Does Universal Medical Group accept Medi-Cal and Medicare?

Yes. Universal Medical Group accepts Medi-Cal, Medicare, and most major commercial insurance plans at both the Pleasant Hill and Vallejo locations. Self-pay patients are also welcome. Call (925) 825-1766 to verify your specific plan.

Can I see a psychiatrist via TelePsychiatry anywhere in California?

Yes. Universal Medical Group offers TelePsychiatry across all 58 California counties. You can receive psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and follow-up care from home anywhere in California — no office visit required.

Is there a Hindi-speaking psychiatrist at Universal Medical Group?

Yes. Dr. Surender Punia MD speaks English, Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi. The practice also has staff who speak Spanish, making Universal Medical Group one of the most linguistically accessible psychiatric practices in the East Bay.

What is Spravato and does UMG offer it?

Spravato (esketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression, administered in-office under observation. Universal Medical Group is a certified Spravato REMS treatment center. It is an option for patients who have not responded to at least two traditional antidepressants.

How soon can I get an appointment?

Universal Medical Group is currently accepting new patients. You can book online at any time or call (925) 825-1766 during business hours (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm). TelePsychiatry appointments are often available sooner than in-person visits.

Now Accepting New Patients · Across All of California

Friendly, Expert Psychiatry —
Wherever You Are in California

Anxiety, depression, ADHD, stress, mood swings, insomnia — if you're struggling with something, you've come to the right place. No judgment. Real help.

Anxiety, depression, ADHD, stress & mood disorders — we see these every day
TelePsychiatry across all 58 California counties — no drive required
In-person clinics in Pleasant Hill & Vallejo, CA
English · Hindi · Urdu · Punjabi · Tagalog spoken in-house

📅 Book an Appointment TelePsychiatry — All of CA →

By scheduling an appointment, you consent to receive appointment reminders and care-related texts from Universal Medical Group. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out.

30+

Yrs Experience

CA Counties

Services

Languages

Pleasant Hill & Vallejo ClinicsModern, private, welcoming

Private ConsultationCalm & judgment-free

Thoughtful DesignCrafted for comfort

About Universal Medical Group

Expert Psychiatric Care — For Everyday Life & Complex Challenges Alike

Founded in 2008, Universal Medical Group is a physician-led psychiatric practice. Most of our patients come with everyday struggles — anxiety that won't let them sleep, depression that dims the joy out of ordinary life, ADHD that makes work feel impossible, or stress that has become too much to carry alone.

You don't need a complex diagnosis to see us. For patients with more complex needs — treatment-resistant depression, Spravato® or TMS candidacy, pharmacogenomic testing — we have that too.

🏅

Board-Certified & Fellowship-Trained

ABPN · APA Distinguished Fellow 2018

🌍

5 Languages Spoken

English · Hindi · Urdu · Punjabi · Tagalog

🔬

Precision Medicine

Pharmacogenomics · Spravato® · TMS

📱

TelePsychiatry — All 58 Counties

See us from anywhere in California

Meet Our Team → 📅 Book Now

By scheduling an appointment, you consent to receive appointment reminders and care-related texts from Universal Medical Group. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out.

🤝

We Listen FirstInitial visits are 60–90 min — we take our time

Conditions We Treat

Most Patients Come to Us With Everyday Concerns

From daily anxiety to complex psychiatric conditions — we meet you exactly where you are.

🌿

Anxiety & Worry

Constant worry, racing thoughts, panic attacks. One of the most common — and most treatable — conditions we see.

Very Common · Highly Treatable

🌅

Depression & Low Mood

Feeling flat, empty, hopeless. Depression affects 1 in 6 Americans. The right treatment makes a real difference.

Most Common Visit

🎯

ADHD — Adults & Teens

Frequently undiagnosed in adults, especially women. Thorough evaluations and effective management.

Evaluation + Treatment

🌙

Insomnia & Sleep

Psychiatric evaluation often uncovers and fixes the root cause of chronic sleep disruption.

Common · Underrated

🌱

Stress, Burnout & Life Transitions

Job loss, grief, divorce, caregiver exhaustion. Major disruptions can push anyone past their limit.

No Diagnosis Required

🛡️

PTSD & Trauma

Trauma-informed psychiatric care — flashbacks, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, recent or years ago.

Trauma-Informed

🌊

Mood Swings & Irritability

Mood dysregulation has real causes and real solutions. Bipolar spectrum and beyond.

