Anxiety Treatment in Washington State

Psychiatric evaluation and medication management for anxiety and panic disorders — delivered statewide through secure telehealth.

Schedule Appointment

Anxiety is the most common category of psychiatric condition, and it responds well to treatment. At ATC Psychiatry, we provide thorough evaluation and individualized medication management for adults, teens, and college students across Washington State.

Anxiety becomes worth treating when it stops being proportionate — when worry runs continuously, when physical symptoms interfere with daily function, or when avoidance starts narrowing your life. A psychiatric evaluation can help clarify what's driving it and what's likely to help.

Forms of Anxiety We Treat

Anxiety presents differently depending on the underlying condition, and treatment follows from that. We evaluate and treat:

  • Generalized anxiety disorder — persistent, difficult-to-control worry across multiple areas

  • Panic disorder — recurrent panic attacks and the anticipatory fear that follows

  • Social anxiety disorder — fear of scrutiny or judgment in social and performance situations

  • Health anxiety — persistent worry about illness despite medical reassurance

  • Anxiety with depression — extremely common, and it affects which medications make sense

  • Anxiety alongside ADHD, where the two can amplify one another

  • Anxiety related to trauma, chronic illness, or major life transitions

Part of the initial evaluation is ruling out contributors that mimic or worsen anxiety — thyroid dysfunction, cardiac issues, sleep apnea, caffeine intake, alcohol use, and certain medications. Treating anxiety without checking those is often why previous attempts haven't worked.

Our Approach

Thorough evaluation first.

Your initial appointment is up to 90 minutes. We take a full history — symptom pattern, timeline, physical health, sleep, substance use, prior treatment — before recommending anything.

Conservative, evidence-based prescribing.

First-line medications for anxiety are typically SSRIs or SNRIs, which are effective and appropriate for long-term use. We prescribe benzodiazepines rarely and with clear limits — they work quickly but carry meaningful risks with sustained use, including tolerance, dependence, and cognitive effects. If you're currently taking one, we can discuss whether and how to change that.

Therapy matters here more than in most conditions

Cognitive behavioral therapy is genuinely first-line for anxiety and is as effective as medication for many people, with more durable results. We coordinate with your therapist if you have one, and help you find one if you don't.

Attention to the physical side

Sleep, caffeine, alcohol, and exercise all affect anxiety substantially. We address them directly rather than treating around them.

What Treatment Looks Like

Your first appointment is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. If medication is appropriate, we discuss options, expected timeline, and side effects before starting anything.

Anxiety medications often cause a temporary increase in symptoms during the first week or two before improvement begins. We start low, go slowly, and tell you what to expect so it isn't alarming. Most people notice meaningful change by four to six weeks.

Follow-up visits are typically every two to four weeks initially, spacing out as you stabilize.

Who We See

Adults, teens aged 15 and older, and college students throughout Washington. Many of our patients are managing anxiety alongside demanding work, caregiving, academic pressure, health concerns, or major transitions.

For people with social anxiety or panic symptoms in particular, telehealth removes a real barrier — the appointment itself doesn't require leaving home, driving, parking, or sitting in a waiting room.

Anxiety Treatment Across Washington

We provide telehealth psychiatric care statewide, including Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Bellingham, Olympia, Spokane, Vancouver, Kitsap County, Bellevue, and the Tri-Cities. All of our providers live and practice in Washington.

Insurance and Cost

We are in-network with many major Washington insurance plans, including:

• Premera

• Regence

• Blue Cross / Blue Shield

• Optum

• Aetna

• Cigna

• First Choice Health

• LifeWise

• UnitedHealthcare

• Kaiser

Cash rates are $300 for the initial evaluation and $175 for follow-up medication management. Full details are on our Rates and Insurance page.

If You Need Help Now

If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, please don't wait for an appointment. Call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, or go to your nearest emergency department.

Getting Started

No referral is required. Complete a short online intake and we'll be in touch to schedule. First appointments are typically available within 5 to 10 days.

See all conditions we treat

Medically reviewed by Sean Dunn, PMHNP-BC, ATC Psychiatry. Last updated August 2026.

schedule appointment