Safe Harbor Wellness & Psychiatric Services

11/16/2025

The daily struggle!

11/10/2025

Thank you to the menopause experts that fought for this! Hormones are generally safe and effective in treating menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms, as well as preventing heart disease, bone loss and cognitive deficits as women progress into the post-menopausal phase of life.

Appointments for menopause treatment can be requested with Amy at https://www.safeharborwellness.org/womens-health-gyn

Hormone therapy drugs have carried box warning labels for years. The Food and Drug Administration is removing them, saying the risks were overstated.

11/09/2025

We know that we've been flooding your news feed with new faces, but we wanted to share one more, even though she's not really new...

This one is a bit different, because she's been with us for quite a while in a few different capacities. First as a PMHNP student, which evolved into a role as an RN within Safe Harbor, which then evolved into helping to manage and run our Spravato program, and now she will be fully evolving into her role as an outpatient provider with us. We are so incredibly grateful to continue to have Jamie as a part of our team! 💕

Jamie is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years of experience in the nursing field. Throughout her career, she has worked with individuals and families in a variety of settings, which has given her a deep appreciation for the uniqueness of each person’s journey. She believes that everyone deserves a safe and welcoming space where they can come as they are, feel understood, and receive care without judgment.

Her approach is collaborative, compassionate, and client-centered. She takes time to listen and understand each individual’s perspective, partnering with clients to create personalized treatment plans that are practical, achievable, and grounded in evidence-based care. She focuses not only on symptom management but also on helping clients build resilience, develop coping strategies, and foster personal growth, while allowing clients to feel truly seen, valued, and supported throughout their journey.

Appointments with Jamie can be requested at https://www.safeharborwellness.org/new-patients
*please be aware, she does not have available spots until the end of the year due to this transition, but appointments can be requested in advance if you wish!

11/09/2025

Please also welcome Shanice Lea, another therapist joining the Safe Harbor team in just a couple of weeks!

As a therapist, Shanice uses a person-centered, strengths-based approach. Her therapeutic interventions are unique to the client to align with their needs and support them in making meaningful changes throughout their journey. She believes in fostering a collaborative relationship to help clients process their emotions and develop effective coping strategies. She believes therapy is a journey you take with the client. Shanice uses a mix of evidence based practices such as Trauma Focused - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. She specializes in depression, anxiety, emotion and behavior management, parent support, grief, and trauma.

She has worked with a range of ages, however she really enjoys working with young children to early adulthood. In the last 10 years in the field she has worked in residential placements, day treatments, outpatients, and school settings.

Shanice still has openings on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am-1pm for young adults ages 18-23 (her after school spots for younger children in school during the day have already been filled). Appointments can be requested at https://www.safeharborwellness.org/new-patients-therapy

11/06/2025

Please welcome Chelsea Anderson, LICSW to the Safe Harbor Wellness team! 🎉

Chelsea received her Masters of Social Work from Boston University. As an adoptee, Chelsea collaborated with Dr. Hope Haslam Straughan and Jane Hoyt-Oliver in publishing an article, Parental Understanding of Cultural Difference: A Study of Transracially Adopting Couples. Chelsea has worked with youth, adolescents and families in public schools, residential programs, post adoption services, emergency shelters and outpatient clinics. With a Strengths Based lens, Chelsea utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and person-centered approaches to support clients in developing an understanding of themselves as they navigate the world. Her focus is building a collaborative relationship to foster growth and healing.

10/17/2025

Although Amy's panel for primary care is closed, please don't forget she is still accepting new patients for women's health/gyn. She is also menopause certified through The Menopause Society (previously called NAMS). This certification validates a professional's skills in managing perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause health issues.

Amy specializes in the following areas-

-PAPs
-management of gynecological issues including vaginitis, v***a conditions, pelvic pain, PCOS and painful s*x
-management of birth control options including IUD insertion, Nexplanon insertion, Depo-Provera, oral contraceptives, patches, vaginal ring
-STD testing and treatment
-gender affirming therapy
-perimenopause treatment including HRT (hormone replacement therapy)

Amy is in network with BCBS, Harvard Pilgrim, Health Plans Inc, Mass General Brigham, Cigna, Aetna, Unicare/Wellpoint and United Health Care. If you have an HMO/require a referral from your P*P, we got your back and will handle this for you!

Paying out of pocket is an alternative option if needed.

"I just want to say thank you to all of you who made this practice what it is. Never in my 48 years has my healthcare/primary care seemed so accessible. I did not expect being able to come in and sit on a sofa and have a discussion about my health while still fully clothed, and not feel rushed! Amy is easy to talk to and I finally feel heard. Nick and Adam are also amazing and have helped me so much in getting my health back on track. It’s just so easy and I wish healthcare was always this easy."

Appointments can be requested at https://www.safeharborwellness.org/womens-health-gyn

09/20/2025

We are thrilled to announce the two newest additions to our psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner team at Safe Harbor Wellness. 🎉🎈🎊

Nicholas Ferreira, ANP-BC, PMHNP-BC is not new to us, but he is now additionally board certified as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner! Nick also speaks Portuguese fluently.

Nick has over 10 years of experience helping people feel and live better. His background is unique in that he's certified in both adult health and psychiatric mental health, which allows him to care for the whole person — body and mind.

He works closely with adults 18 and older on a wide range of needs, including men’s health, metabolic health, and weight management. He has worked helping both men and women meet their health and weight loss goals for years as a weight management/metabolic health specialist. He also provides care and support for those navigating mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, and ADHD in his role as a PMHNP.

Nick's goal is simple: to create a safe, supportive space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered to take steps toward better health. He believes lasting wellness comes from treating both physical and emotional well-being together, and he's here to guide you every step of the way.

