--- title: "Online Psychiatry in Washington" date: 2026-10-19 author: "Camelback Integrated Health and Wellness" --- # Online Psychiatry in Washington Telehealth for Washington residents # Online Psychiatry in Washington Our online psychiatric services reach patients anywhere in Washington by secure video, through Richard Lewallen, PMHNP-BC, a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner licensed in the state. He evaluates, diagnoses and manages medication for children, adolescents and adults, with a focus on ADHD, anxiety, depression and mood disorders. Follow-up visits happen on the same video link. [Call (480) 631-9623](tel:+14806319623) [Request an appointment](https://robert-westerman6096.clientsecure.me/) Video visits reach patients from Seattle, Tacoma and Bellevue to Spokane, Vancouver and Yakima. Our care team answers Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm Arizona time. [See the hours in Washington time](#washington-hours). ![A woman relaxing at home](https://camelbackintegratedhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/A-calm-woman-relaxing-at-home-experiencing-mood-stability-after-receiving-bipolar-disorder-treatment-in-Phoenix-AZ.jpg "A calm woman relaxing at home, experiencing mood stability after receiving bipolar disorder treatment in Phoenix, AZ.") ### PMHNP-BC Washington-licensed, seeing patients by video Washington by the numbers ## Washington ranks 7th for provider supply, yet nearly 1 in 3 adults with a mental illness goes without care Provider counts and access do not line up in Washington. Mental Health America's 2025 rankings place the state 7th for residents per mental health provider and 44th for adults who report unmet need. Demand runs high too: 27.99% of Washington adults had a mental illness in 2022 to 2023, one of the five highest rates in the country, against 22.95% nationally. ### 200 to 1 residents per mental health provider in Washington, compared with 320 to 1 nationally. Ranked 7th of 51 ### 31.1% of Washington adults with a mental illness sought or felt they needed treatment and did not receive it. Nationally the figure is 25.2%. Ranked 44th of 51 ### 4.5 million Washingtonians live in a federally designated mental health shortage area, 56% of the state's 8,001,020 residents. Those areas have 21% of the providers they need. HRSA data, Dec 31, 2025 Sources: Mental Health America, The State of Mental Health in America 2025, [access to care rankings](https://mhanational.org/the-state-of-mental-health-in-america/data-rankings/access-to-care/) and [prevalence rankings](https://mhanational.org/the-state-of-mental-health-in-america/data-rankings/prevalence-data). [KFF, Mental Health Care Health Professional Shortage Areas, data as of December 31, 2025](https://www.kff.org/other-health/state-indicator/mental-health-care-health-professional-shortage-areas-hpsas/). [U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Washington, July 1, 2025 estimate](https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/WA,US/PST045224). Rankings include the 50 states and Washington, DC. ## Services available to Washington patients Washington patients receive two services, both by video: - **Psychiatric evaluation.** A structured assessment of your symptoms, health history and earlier treatments, closing with a diagnosis and a plan you can see in writing. - **Medication management.** Prescriptions sent to your Washington pharmacy, then follow-up video visits to fine-tune dosing, track side effects and set the next step. Richard treats ADHD, anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar and other mood disorders, PTSD and thought disorders, pairing medication with CBT techniques and practical habits. ### Washington and Arizona, side by side ServiceWashingtonArizonaPsychiatric evaluationBy videoVideo or Phoenix officeMedication managementBy videoVideo or Phoenix officeBrainsWay Deep TMSNot availablePhoenix officeGeneSight testingNot availablePhoenix officeOutpatient and addiction programsNot availablePhoenix office **By video in Washington:** psychiatric evaluation and medication management. **Phoenix office only:** BrainsWay Deep TMS, GeneSight testing, and outpatient and addiction programs. Deep TMS and GeneSight testing require an in-person visit to our clinic at 4527 N 16th St, Suite 201, Phoenix. ## Your Washington-licensed provider Richard Lewallen is the provider at Camelback Integrated Health and Wellness who sees patients located in Washington. He is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC), licensed in Washington as an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP). Washington changes the ARNP title to advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) on June 30, 2027 under [House Bill 2416](https://nursing.wa.gov/laws-rules-and-statements/laws/arnp-title-change), and either title is correct until then. Anyone can confirm a Washington credential through the Department of Health's [Provider Credential Search](https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/provider-credential-or-facility-search). [![Richard Lewallen, PMHNP-BC, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner](https://camelbackintegratedhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/RL-Headshot.jpg)](/our-team/richard-lewallen-pmhnp-bc/) ### [Richard Lewallen, PMHNP-BC](/our-team/richard-lewallen-pmhnp-bc/) Board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (ARNP in Washington) Licensed in Washington and Arizona Richard spent 17 years as a nurse across rehabilitation, medical-surgical, cardiac, orthopedic and psychiatric units before moving into psychiatric practice. He holds an MSN as a PMHNP from Herzing University, a BSN from Galen College of Nursing and a psychology degree from Appalachian State University. His sessions blend medication management with cognitive behavioral therapy techniques and lifestyle changes. Richard welcomes patients of every background, including the LGBTQIA+ community. [Read Richard's full profile →](/our-team/richard-lewallen-pmhnp-bc/) Our other providers are licensed in [Arizona](/psychiatry-phoenix-az/), [Oregon](/online-psychiatry-oregon/) or [Montana](/online-psychiatry-montana/) and cannot see patients while they are located in Washington. [See all providers and their licensed states](/our-providers/). ## How a telehealth visit works from Washington Booking, insurance and every visit happen by phone, online or on video. Nothing in this process requires a trip to Phoenix. ### 1 ### Book by phone or online Call (480) 631-9623 or [request an appointment online](https://robert-westerman6096.clientsecure.me/). Let us know you are in Washington, and we book you with Richard. ### 2 ### Benefits confirmed We check your plan and explain your copay or deductible before your first visit. ### 3 ### First visit on video Your first appointment is a live video visit. Washington plans can require a video or in-person visit before they cover phone-only care. ### 4 ### Ongoing care Prescriptions go to your Washington pharmacy electronically. Follow-ups continue by video at the pace Richard sets with you. **Telehealth visits are not for emergencies.