Patient Services
New Patient Information
To reduce your wait time and make your first visit as smooth as possible, we encourage you to complete your new patient forms before you arrive. When you schedule your first appointment, we will email and/or text you a link to fill them out online — no printing, no bringing them in. This saves us both time and lets us focus on you, not your paperwork.
● Online Forms ● No Printing Required ● LGBTQ+ Friendly ● Medical Lake, WA
Before your visit
Making Your First Visit as Easy as Possible
We are excited that you would consider honouring us with being your partners in mental health. At Essential Psychiatry, we are solution-focused, LGBTQ+ friendly, and here to serve you. We aim to help you manage and work through your mental health challenges — providing you with the skills, support, and treatment to help you find your way forward.
When you schedule your first appointment, we will email and/or text you a link to complete your new patient forms online at your own pace. Simply fill them out and submit — there’s no need to print them out or bring them in. This lets us focus on you from the moment you arrive.
How the online forms work
✓ Schedule your first appointment
✓ Receive a link via email and/or text
✓ Complete your forms online at your own pace
✓ Submit when you’re done — no printing needed
✓ Arrive and go straight to your provider
✓ We focus on you, not your paperwork
Your first visit
What Can I Expect?
Seeking psychiatric care for the first time can feel daunting — but your first visit to Essential Psychiatry is designed to be thorough, unhurried, and centred entirely around you. Whether you’ve been referred by your GP, a friend, or you’ve simply reached the point where you’re ready to ask for help, we’ll meet you where you are with compassion and without judgement.
Step 1 — Your History & Goals
You’ll begin by completing your new patient paperwork — either online before you arrive or at our clinic. Upon meeting your provider, you’ll have an open conversation about your concerns, your history, and your goals. There’s no rush. We listen carefully before we act — because understanding you fully is the foundation of effective care.
Step 2 — Psychiatric Evaluation
Your provider will conduct a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation — reviewing your symptoms, mental health history, previous treatments, medications, and any co-occurring physical health factors. This thorough assessment ensures we have the full picture before recommending any course of treatment. You are encouraged to ask questions at every step.
Step 3 — Your Care Plan
Once we’ve reviewed your evaluation and discussed your history, we build a personalised care plan together. Treatment begins only when you are completely satisfied and ready to move forward. As part of Essential Health Group, we can also coordinate with physical medicine providers where relevant — addressing both mind and body under one roof.
Insurances & conditions
Who We See & What We Accept
Essential Psychiatry welcomes patients of all backgrounds. We are LGBTQ+ friendly, a VA preferred provider, and accept most major insurance plans. If you are a veteran or active-duty military, all you need is a referral from the VA. If you’re unsure whether your insurance is accepted, please call us at (509) 299-6900 and our team will be happy to help.
Note: Molina is not accepted.
Insurances accepted
✓ Aetna
✓ Cigna
✓ First Choice
✓ Kaiser Permanente / Kaiser Washington
✓ Medicare & Medicare Advantage
✓ Medicare Advantage Regence
✓ PacificSource & PacificSource Legacy
✓ Premera Blue Cross
✓ United HealthCare
✓ VA & TriCare / TriWest
Conditions we help with
✓ Anxiety & Depression
✓ PTSD & Trauma
✓ ADHD — Children & Adults
✓ Mood & Bipolar Disorders
✓ OCD
✓ Postpartum Depression
✓ Gender Dysphoria
✓ Sleep Disorders
✓ Suicidal Ideation
✓ Substance Use & Abuse
✓ CBT & Strength-Based Therapy
Serving Those Who Served Us
Our psychiatric team understands the weight that veterans and first responders carry - because our lead provider has carried it herself. We've built our services around helping you carry less of it. Essential Psychiatry is led by retired USAF Staff Sergeant Dr. Candie Wellwood, DNP, PMHNP - a veteran who has walked the same path. We are a VA preferred provider for PTSD and depression. All you need is a referral from the VA.
We're Excited to Meet You
Schedule your first appointment today and we’ll send your new patient forms straight to your phone or inbox. No printing, no waiting — just compassionate, expert care from the moment you arrive.
Medical Lake, WA · (509) 299-6900 · Serving All of Spokane County