Kerry Phifer, PMHNP-BC

I have been practicing as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner since graduating from OHSU in 2006. In addition to my nursing background, I also have a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology. I appreciate taking a more holistic approach to patient care, using my education and experience to explore how environmental factors, lifestyle choices, relationships, and coping skills may be impacting one's mental health. While I value a medication approach and have seen medications change people's lives, I feel strongly that for the best outcomes, patients need to be active participants in their care by addressing and modifying factors that are working contrary to their mental health and wellness goals. I strive to take a collaborative approach with patients that involves educating, weighing pros/cons, listening to feedback, honoring patients' preferences, and ultimately providing sound and safe guidance about how best to move forward. My specific treatment population is adults ages 18-64, struggling with depression, anxiety, phobias, bipolar, PTSD, and ADHD. As a leukemia survivor, I also have a special interest in working with people dealing with cancer diagnoses. In my spare time I volunteer in a peer support role with patients preparing for and going through stem cell transplants in hopes of curing their blood cancers. I acknowledge that medications are not the solution in every situation, and I welcome patients who might feel ambivalent about that issue. Some of the most rewarding conversations I have had with patients are simply exploring options and weighing pros and cons of different treatment approaches.