is most effective when it honors the whole person, fostering not only symptom relief but also a deeper connection to the relationships, activities, and passions that bring us joy.

Prior to joining the team at UpWell Psychiatry, I was the lead practitioner of an esketamine (Spravato) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) clinic treating individuals with severe, treatment-resistant mental health conditions.

I believe strongly in the power of community in supporting mental wellness, and enjoy working with neurodiverse and LGBTQIA+ identifying individuals. Whether you are seeking support for a specific challenge or simply looking to cultivate greater balance and well-being in your life, I’d be glad to partner with you on your mental health journey!

Specialties: Anxiety Disorders, Mood Disorders, ADHD, Integrative Psychiatry, LGBTQIA+ Mental Health, Mental Health Practitioners and Medical Providers.

Serves: Oregon & Washington

Dr. Lenore Baker, PMHNP

Dr. Lenore Baker, PMHNP

I’m a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and Doctor of Nursing Practice with over 18 years of experience in healthcare. I provide thoughtful, personalized psychiatric care for people 18 and over.

My clinical background includes working in a high-risk psychiatric program, where I supported individuals with complex mental health needs through intensive, coordinated care. I have experience in perinatal care, helping patients through pregnancy, loss, and growing into new parents during parenthood and the postpartum time.

In addition to my clinical work, I’m involved in mental health research and innovation through the University of Oregon.

My approach is collaborative, practical, and whole-person focused. With training in integrative care, I incorporate evidence-based medication management alongside attention to sleep, nutrition, and lifestyle factors. Together, we’ll create a plan that aligns with your goals. I strive to create a space where you feel heard, supported, and empowered in your mental health journey.

Specialties: ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Perceptual Disturbances/Extraordinary experiences, PTSD, Bipolar Disorder.

Serves: Oregon & Washington

Olubukayo Akinyemi, PMHNP

Olubukayo Akinyemi, PMHNP

Hello! My name is Bukayo and I am a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who believes mental health care should feel collaborative, practical, and tailored to you — not one-size-fits-all.

I’ve been partnering with clients in mental health for almost a decade mostly working in community mental health settings including street medicine, crisis and urgent care settings. I have experience and enjoy working with both young people and adults, especially during times that feel overwhelming or uncertain.

My approach is straightforward and supportive: I take time to really understand what’s going on, explain options clearly, and work with you to find what actually helps. My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable, heard, and empowered to make meaningful progress. Looking forward to partnering with you!

Specialties: ADHD, PTSD and Complex Trauma, Severe anxiety & agoraphobia, Mood disorders.

Serves: Oregon & Washington

Dr. Katharine Frissora, PMHNP

Dr. Katharine Frissora, PMHNP

I am a doctorally prepared Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with 15 years of healthcare experience. I aim to promote holistic mental health by partnering with you to create healing and wellness.

I have enjoyed practicing in a variety of settings across several states. My past experience includes assessment and treatment of patients in inpatient and emergency settings, caring for patients with severe mental illness in community health, directing and developing post-graduate training programs for nurse practitioners, and serving as faculty for a school of medicine.

I use an integrative psychiatry approach to better understand the underlying cause of symptoms and support you in your mental health. Integrative psychiatry is an individualized approach that combines both functional medicine and traditional psychiatry to determine and treat the source of imbalances that are impacting your health.

I recognize the inherent relationship between the mind and body and may recommend supplements, lifestyle changes, therapies, and/or prescribe medication. Using empathy, education, humor, and sincerity I work with you to develop a treatment plan to help you reach your goals and meet your specific needs.

Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Sleep, PTSD, Integrative Psychiatry.

Serves: Oregon & Washington

Heidi Pollard-Hermann, PMHNP, PMH-C

Heidi Pollard-Hermann, PMHNP, PMH-C

I’m a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) who supports individuals through life’s most transformative — and often tender — seasons. My clinical work is shaped by over 15 years in maternal-child health nursing and a foundation in anti-trafficking advocacy. These experiences offer me an inclusive, trauma-responsive lens and a deep commitment to caring for the whole person.

My approach is collaborative, warm, and rooted in social justice. I strive to create a therapeutic space that is relational and attuned to the intersections of identity, community, and ecological belonging.

I believe healing often happens through a constellation of care — multiple touchpoints that come together to support wellbeing. Medication can be one of those touchpoints, easing symptoms and supporting greater functioning. I offer evidence-based options for both prescribing and deprescribing psychotropic medications, always aligning with your values and goals.

My practice is guided by deep listening, curiosity, and respect for each person’s lived experience. I take a strengths-based, culturally humble approach and hold strong trust in each person’s capacity for resilience and transformation.

Specialties: Birth trauma & loss, Climate-related distress and ecological grief, Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, Psychedelic integration, Spiritual transitions, Substance use and recovery.

