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Anxiety · Psychiatric care

Anxiety treatment
that actually helps.

Generalized anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety, health anxiety. Evidence-based treatment from board-certified psychiatrists across California — in person and via TelePsychiatry.

SMS appointment reminders are optional. You may opt in during booking — consent is not required to schedule or receive care. Msg & data rates may apply for opted-in numbers. Reply STOP to opt out anytime. See our SMS Consent & Terms.

Mount Fuji on a clear day
Universal Medical GroupPsychiatry · Est. 2008
TelePsychiatry across all 58 CA counties
Now accepting new patients
Most major insurance & self-pay
Five languages spoken in-house
About anxiety

What is anxiety?

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions in the United States, affecting roughly 1 in 5 adults each year. They show up as constant worry, racing thoughts, physical tension, panic attacks, or avoidance of situations that trigger fear.

Anxiety becomes a clinical issue when it’s persistent, hard to control, and gets in the way of work, relationships, or sleep. The good news: it’s one of the most treatable mental health conditions. Most patients see meaningful improvement within a few weeks of starting treatment.

Common anxiety diagnoses we treat include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and health anxiety.

Common symptoms

  • Persistent worry or fear that’s hard to control
  • Restlessness, feeling on edge, or keyed up
  • Difficulty concentrating; mind going blank
  • Muscle tension, headaches, jaw clenching
  • Sleep problems — trouble falling or staying asleep
  • Panic attacks: sudden surges of fear, racing heart, chest tightness, dizziness
  • Avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety
  • Physical symptoms: GI distress, fatigue, chronic tension

If symptoms are interfering with daily life — or if you’ve felt this way for more than two weeks — it’s worth a conversation with a psychiatrist.

Treatment options

How anxiety is treated.

Effective treatment usually combines medication, therapy, and lifestyle factors. We work with you to find the right combination.

01

SSRIs / SNRIs

First-line medication treatment. Examples include sertraline, escitalopram, venlafaxine. Effective for generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and social anxiety.

First-line
02

Buspirone

Non-sedating, non-addictive option for generalized anxiety. Works well for some patients who don’t tolerate SSRIs.

Non-addictive
03

Short-term benzodiazepines

Used cautiously and short-term for severe panic or acute episodes. We’re conservative about long-term use due to dependence risk.

Short-term
04

Beta-blockers

Helpful for performance anxiety and physical symptoms (heart racing, trembling).

Physical symptoms
05

Therapy referrals

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure Therapy have strong evidence for anxiety. We can refer to vetted local therapists.

CBT · Exposure
06

Pharmacogenomics

If you’ve tried 2+ medications without good response, genetic testing can help guide which medications are most likely to work for you.

Precision medicine
The UMG approach

Care that takes time.

Anxiety treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some people need short-term medication while they learn skills in therapy. Others need long-term pharmacologic support. Some get the most relief from lifestyle changes and CBT.

Initial evaluations at UMG run 60–90 minutes — long enough to understand your full picture. We screen for comorbidities (depression, ADHD, sleep disorders, medical contributors) that often look like anxiety but need different treatment.

If medication is the right step, we explain options, side effects, and trade-offs in plain language. The decision is yours.

SMS appointment reminders are optional. You may opt in during booking — consent is not required to schedule or receive care. Msg & data rates may apply for opted-in numbers. Reply STOP to opt out anytime. See our SMS Consent & Terms.

A consultation office at a Universal Medical Group clinic
The consultation room — unhurried, private, calm.
Where to see us

In person or via telehealth.

Four California clinics for in-person care, plus TelePsychiatry for patients anywhere in the state.

Pleasant Hill

91 Gregory Lane, Suite 20
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 · Contra Costa County

Spravato® · TMS · full services Pleasant Hill clinic

Vallejo

532 Oregon Street
Vallejo, CA 94590 · Solano County

Full services · MAT Vallejo clinic

Davis

509 4th Street, Suite A4
Davis, CA 95616 · Yolo County

ADHD testing · psychiatry Davis clinic

Fremont

39001 Sundale Drive
Fremont, CA 94538 · Alameda County

Full services · MAT Fremont clinic

TelePsychiatry

Secure video psychiatry from home — all 58 California counties, no office visit required.

Statewide telehealth Explore TelePsychiatry

All locations & directions

Frequently asked

Common questions.

SSRIs and SNRIs typically take 2–6 weeks to reach full effect, with many patients noticing improvement around weeks 2–3. Buspirone usually takes a similar timeframe. If you need faster relief, we discuss short-term options at the first visit.
No. Many patients use medication for 6–12 months while building skills in therapy and stabilizing, then taper off with a doctor’s guidance. Some patients benefit from longer-term medication. The choice is yours.
SSRIs commonly cause mild nausea, headache, or sleep changes in the first 1–2 weeks; these usually fade. Sexual side effects can persist in a minority of patients. We discuss every common and uncommon side effect before you start anything.
Yes. Anxiety is one of the most common reasons patients use our TelePsychiatry service. Initial evaluations and follow-ups can both be done virtually anywhere in California.
Begin

Anxiety is highly treatable. Start when you’re ready.

Universal Medical Group is accepting new patients across California — in person and by TelePsychiatry. Most patients see meaningful improvement within a few weeks.

SMS appointment reminders are optional. You may opt in during booking — consent is not required to schedule or receive care. Msg & data rates may apply for opted-in numbers. Reply STOP to opt out anytime. See our SMS Consent & Terms.