HEALTHY MINDS PSYCHIATRY · HERITAGE FAMILY MEDICINE · OLYMPIA, WA
Anxiety Disorder Treatment in Olympia, WA
Evidence-Based Care for a Calmer, Steadier Life
You don’t have to keep white-knuckling through anxiety. Real relief is possible — and it starts here.
Written & reviewed by Dr. Rajwant Kler, DNP PMHNP-BC — Healthy Minds Psychiatry at Heritage Family Medicine
UNDERSTANDING ANXIETY DISORDERS
Anxiety treatment in Olympia, WA — you don't have to white-knuckle through it
If you live in Olympia, WA or anywhere in Thurston County and anxiety has been dictating your days — what you say, where you go, how much you can handle — you’re not weak, and you’re not alone. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the United States, affecting more than 40 million adults. And unlike everyday worry, anxiety disorders don’t quiet down on their own. They need real, evidence-based support.
At Healthy Minds Psychiatry — Heritage Family Medicine’s dedicated psychiatric practice, anxiety is treated as the whole-body condition it is. Our integrated model brings psychiatric care and primary care together at our Olympia clinic — so whether your anxiety shows up as racing thoughts, a pounding heart, chronic pain, or an inability to sleep, we’re equipped to treat the full picture.
TYPES OF ANXIETY WE TREAT
Anxiety disorders evaluated and treated at Healthy Minds Psychiatry
Anxiety isn’t one-size-fits-all. Different anxiety disorders have different presentations, triggers, and treatment approaches. Dr. Kler is experienced in evaluating and treating the full spectrum, including:
| Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) — persistent, excessive worry about everyday situations that's hard to control | Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) — anxiety rooted in traumatic experiences, including military trauma |
| Panic Disorder — recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and fear of future episodes | Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) — intrusive thoughts paired with repetitive behaviors or mental acts |
| Social Anxiety Disorder — intense fear of social situations, judgment, or embarrassment | Specific Phobias & Health Anxiety — fear responses that interfere with everyday functioning |
RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS
Common symptoms of anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders produce both mental and physical symptoms — and the physical ones are often the reason people end up in a primary care office before they ever connect them to anxiety. If you’ve been experiencing any of these persistently, it’s worth talking to a provider:
| • Constant worry that's difficult to switch off | • Trouble sleeping or staying asleep |
| • Restlessness, feeling on edge, or unable to relax | • Muscle tension, headaches, or stomach issues |
| • Rapid heartbeat or chest tightness | • Avoiding places, people, or situations |
| • Shortness of breath or feeling of choking | • Irritability, difficulty concentrating, or mind going blank |
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders are highly treatable — yet only about 37% of people who experience them receive treatment.
OUR TREATMENT APPROACH
How Healthy Minds Psychiatry treats anxiety disorders
Effective anxiety treatment isn’t a single intervention — it’s a carefully coordinated plan built around how anxiety is showing up in your specific life. Here’s what working with us looks like:
Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation
Your first appointment with Dr. Kler is focused entirely on understanding you — your symptoms, their history, your triggers, co-occurring conditions, and your goals. No cookie-cutter assessments. No assumptions. Just a full, attentive evaluation that gives your treatment plan a real foundation.
Evidence-based medication management (when appropriate)
When medication is the right tool, Dr. Kler prescribes thoughtfully and monitors closely. First-line options for anxiety — including SSRIs, SNRIs, and non-habit-forming alternatives — are explained clearly so you understand exactly what you're taking and why. Medication is never the only option, and it's always your choice.
Coordinated physical health support through our team of ARNPs
Anxiety is deeply connected to physical health. Thyroid imbalances, cardiovascular conditions, sleep disorders, and nutritional deficiencies can all amplify anxiety symptoms. Our team of ARNPs addresses the physical side of your health in parallel, so nothing is overlooked.
Referrals for therapy when clinically appropriate
Medication alone rarely tells the whole story. When therapy would benefit your treatment, we provide referrals to trusted licensed therapists in the Olympia area — because coordinated care produces better outcomes than any single approach.
Ongoing monitoring and plan adjustments
Anxiety treatment is a process. We schedule follow-up appointments to check in on your progress, refine your medications if needed, and make sure your plan keeps working as your life evolves.
TELEHEALTH OPTIONS
Anxiety treatment available via telehealth — in-person or from home
For many people with anxiety, the idea of going somewhere new — sitting in a waiting room, navigating parking — can itself feel like a barrier to care. We get it. That’s why Heritage Family Medicine offers secure telehealth appointments for anxiety evaluations, medication management, and follow-up visits. Available to patients in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and anywhere across Washington State.
| Psychiatric evaluations via telehealth | Medication management and refills | Follow-up appointments and check-ins |
| Mon–Fri 8am–5pm | Text-to-communicate: 360-704-2362 | Same-day appointments may be available |
WHY HEALTHY MINDS PSYCHIATRY
What sets our anxiety care apart in Thurston County
Anxiety is one of the most under-treated conditions in Thurston County — not because people don’t want help, but because the path to care is often fragmented, slow, or intimidating. Healthy Minds Psychiatry was built to remove those barriers:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQs about anxiety treatment at Healthy Minds Psychiatry
Do I need a referral to be evaluated for an anxiety disorder?
No referral is needed. You can contact Healthy Minds Psychiatry directly to schedule a psychiatric evaluation with Dr. Kler — either in person at our Olympia clinic or via telehealth anywhere in Washington State.
What's the difference between normal worry and an anxiety disorder?
Everyday worry is typically tied to a specific situation and fades when it resolves. An anxiety disorder involves worry or fear that is persistent, difficult to control, disproportionate to the situation, and significantly impacts your ability to function in daily life. If anxiety is regularly disrupting your work, relationships, sleep, or physical health, it's worth an evaluation.
Will I be prescribed medication for anxiety?
Not automatically. Medication is one option among several, and we always discuss the full range of evidence-based approaches with you before making any decisions. If medication is recommended, we explain exactly what it does, how to take it, and what to watch for — and your preferences always matter in that conversation.
Can you treat anxiety alongside depression, ADHD, or PTSD?
Yes. Anxiety very commonly co-occurs with depression, ADHD, PTSD, and OCD. Dr. Kler evaluates and treats co-occurring mental health conditions together — so you don't need multiple providers or separate appointments across town.
Are you accepting new patients for anxiety treatment in Olympia?
Yes — Healthy Minds Psychiatry is actively welcoming new patients. Visit heritagefamilymedicine.com/new-patient-form/ to get started, or call/text us at 360-704-2362. Same-day appointments may be available.
You don't have to live with anxiety.
Effective, stigma-free anxiety treatment is available in Olympia, WA.
Healthy Minds Psychiatry at Heritage Family Medicine — new patients welcome — same-day appointments may be available.