Serves: Oregon & Washington

Megan Sapp, PMHNP, CNM, FNP

Megan Sapp, PMHNP, CNM, FNP

Megan brings nearly 20 years of experience caring for women and families as a Certified Nurse Midwife. She is also a Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, giving her a uniquely integrated understanding of the biological, hormonal, and emotional factors that influence mental health across the reproductive lifespan.

She is a gifted educator who has a knack for translating research into clinical practice and has conducted trainings for organizations big and small around perinatal psychiatry.

Specialties: Reproductive & Perinatal Psychiatry

Serves: Oregon & Washington

Melinda Anello, PMHNP

Melinda Anello, PMHNP

As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), I am passionate about caring for people. With over 17 years of experience in nursing, I have sat with people through all stages of life, and currently work with both teens and adults to help them find their best path forward.

I am dedicated to providing a safe environment infused with kindness, empathy, and humor. I currently work with those struggling with depression/mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, ADHD and OCD. I have an additional certification as a Perinatal Mental Health specialist, and unique experience to support those dealing with premenstrual or menopausal distress, those planning for pregnancy or post-partum, as well as those struggling with pregnancy loss, abortion or birth trauma — whether first hand, or vicariously in your supportive work.

By working collaboratively and utilizing evidence-based practices as our guide, we can explore your unique experience of the world and carve out a path to healing and wellness. I believe that we all have the innate ability to heal, and there are many paths to mental wellness. We can create a treatment plan that incorporates not only medication but also meaningful elements such as movement, nutrition, supportive therapy, and complementary and alternative medicines.

Specialties: Most mental health concerns, with a special interest in depression and anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum.

Serves: Oregon & Washington

Dr. Carrie Anderson, PMHNP

Dr. Carrie Anderson, PMHNP

As a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I am dedicated to providing contextualized whole-person mental health care that considers the many factors — genetic, social, environmental, and cultural — that contribute to someone’s overall health picture.

My approach is collaborative, evidence-informed, and patient-centered. I partner with my clients in shared decision-making and deeply value the foundational importance of trust, safety, and human connection in a therapeutic relationship.

I come from a background of acute care hospital nursing, where I worked as a nurse on many types of units, from rural critical access emergency rooms in Oregon to large urban hospital in-patient units in Louisiana. I have clinical experience in outpatient mental health care at a rural community health center, a ketamine-assisted psychotherapy clinic, and at a university campus counseling and psychiatry center.

Specialties: Mood/Anxiety Disorders, PTSD, Teens & Young Adults, LGBTQIA+, Integrative Psychiatry.

Serves: Oregon & Washington

Logan Prior, PMHNP

Logan Prior, PMHNP

Hi, I’m Logan, a dedicated Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with nearly a decade of experience in healthcare, and the last two years specializing in psychiatric care. At UpWell, I’m committed to providing high-quality psychiatric care, medication management, and therapeutic services with a compassionate touch.

My journey in mental health care is deeply personal. Having faced my own mental health challenges and supported loved ones through theirs, I understand firsthand the importance of empathy and understanding in treatment. This personal insight fuels my approach to care, especially for clients in the neuro-diverse community.

I believe in creating a safe, supportive environment for those who may have had negative experiences with healthcare in the past. My goal is to offer a unique, compassionate approach to mental health care that encourages and supports every individual on their path to wellness.

With a deep personal connection to the challenges of ADHD, depression, and PTSD, I aim to empower you with the knowledge, tools, and support needed to overcome obstacles and build the brighter future that you deserve.

Specialties: ADHD, ASD, Veterans and First Responders, PTSD, Depression.

Serves: Oregon & Washington

Shannon La Douce, PMHNP

Shannon La Douce, PMHNP

As a mom and Army Veteran, I am passionate about supporting those who have dedicated their lives to service (of all types!). I am adept at working with the ‘givers’ — the folks who are often over-extending to those around them.

I am committed to creating a safe and judgment-free space for you to finally be the one that receives support. Whether you’re a veteran navigating the challenges of post-service life, a healthcare provider managing the pressures of the field, a mom juggling the demands of parenthood, or the friend who everyone turns to, I am here to partner with you to give YOU the support you deserve.

My decade of nursing experience spans across every chapter of life, from labor and delivery to end of life and cancer care. I value working as a client-provider team to develop treatment plans that incorporate motivational interviewing, psychoeducation, medication management, therapy, movement, nutrition, and building self-esteem and self-confidence.

I believe my clients know themselves and their needs best, and I enjoy guiding others towards identifying their own power and strengths and helping them access it.

Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, First-Responder/Military Veterans/Healthcare Workers, Teens & Young Adults.

Serves: Oregon & Washington

Dr. Kelly Aldinger, PMHNP, MSW

Dr. Kelly Aldinger, PMHNP, MSW

Founder · Psychiatric NP