The evaluation process
Adult depression often presents less as sadness and more as chronic flatness — muted interest, degraded concentration, interrupted sleep, and a sense of effort required for ordinary daily function. The condition frequently co-travels with anxiety, and for many patients both are present and neither is adequately treated.
What a first visit covers:
- A comprehensive diagnostic interview and medication history review
- Validated measures: PHQ-9, GAD-7, MDQ, AUDIT-C
- Medical differential work-up where indicated
- Therapist coordination when therapy is part of the plan
A treatment plan is discussed before you leave. When medication is the right next step and there are no contraindications, a prescription may be sent that day; in many cases we prefer to start after labs, a records review, or a brief focused follow-up.
Medication options
Medication choice is matched to symptom profile, medical history, prior trials, and patient preference. Where therapy belongs alongside medication, we say so and help coordinate the referral.
- SSRIs: Sertraline, escitalopram, fluoxetine — the standard first-line options.
- SNRIs: Venlafaxine XR, duloxetine — useful when pain and fatigue are prominent.
- Atypicals & augmentation: Bupropion, mirtazapine, aripiprazole or lithium augmentation.
- Novel agents: Auvelity, Trintellix, and referral for ketamine or TMS when indicated.
Serving Vancouver and Clark County
Our Vancouver office at 4400 NE 77th Ave, Ste 275 serves Camas, Washougal, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, Hazel Dell, and neighboring North Portland, with secure-video telehealth available to patients throughout Washington.
Our Vancouver caseload for depression skews toward working professionals — Portland-area tech and healthcare staff who've moved across the river, PeaceHealth Southwest and Legacy Salmon Creek clinicians, Washington School for the Deaf and Vancouver Public Schools educators, remote workers whose coverage finally supports in-network psychiatric access, and North Portland residents choosing Vancouver for easier parking and shorter door-to-door time.
Insurance & self-pay
In-network in Washington with Regence BlueCross BlueShield, Premera, Cigna / Evernorth, Aetna, First Choice, and Optum. Most patients pay a specialist copay ($20–$60 typical).
Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) is not accepted. Self-pay rates: $350 initial evaluation, $180 standard follow-up. Superbills available for out-of-network reimbursement. Good Faith Estimates provided before your first visit.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a psychiatrist in Vancouver, WA taking new adult depression patients?
Yes — MindHealth Psychiatry at 4400 NE 77th Ave, Ste 275 sees adult depression patients with a typical new-patient wait of about two weeks.
What insurance is accepted in Washington?
In-network with Regence BCBS, Premera, Cigna/Evernorth, Aetna, First Choice, and Optum. Apple Health (Washington Medicaid) is not accepted.
I live in Portland — can I do depression care at your Vancouver office?
Yes. Oregon-resident patients are seen at the Vancouver office under Oregon licensure. Many Portland patients prefer Vancouver for the shorter drive and easier parking.
Is telehealth available for depression treatment in Washington?
Yes. Non-controlled antidepressants are fully prescribable by telehealth in Washington. Hybrid in-person/video care is common.