Psychiatric Evaluation & Medication Management in Puyallup
ADHD, Anxiety, and Depression Treatment
Does this sound like you?
You procrastinate or can’t seem to get started
Your mind is always racing or overthinking
You feel overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities
You’re exhausted but can’t relax
You’ve lost motivation or interest in things you used to enjoy
You’ve tried to “push through,” but it’s not working
These are common signs of ADHD, anxiety, or depression—and they’re treatable.
As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), I provide psychiatric evaluations and medication management for ADHD, anxiety, depression and other diagnoses for teens and adults in Puyallup, Bonney Lake, Tacoma, and throughout Washington (in-person and telehealth) focused on long-term stability, clarity, and quality of life. My goal is to help you feel informed, supported, and empowered in every treatment decision.
Depression, Anxiety, & ADHD Medication Management in Puyallup, WA
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Evaluation & Diagnosis
A thorough and accurate psychiatric evaluation is the foundation of effective mental health care. My comprehensive psychiatric evaluations are designed to understand the full picture of your mental, emotional, and physical health starting with our first appointment and continuing with each follow-up appointment.
What to Expect
During your psychiatric evaluation, I take time to listen to your concerns, symptoms, and goals. Assessments may include:
A detailed mental health history
Review of medical history, medications, and family history
Discussion of current symptoms, stressors, and functioning
ADHD screening, depression screening, anxiety screening and evaluation for other psychiatric diagnosis.
Evaluation of mood, anxiety, depression, attention & focus, sleep, trauma history, and thought patterns.
Each treatment plan is individualized, evidence-based, and regularly reviewed to support symptom relief and long-term mental wellness.
Medication management for ADHD, anxiety, depression, and mood disorders.
60 mins | $350
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Pyschiatric Medication Management
Upon concluding your psychiatric evaluation & determining the most appropriate diagnosis we will discuss various treatment options including medication management, side effects, adverse effects, dosaging as well as non-pharmacological options.
30 mins | $200 (Follow-up)
Conditions I Treat
Depression (Major Depressive Disorder/MDD)
Anxiety Disorders & Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Trauma-related conditions & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Bipolar disorder
Psychotic disorders
Adjustment and stress-related concerns
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Psychotherapy & Education
As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), my approach to care goes beyond diagnosis and medication management. I incorporate supportive psychotherapy and patient education into visits to help you better understand your symptoms, develop practical coping strategies, and feel more in control of your mental health.
Psychotherapy in this setting is focused, collaborative, and tailored to your needs. This may include:
Identifying patterns in thoughts, behaviors, and emotional responses
Developing skills to manage anxiety, improve focus, or regulate mood
Problem-solving around real-life challenges
Supporting motivation, organization, and follow-through
Education is an essential part of care. I provide clear, evidence-based information about:
Your diagnosis and how it affects daily functioning
Treatment options, including medication benefits and side effects
Lifestyle factors that impact mental health (sleep, stress, routines)
The goal is to help you feel informed, supported, and equipped with tools that extend beyond appointments—so you can make meaningful, lasting progress in your day-to-day life.
ADHD Evaluation
For teens this process requires supporting information from teachers and parents. For adults this process requires current impairment & supporting information from parents regarding childhood symptom presentation:
Inattention symptoms
Hyperactivity-Impulsivity symptoms
Onset & duration of symptom presentation
ADHD Evaluation
I take the time to understand your full picture:
Current symptoms and challenges
History of focus, organization, and attention
Screening tools and clinical assessment
Ruling out other causes (anxiety, depression, sleep issues)
You’ll leave with clarity—not guesswork.
ADHD Diagnosis
To ensure your treatment plan is optimized we will meet regularly to ensure your target symptoms are being addressed to your satisfaction:
Monitoring for effectiveness and side effects
Careful adjustments to find what works best
ADHD Treatment
If ADHD is diagnosed, we’ll create a plan tailored to you:
I offer thoughtful, evidence-based prescribing:
Stimulant and non-stimulant options
Medication + behavioral strategies
Non-medication approaches
Practical strategies for focus and follow-through
Follow-up Care
Anxiety Evaluation & Treatment
Does this sound like you?
Your mind won’t “shut off”
You worry about multiple things throughout the day
You feel tense, restless, or on edge
You overthink conversations or decisions
You have trouble sleeping because your mind keeps going
You feel mentally and physically exhausted
If this feels familiar, you may be experiencing Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
What anxiety actually feels like
Generalized anxiety isn’t just occasional stress.
It often shows up as:
Constant background worry
Difficulty relaxing—even during downtime
Physical tension (neck, shoulders, jaw)
Trouble concentrating
Feeling overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities
It’s not a lack of resilience—it’s how your nervous system is operating.
If anxiety is diagnosed, we provide thoughtful, personalized medication management.
Common options include:
Sertraline
Escitalopram
Venlafaxine
We focus on:
Finding the right medication and dose
Minimizing side effects
Ongoing adjustments based on your response
Anxiety Treatment Options
Depression Evaluation & Treatment
What are common symptoms of depression?
Depression can look different for each person, but common symptoms include:
Persistent low mood or sadness
Loss of interest or enjoyment in activities
Low energy or fatigue
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Changes in sleep (sleeping too much or too little)
Changes in appetite or weight
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Slowed thinking or movement
Irritability
Symptoms are typically present most days for at least two weeks or longer.
How is depression diagnosed?
Depression is diagnosed through a clinical evaluation, not a lab test.
A provider will assess:
Current symptoms and their severity
Duration of symptoms
Impact on daily functioning
Medical and mental health history
Other possible causes (such as medical conditions or medications)
Diagnosis generally requires multiple symptoms present for at least two weeks, including either low mood or loss of interest.
How is depression treated?
Treatment for depression typically includes a combination of:
Medication: Can help regulate mood and improve energy, focus, and overall functioning.
Therapy: Can help address thought patterns, coping strategies, and emotional processing.
Lifestyle support: Including sleep and routine, physical activity & nutrition and stress management
Most people benefit from a combination of approaches.
Meet the Team
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Starla Halverson, ARNP, PMHNP-BC
Starla is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner based in Washington who is passionate about partnering with individuals of all ages on their journey toward greater mental health wellness. She earned her degree from Gonzaga University with the goal of addressing the growing need for accessible, compassionate mental health services in her surrounding communities.
Starla believes that trust is the foundation of effective mental health care. She is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered. By building strong therapeutic relationships, she partners with each individual to identify their unique strengths, challenges, and goals to create agreed upon treatment plans to address a variety of mental health conditions and concerns.
In her free time, she enjoys taking in the PNW through biking, hiking, camping and boating with her family and friends. She enjoys traveling and experiencing new places.
Accepted Insurances
Regence BlueShield of Washington
Premera Blue Cross Washington
Cigna
Aetna
Carelon Behavioral Health
Quest Behavioral Health
Oscar (Optum)
United Healthcare (Optum)
Oxford (Optum)