Personalized and comprehensive mental health care for adults
My practice combines modern, evidence-based use of medications with psychotherapy. I emphasize behavioral interventions, change, and building resilience.
Colby Lea, D.O.
I specialize in addressing persistent mental health issues that have not responded to prior treatments, as well as chronic insomnia.
Training
Bachelor of Science, University of Washington
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
One-year Psychodynamic Therapy Program, Western Pennsylvania Community for Psychoanalytic Therapy
Clinic Without Walls Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Program, Pittsburgh Psychoanalytic Center
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, Allegheny Health Network & CBTIweb
Psychiatry Residency (current 4th year resident), Allegheny Health Network
Community Psychiatry Fellowship (current fellow), University of Pittsburgh
Philosophy and Interests
I believe that holistic, person-centered care is critical to high-quality psychiatric treatment. These terms mean many things to many people. What they mean in my practice is the following:
Active communication and coordination with your other physicians or therapists.
Prioritization of what matters to you. While I will always have ideas, tools, and strategies for further well-being, you know yourself best, and solutions are typically more effective when you have as much input as possible.
Shared decision-making. Any behavioral or medication changes are made through discussion and mutual agreement.
Mutual trust. There is ample evidence that people receiving treatment do better when they trust their psychiatrist or therapist, and it is important that a treating psychiatrist can trust the information shared by their patients. With a good therapeutic relationship, medication and psychotherapy are more effective.
Strengths-based approach. At every opportunity, we focus on what you are doing well and build momentum from there.
Services
You don’t have to know the source of your suffering to see me, but these are the most common conditions I treat.
Major depression Persistent depressive disorder Bipolar disorder Obsessive-compulsive disorder Insomnia disorder Anxiety disorders Trauma and related disorders Borderline and other personality disorders Alcohol use disorder Cannabis use disorder Nicotine dependence Gambling disorder
I am also available for:
Diagnostic evaluations
One-time medication and general treatment recommendation consultation
Treatment of insomnia without the use of medications using cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia
Testamentary capacity assessments for individuals creating a will
Purpose
The purpose of Lea Psychiatry PLLC is to create a setting through which I can provide truly high-quality and accessible psychiatric treatment without constraints that employers often place on physicians and their patients. I use both medications and talk therapies — both have been demonstrated to change brain chemistry.
You may see me for all psychiatric treatment, or may work with another therapist while I provide medication management. I do not currently accept insurance. I offer a sliding scale payment option.
I offer telehealth appointments for individuals in Washington State while navigating a move from Pittsburgh to Seattle. I have limited availability and require an introductory conversation to ensure a good fit for prospective patients. I will offer in-person appointments in Seattle in the fall of 2026.
Appointments
To inquire about an appointment, enter your information at the bottom of this page or call (360) 524-3602.
Currently, all patients are seen via telehealth. Appointment frequency is person-dependent and generally varies from weekly to every three months.
I offer a sliding scale (reduced fee) based on income. Please contact me for inquiries.
Initial psychiatric evaluation
75 - 90 mins: $400
Follow-Up
30 mins: $160
45 mins: $200
Weekly psychotherapy
60 mins: $220
FAQs
Do you take insurance?
I do not currently take insurance. I plan to in the future, including Medicare.
What kind of therapy do you do?
I gravitate towards a person-centered (Rogerian) approach. I also have training in supportive therapy, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention, and psychodynamic therapy.
For sleep, I am certified in and offer a full course of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). This is the first line treatment for chronic insomnia.
Most commonly, I provide therapy that incorporates all of the above, but do tailor approach based on what a patient needs.
What services do you not provide?
Services I do not provide include care for children and teens, ADHD evaluations, disability assessments, Labor & Industries (L&I) evaluations, court-ordered treatment, assessments related to work, parenting or custody matters, emotional support animals, or firearm ownership.
What is a sliding scale payment option?
A sliding scale means that the cost of each session can be adjusted based on your financial situation. It’s meant to make treatment more accessible if paying the full fee would be a hardship. The exact fee depends on things like your income or personal circumstances.
If you think you might qualify for a sliding scale rate, just let me know. We can talk about options before starting treatment.
I do not offer pro bono/free treatment.
Do you prescribe controlled substances?
No. This means I do not prescribe medications like Adderall, Concerta, Xanax, Ativan, Oxycodone. I will refer you to another clinic in the case that you are my patient and your needs are best met through these medications.
The exception to this rule is if you are interested in decreasing or discontinuing a controlled substance but are not sure if it is clinically appropriate or how to do so. I am happy to see if we are a good fit if this is the case.
Why would a patient see you instead of through their insurance?
I prioritize accessibility and spending enough time to build a trusting relationship. I see a small number of patients to ensure we can meet often enough. I often hear that this is not the case in a typical large-volume clinic.
Additionally, insurance companies may offer only a limited selection of psychiatrists and non-physicians (NPs/PAs) for mental health treatment. Some patients are unable to find an in-network clinician whom they trust and has a psychiatrist’s level of training.
Are you a resident? How are you able to see patients on your own?
Yes, I am a current fourth year psychiatry resident as well as a fellow in a community psychiatry fellowship.
I currently have somewhere on the order of 15,000 hours of formal medical training, and the rest of my psychiatry residency is focusing on specialized fields like ECT, hypnotherapy, and emergency psychiatry.
I found the constraints of employment to limit the ways in which I can help patients (often time constraints), so wanted to create a small practice in which I have full control to do the right thing.
Lastly, there are not enough psychiatrists. Many clinicians who offer mental health treatment obtained a small fraction of the training involved in the path to become a psychiatrist. Given that I have completed all of my outpatient psychiatry training plus much more, I feel it is important to put that training to use for my community.
What is a D.O.?
There are two paths one can take to become a physician in the US: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) or Doctor of Medicine (MD). Currently, DO-granting medical schools make up about 30% of all medical students and DOs attend residency (second half of medical training) alongside MDs. The difference between the two degrees is largely historical and both routes cover the breadth and depth of modern medicine.
While not required, DOs more often enter primary care fields and emphasize "whole-person" treatment, addressing biological, psychological, and social concerns for each patient. I have found that this approach is particularly stressed in the field of psychiatry, for both MDs and DOs.
Contact
Currently offering telehealth for people located in Washington State; however will begin to see patients in-person in the Seattle area in Fall 2026.
Phone: (360) 524-3602