Mood · Bipolar Spectrum

💡

Treatment-Resistant Depression

When antidepressants haven't worked — Spravato®, TMS, and pharmacogenomics available.

Spravato® · TMS Available

🤝

Opioid Use Disorder (MAT)

Judgment-free Suboxone® treatment. MAT-certified providers at both locations.

Suboxone · MAT-Certified

See All Services & Treatments →

Patient Stories

What Our Patients Say

★★★★★

"I live in Fresno and there are almost no psychiatrists accepting new patients here. UMG's telehealth changed everything. My anxiety is finally under control for the first time in years."

Verified Patient

TelePsychiatry · Fresno, CA

★★★★★

"I was finally diagnosed with ADHD in my 30s. Michelle took her time, truly listened, and put together a plan that changed my work, my relationships, and my confidence."

Verified Patient

ADHD Evaluation · Telehealth

★★★★★

"Finding a Hindi-speaking psychiatrist felt impossible. Dr. Punia understood not just my symptoms but my cultural context. Being seen in my own language made all the difference."

Verified Patient

Depression · Hindi Care · Vallejo

Common Questions

What Patients Ask Most

Answers to the questions we hear every day — straight from our clinical team.

Yes. We accept Medi-Cal, Medicare, and most major commercial insurance at both our Pleasant Hill and Vallejo locations. Self-pay patients are welcome too. Call (925) 825-1766 and we'll verify your specific plan — usually same-day.

Yes. We offer TelePsychiatry across all 58 California counties. You can receive a full psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and follow-up care from home — no office visit required. Telehealth appointments are HIPAA-secure and often available sooner than in-person slots.

Yes. Dr. Surender Punia MD speaks English, Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi fluently. For many South Asian and immigrant patients, being understood in your own language is the difference between good care and excellent care. We also have Spanish-speaking staff.

Spravato® (esketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression — for patients who haven't improved on at least two antidepressants. It's administered in our office under medical supervision. Universal Medical Group is a certified Spravato REMS treatment center. Learn more →

We are currently accepting new patients. You can book online any time, or call (925) 825-1766 Monday–Friday 9am–5pm. TelePsychiatry appointments are typically available within a few days.

Yes. ADHD is significantly underdiagnosed in adults — especially women — and is one of our most common consultations. We conduct thorough evaluations and offer evidence-based treatment including medication management, lifestyle guidance, and follow-up monitoring. TelePsychiatry makes ongoing ADHD care very convenient.

About This Practice

Universal Medical Group is a physician-led psychiatric practice founded in 2008 by Dr. Surender Punia MD, an ABPN board-certified psychiatrist with over 30 years of experience, Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (DFAPA), and Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (FASCP). The practice has two physical locations — 91 Gregory Lane, Suite 20, Pleasant Hill CA 94523 (Contra Costa County) and 532 Oregon Street, Vallejo CA 94590 (Solano County) — and offers TelePsychiatry to patients across all 58 California counties. Services include psychiatric evaluation, medication management, Spravato® (esketamine) for treatment-resistant depression, TMS therapy, pharmacogenomics testing, ADHD evaluation, and Suboxone MAT for opioid use disorder. The practice accepts Medi-Cal, Medicare, and most major commercial insurance. Dr. Punia speaks English, Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi. Michelle and Manuel speak Tagalog.

📬 No Pressure

Not Ready to Book?
That's Completely OK.

Leave your contact info and we'll reach out gently — with helpful resources, answers to your questions, or just a friendly check-in. No sales calls. No pressure. Ever.

Your Name

I'm looking into*

How did you hear about us?

Cell Phone * — at least phone or email required Please enter a valid US phone number

Email Address * Please enter a valid email address

What is ? + ? ?

🔒 CAPTCHAProve you're human

By providing your contact information, you consent to receive appointment reminders and care-related messages from Universal Medical Group. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out.

💙

We've Got Your Info!

Someone from our team will reach out soon — gently and without pressure. In the meantime, feel free to explore our Patient Education resources.

Get Started Today

You Deserve Good Psychiatric Care —
And It's Easier Than You Think

Accepting new patients across California right now — in-person and via TelePsychiatry.

📅 Book Online 📞 (925) 825-1766

By scheduling an appointment, you consent to receive appointment reminders and care-related texts from Universal Medical Group. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out.

30+

Years Experience

CA Counties via Telehealth

Specialty Services

Languages Spoken

Friendly, Expert Psychiatry —
Wherever You Are in California