Jennifer Porter, MSN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC is a dual board-certified Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), with experience providing care as a nurse practitioner since 2020 and many years as a registered nurse. Her background includes both outpatient and inpatient work, including at McLean Hospital, where she provided pharmacology, psychopharmacology, and medical care. This diverse training allows her to approach treatment with a unique perspective, combining medical knowledge with a deep understanding of mental health.

She works with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, and other mood disorders. Her approach is collaborative and individualized - she takes the time to listen and provide a thoughtful blend of medication management, psychotherapy, and emotional support. Her goal is to help you find balance, healing, and relief. Real growth and healing take time-she is here to guide and support you with compassion and expertise.

Appointments can be requested at https://www.safeharborwellness.org/new-patients

09/12/2025

We are incredibly excited to announce the newest addition to our therapy team. Please welcome Julie Morgello.

Julie is a compassionate and dedicated therapist with a Master's degree in Psychology from William James College, specializing in Crisis Response and Behavioral Health. With a rich professional background that includes military service and experience as a crisis clinician within an urban police department, she brings a unique combination of clinical expertise, cultural competence, and real-world experience to her therapeutic work.

Her approach is deeply rooted in trauma-informed care, and she is especially skilled in supporting first responders and their families. Julie understands the complexities of high-stress roles and is adept at addressing both the operational and organizational stressors that often accompany them. She helps individuals and agencies navigate challenges such as the emotional toll of repeated trauma exposure and systemic issues like inadequate leadership or lack of institutional support, all with empathy and evidence-based strategies.

Julie is well-versed in a wide range of therapeutic techniques and de-escalation strategies, tailoring her methods to meet the specific needs of each client. While she has a particular passion for working with first responders, her expertise extends to individuals of all ages facing various challenges, including anxiety, depression, substance use, relationship concerns, and workplace stress.

At the heart of Julie's work is a strong commitment to public service and community mental health. She is passionate about helping people build resilience, find balance, and create meaningful, lasting change in their lives. Whether you are navigating a personal crisis or seeking ongoing support, Julie offers a safe, supportive, and collaborative space where healing and growth can occur.

Julie will be offering both in person and therapy sessions. If you're interested in seeing Julie, please contact us at info@safeharborwellness.org (there is no online booking calendar for our therapists, only the nurse practitioners).

09/06/2025

07/27/2025

Amy’s office has officially moved to our Fairhaven location (316 Huttleston Ave) which is fully handicap accessible and all on one level. Lots of hard work these past few days getting this ready for you all, we hope you feel as comfortable here as you did in Mattapoisett! 💙

We will be going through the schedule week by week and reaching out to reschedule visits at the correct location as well.

07/10/2025

Drumroll please for the newest addition to the Safe Harbor team for talk therapy... 🎉🥳🥁

Kerri Dowdall, LICSW

Kerri received her Masters of Social Work from Boston College and holds a Bachelors of Arts in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Stonehill College. She has more than 25 years of clinical experience working with all ages, with a specialty in children, adolescents and young adults. She has worked in various settings including outpatient clinics, schools and residential programs.

Kerri has worked with clients who come from diverse backgrounds, assisting people who are dealing with anxiety, depression, executive functioning issues, OCD, PTSD and more. Kerri utilizes Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Person-Centered approach as well as Dialectical Behavioral therapy in order to support clients in developing greater self-awareness, build stronger interpersonal relationships and develop healthy coping strategies. Kerri’s belief is in the importance of collaboration between the therapist and a client. She provides a safe, trusting and comfortable environment for individuals to identify their strengths, help them heal and find balance in their lives.

07/08/2025

Discover a cutting-edge treatment option for persistent depression at our Fairhaven, MA location. We offer an innovative approach that can be used alongside your current mental health care. Many individuals are experiencing significant positive outcomes. It works differently from traditional oral antidepressants.

"Spravato has been amazing. Each time is always different. It's hard to explain but I feel that the treatment is redirecting my brain somehow. It's clearing the way for me to think more clearly. Clarity helps me feel happy and more alive. It's definitely relaxing and I look forward to it every time. Your practice is warm and relaxing, very Feng Shui!! I feel like I'm getting a spa treatment. Pampered by Jamie and Hillary, while I recline in this amazing chair with the amazing blanket. I highly recommend listening to John's Hopkins Psychedelic playlist on Spotify and with a good eye mask. You will not want to fall asleep because you don't want to miss any of it for it is theatrical!! Yes, it is trippy. Which is ok, for some. After trying pills for 30 years this is amazing and I so hope anyone who could use help with depression tries it!! Thank you for making Spravato available and for creating a safe haven for experiencing it. Here's to feeling good every day!!!"

How it's Administered:

The treatment is administered under medical supervision in our comfortable office setting. Initially, it's typically received twice a week for four weeks, with less frequent sessions thereafter. We've designed our environment to promote a positive and calming experience.

Potential Benefits:

Rapid Relief: Experience a quicker reduction in depressive symptoms compared to traditional antidepressants.
Novel Approach: This treatment targets a different brain system than traditional antidepressants.
Many individuals report improvements in areas where other treatments may have fallen short, such as the return of interest and pleasure in daily life.
It is not typically associated with common side effects like s*xual dysfunction or weight gain seen with some oral antidepressants. Many also report experiencing less emotional flatness.
Offers an alternative to a daily pill.
Learn more and request a consultation at https://www.safeharborwellness.org/spravato

Providers can also refer patients by emailing us at info@safeharborwellness.org, faxing us at 866-708-7065, or through our website.

We are in network with most major private/commercial insurance plans in our region, including BCBS, Cigna, Health Plans Inc., Harvard Pilgrim, United Health Care, Aetna, and Unicare/Wellpoint.