** If you are in crisis, call or text 988 or call 911. Know before you book ## Three Washington and federal rules that shape your care ### A Washington license, with one travel exception Washington's Uniform Telehealth Act ([RCW 18.134.050](https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.134.050)) requires a provider treating a patient located in Washington to hold a Washington license. Richard holds one. The same law allows limited follow-up care for an established patient who is temporarily in Washington. Arizona patients visiting Washington should call us before their appointment so we can confirm what applies. ### Video visits pay the same as office visits Under [RCW 48.43.735](https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=48.43.735), state-regulated plans pay for a covered, medically necessary telemedicine service at the same rate as the in-person service. Phone-only visits are covered as well, but your plan can first require an in-person or video visit within the past three years ([CCHP summary](https://cchpca.org/washington)). Self-funded employer plans follow federal rules, so we verify your benefits before your first visit. ### Controlled medications by video have a federal deadline The DEA and HHS extended telemedicine flexibilities through December 31, 2026. Until then, Schedule II to V medications can be prescribed by video without a prior in-person visit ([Federal Register 2025-24123](https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2025-24123)). Whether a controlled medication, such as an ADHD stimulant, fits your treatment is a clinical decision Richard makes after your evaluation. ## Our hours in Washington time Arizona stays on Mountain Standard Time all year and skips daylight saving time ([A.R.S. 1-242](https://azleg.gov/ars/1/00242.htm)). Washington is on Pacific Time and changes its clocks. For most of the year our hours match your clock exactly. From November to March they shift one hour earlier in Washington. Online appointment requests are open 24/7. [Request an appointment](https://robert-westerman6096.clientsecure.me/). Care team hoursWashington (Pacific Time)Mid-March to early November (daylight saving)9am to 7pmEarly November to mid-March (standard time)8am to 6pm **Mid-March to early November (daylight saving):** 9am to 7pm Pacific. **Early November to mid-March (standard time):** 8am to 6pm Pacific. Monday to Friday. Clocks change on the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday in November. ## Insurance we accept The plans we accept are the same for Washington and Arizona patients. Coverage depends on your specific plan and network, so we check your benefits before your first visit and tell you the cost up front. [Verify your insurance online](/insurance-verification/) [Call (480) 631-9623](tel:+14806319623) ### Accepted plans include **UnitedHealthcare** **Aetna** **Cigna** **Anthem** **Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona** Not listed? Call and our care team will check your plan. ## Start care from anywhere in Washington Call Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm Arizona time, and we will check your insurance while you are on the line. Or request an appointment online any time. [Request an appointment](https://robert-westerman6096.clientsecure.me/) [(480) 631-9623](tel:+14806319623) ## Questions from Washington patients Anything not covered here, our care team can answer by phone at [(480) 631-9623](tel:+14806319623). ### [What is the difference between an ARNP, an APRN and a psychiatrist?](#432fe4d27875bfdf4) A psychiatrist is a physician (MD or DO). In Washington, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner is licensed as an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP), a title that becomes advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) on June 30, 2027. Under RCW 18.79.250, ARNPs prescribe legend drugs and controlled substances within the scope the Washington State Board of Nursing sets. ### [Do I have to be in Washington during my appointment?](#7a72a2f2fda851f1e) Yes. Richard treats Washington patients while they are physically located in Washington. If you will be out of state on the day of your visit, call us before the appointment so we can reschedule. ### [Can my follow-up visits be by phone?](#61a42cc74bfa4c7d0) Washington plans cover audio-only care, but they can require an established relationship first: an in-person or video visit within the past three years. Your first visit with us is by video, which meets that requirement for later phone follow-ups when Richard agrees they fit your care. ### [What time are appointments in Washington?](#c2bd5db6ff67bb0fe) Our care team works Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm Arizona time. From mid-March to early November that is 9am to 7pm Pacific. From early November to mid-March it is 8am to 6pm Pacific. ### [Can I get Deep TMS or GeneSight testing as a Washington patient?](#2a99b26097c9664e2) No. Deep TMS and GeneSight testing require an in-person visit to our Phoenix clinic. Washington patients receive psychiatric evaluation and medication management by telehealth. ### [Will my insurance pay the same for a video visit?](#df1ac067deb57d726) Washington law (RCW 48.43.735) requires state-regulated plans to pay for a covered telemedicine service at the same rate as an in-person visit. Self-funded employer plans follow federal rules instead. We verify your specific benefits before your first visit. ### [Can ADHD medication be prescribed by telehealth in Washington?](#06fefe187ceb80409) Federal telemedicine flexibilities allow Schedule II to V medications, which include ADHD stimulants, to be prescribed by video without a prior in-person visit through December 31, 2026. Richard decides whether any medication fits your treatment after a full evaluation. **Medically reviewed by** [Dr. Robbie Westerman, DNP, PMHNP](/our-team/robbie-westerman/), Chief Medical Officer.