Perinatal Mental Health Medication Management in Wasilla, AK
Motherhood is a lot. The kind of “a lot” that looks like love and laughter in the pictures — and survival mode in the in-between. You love your baby. And you’re also overwhelmed. Anxious. Foggy. Not quite like yourself. Both can be true. That doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you. It means you’re in the thick of it.
At Mat-Su Mental Health, we understand that sometimes therapy alone isn’t enough — especially when your nervous system is stretched to its limit. Medication can be a powerful support. Not a fix, not a substitute for all the ways you’re already showing up — but something that helps soften the edges enough so you can breathe again. Sleep again. Feel like yourself enough to actually use the tools you’ve been working so hard to build.
Our psychiatric providers specialize in maternal mental health and take a collaborative, compassionate approach. We won’t rush you. We won’t minimize what you’re carrying. And we won’t offer one-size-fits-all answers. We’ll listen closely, walk through options together, and help you make choices that actually make sense for you — your body, your values, your season of life.
Sometimes that means a low-dose med to help regulate sleep or baseline anxiety. Sometimes it means ruling things out. Always, it means care that sees the full picture and treats you like a whole person — not just a list of symptoms.
You don’t have to white-knuckle your way through this. And you don’t have to wait until it gets worse. You deserve support that meets you where you are.
We’d be honored to walk alongside you.
Meet Our In-House Psychiatric Medication Provider
Leslie Leguenesse - PMHNP
Leslie has been working in mental healthcare for over 10 years and is passionate about helping people feel more grounded, focused, and supported in their daily lives. She works closely with clients and therapists to support mental health care during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Medication decisions are never rushed and are always made with care, clear communication, and shared decision-making.
Medication Support During Pregnancy and Postpartum
Pregnancy and the months after birth can stir up mental health challenges in ways that feel surprising and unsettling. For some, long-standing anxiety or depression intensifies. For others, intrusive thoughts, panic, irritability, or emotional overwhelm show up for the first time. It can be hard to feel present or supported when your mind feels loud or constantly on edge.
Medication support during pregnancy or postpartum may be helpful if you are:
Living with persistent anxiety, panic, or excessive worry
Feeling low, disconnected, or emotionally overwhelmed
Experiencing intrusive or distressing thoughts that feel out of character
Noticing symptoms worsening during pregnancy or after birth
Managing a mental health condition that needs continued support
Medication appointments are centered on understanding your experience, not just checking symptoms off a list. During your first visit, your provider will take time to learn about what you’re going through, your mental health history, current stressors, and any concerns you have about medication.
If medication is recommended, options are discussed clearly and collaboratively, including potential benefits, side effects, and what to expect over time. Follow up appointments allow space to check in, notice changes, and make adjustments gradually as your needs shift.
Throughout the process, we prioritize open communication, careful decision making, and respect for your values. You remain an active partner in every step of care.
What to Expect From Medication Appointments
Medication appointments are not quick check ins or refill visits. They are conversations.
During your first appointment, your provider will take time to understand what you are experiencing, what you have already tried, how therapy is going, and what feels hardest right now. If medication is discussed, we talk openly about options, benefits, and possible side effects in clear, plain language.
Follow up appointments allow space to check in, notice changes, and adjust gently as your needs evolve. Nothing is rushed. Nothing is forced.
Get Started With Perinatal Medication Management
If you are struggling during pregnancy or postpartum and wondering whether medication support might help, you do not have to navigate that decision alone. We are here to explore options with care, respect, and collaboration.
Once you reach out, our on-boarding admin will contact you to gather information regarding your specific situation. They will explore with you what provider will likely best meet your needs, and support you in getting set up in our electronic health record.
Mat-Su Mental Health uses Simple Practice, a medical record and portal system that will allow for confidential and HIPAA compliant messaging that ensures your privacy. You will be sent a portal link that directs you to online documentation to be completed prior to your initial session.
This is a great time to ask any questions you might have. After all, where you go for support is your choice, and we want you to feel empowered to assess whether or not we are the right fit for you! Here at Mat-Su Mental Health, our providers believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is essential in the process of creating change. These initial conversations are important in assessing fit, as therapy is not “one size fits all.”
MSMH’s office is conveniently located in Wasilla. Feel free to arrive a few minutes prior to your scheduled session to grab a cup of tea and relax before meeting with your provider. We look forward to meeting you, and are honored you have chosen us to do this work alongside you.