Sanford Depression & Anxiety Center
The Sanford Depression & Anxiety Center provides psychiatrist-led outpatient care for adults in West Michigan living with depression, anxiety, mood disorders, or treatment-resistant depression (TRD), also called difficult-to-treat depression.
What We Treat
The Sanford Depression & Anxiety Center provides evaluation and outpatient treatment for:
- Depression
- Treatment-resistant depression (TRD), also called difficult-to-treat depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Mood disorders
- PTSD
- Related symptoms that affect daily functioning, relationships, work, sleep, or quality of life
In 2021, an estimated 21 million U.S. adults experienced at least one major depressive episode, 8.3% of the adult population. ¹ If symptoms continue despite treatment, a more detailed evaluation may help clarify what is contributing to symptoms and what options should be considered next.
At Sanford, we think you should not have to wait months to see a specialist. The Sanford Depression & Anxiety Center offers immediate access to appointments, so you can begin with careful evaluation and a clear plan.
How Care Begins: Our “Diagnosis First” Philosophy
Treatment begins with understanding the person, not simply selecting a medication or therapy based on a symptom checklist.
Our Diagnosis First philosophy uses an in-depth clinical evaluation that may include:
- Review of your psychiatric and medical history
- Assessment of previous treatments, doses, duration, side effects, and response
- Review of symptom patterns, severity, sleep, energy, concentration, and functioning
- Screening for related or co-occurring conditions
- Consideration of relevant medical factors
- Lab work when clinically appropriate
- Genetic or pharmacogenomic testing when clinically appropriate
- Validated symptom measures to establish a baseline and monitor progress over time
Adjustable Treatment Plans
Objective information can support better-informed clinical decisions, but no single test determines the “right” treatment. Genetic testing is one possible source of information within a broader evaluation, not a replacement for psychiatric judgment or a therapeutic relationship.
After the evaluation, your clinician can develop a treatment plan and adjust it over time. If symptoms do not improve adequately, care progresses through a disciplined treatment escalation strategy rather than relying on repeated trial and error.
Services Designed Around Your Needs
Individualized 1-on-1 Therapy
Individual therapy can be booked as a standalone service or included in a broader psychiatric treatment plan.
Your therapist will help decide which approach best fits your diagnosis, symptoms, history, preferences, and goals. Depending on your clinical presentation, care may incorporate evidence-informed modalities such as cognitive behavioral strategies, skills-based interventions, or other proper therapeutic approaches.
Therapy can support symptom management, coping skills, communication, emotional regulation, relationships, and day-to-day functioning.
Medication Management
Medication management includes a careful review of current and past medications, benefits, side effects, interactions, adherence, and treatment goals.
Your psychiatric provider may recommend continuing, adjusting, changing, or augmenting medication based on your diagnosis and response. Medication decisions are individualized and monitored over time.
What Does “Evidence-Based Practice” Mean?
Evidence-based practice means combining:
The best available research, clinical expertise, your individual needs, preferences, diagnosis, symptoms, history, and goals.
It does not mean that every patient receives the same treatment. Two people with depression may have different diagnoses, medical factors, earlier treatment experiences, symptom patterns, or priorities. Their care plans may look different.
Our approach uses clinical evaluation, objective information, ongoing measurement, and patient feedback to help guide decisions. Validated symptom measures can help establish a baseline and track changes during treatment. ²
The goal is a thoughtful, measurable, individualized plan that can be reassessed as your needs change.
A Dedicated Spravato Esketamine Clinic
The Spravato Esketamine Clinic is a specialized subset of the Sanford Depression & Anxiety Center for adults being evaluated for Spravato treatment for treatment-resistant depression.
The process begins with a clinical evaluation. If Spravato is not appropriate, your clinician can discuss other comprehensive treatment options, including psychiatric care, medication management, and therapy when clinically indicated.
Visit the dedicated Spravato Esketamine Clinic page
Spravato is a prescription treatment with important safety requirements. The current prescribing information describes risks including sedation, dissociation, respiratory depression, increased blood pressure, abuse, and misuse. It must be administered under the direct supervision of a healthcare provider through the required restricted program. ³
Insurance and Access Support
Sanford Medical Specialists handle prior authorizations and the heavy lifting paperwork associated with care. We work with all commercial insurance as well as Medicare. We are a Medicare-certified provider. We accept traditional Medicare and many Medicare Advantage plans.
Insurance coverage and patient responsibility vary by plan. Our team can help gather coverage information and explain the next administrative steps.
Clinical References
- National Institute of Mental Health. (2023, July). Major depression. National Institutes of Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression
- American Psychiatric Association. (2023). Resource document on implementation of measurement-based care. https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/search-directories-databases/resource-documents/2023/implementation-of-measurement-based-care
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2025). SPRAVATO (esketamine) nasal spray: Prescribing information. Daily Med. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=d81a6a79-a74a-44b7-822c-0dfa3036eaed
Important Information
The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Treatment recommendations are individualized. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional about your symptoms, medications, medical history, and treatment options.
If you are experiencing an emergency or are in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
All medical services are provided by Sanford Medical Specialists PLLC
Get In Touch
For details on our locations call us at 844-776-9651 or fill out the form below
