Anxiety Medication Management in Soldotna and Homer, AK
Living with anxiety can feel exhausting and relentless. Constant worry, racing thoughts, panic, tension, difficulty sleeping, or a sense of always being on edge can slowly take over daily life. Many people try different ways of coping, including therapy, and still find that anxiety continues to feel overwhelming.
At Kenai Peninsula Mental Health, we offer anxiety medication management as a supportive layer of care, designed to work alongside counseling and the skills you are already building. Our goal is not to numb emotions, but to help reduce the intensity of anxiety so daily life and coping strategies feel more manageable.
Meet Our Psychiatric Nurse Practioner
Leslie Lajeunesse - PMHNP
Leslie has been working in mental healthcare for over 10 years and is passionate about helping people feel calmer, more grounded, and better able to manage the stress and anxiety of daily life. Working out of our Mat-Su Office, she works closely with clients and therapists to support thoughtful, collaborative care for anxiety, panic, and related concerns.
Medication decisions are never rushed and are always made with care, clear communication, and shared decision-making. Leslie’s approach focuses on helping clients feel supported and informed as they find what works best for them.
Medication Support for Adults
Many adults live with anxiety for years before considering medication support. You may be managing work, relationships, parenting, or major life transitions while feeling chronically overwhelmed, tense, or mentally exhausted.
Medication support may be helpful for adults who:
Experience persistent worry, overthinking, or mental restlessness
Struggle with panic attacks or sudden surges of anxiety
Feel physically tense or on edge most of the time
Notice anxiety interfering with sleep, concentration, or daily functioning
Are already engaged in therapy and want additional support
Medication is not a shortcut or a replacement for therapy. For many adults, it simply creates enough breathing room to apply what they are learning in counseling more effectively.
Anxiety Medication Support for Children and Teens
Anxiety can show up differently in children and teens than it does in adults. It may look like avoidance, irritability, physical complaints, emotional outbursts, or difficulty separating from caregivers. For parents, it can be hard to know when anxiety has crossed the line from typical worry into something that needs extra support.
Medication support may be helpful for children and teens who:
Experience frequent worry, fear, or reassurance-seeking
Struggle with school-related anxiety or social stress
Have physical symptoms such as stomachaches or headaches linked to anxiety
Feel overwhelmed despite therapy and home support
Are already engaged in counseling and need additional support
We work collaboratively with parents and therapists to support young people in developmentally appropriate ways. The goal is to reduce anxiety enough for children and teens to better access their strengths and the coping skills they are building in therapy.
What to Expect From Medication Oriented Appointments
Medication appointments are focused on understanding your experience, not just your symptoms. During your initial visit, your provider will take time to learn about your anxiety, medical history, current stressors, and how therapy is supporting you.
If medication is recommended, options are discussed clearly and collaboratively, including benefits, possible side effects, and what to expect over time. Follow-up appointments allow space to assess how medication is working and make adjustments gradually and thoughtfully.
We prioritize ongoing communication and shared decision-making at every step.
Getting Started With Anxiety Medication Management
If anxiety continues to feel overwhelming despite your efforts in therapy, medication support may be a helpful next step. We are here to explore options with care, respect, and collaboration.
Once you reach out, our on-boarding admin will contact you to gather information regarding your specific situation. They will explore with you what provider will likely best meet your needs, and support you in getting set up in our electronic health record.
Keai Peninsula Mental Health uses Simple Practice, a medical record and portal system that will allow for confidential and HIPAA compliant messaging that ensures your privacy. You will be sent a portal link that directs you to online documentation to be completed prior to your initial session.
This is a great time to ask any questions you might have. After all, where you go for support is your choice, and we want you to feel empowered to assess whether or not we are the right fit for you! Here at KPMH, our providers believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is essential in the process of creating change. These initial conversations are important in assessing fit, as therapy is not “one size fits all.”
Our offices are conveniently located in Soldotna and Homer. Feel free to arrive a few minutes prior to your scheduled session to grab a cup of tea and relax before meeting with your provider. We look forward to meeting you, and are honored you have chosen us to do this work alongside you.