Anxiety treatment in Texas
Telehealth psychiatric care for adults — based in Austin, serving patients statewide.
Everyone feels worried sometimes. Anxiety becomes a clinical concern when worry, fear, or physical tension show up most days, feel hard to control, and start interfering with sleep, work, relationships, or how you move through the world. That can look like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety, or specific phobias — each with their own patterns, but all very treatable.
At Eki Mental Health we treat anxiety with both medication management (when it makes sense for you) and supportive therapy, in a way that takes your full context seriously — relationships, work, identity, racial stress, immigration history, and perinatal life stage all shape how anxiety shows up and what helps. You set the pace; we partner with you on a plan that fits your life.
Signs you may benefit from treatment
- Excessive or constant worry that is hard to turn off
- Restlessness or feeling on edge
- Racing thoughts, especially at night
- Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
- Muscle tension, jaw clenching, headaches
- Irritability or a short fuse
- Panic attacks (sudden waves of fear, racing heart, shortness of breath)
- Avoiding people, places, or situations that feel triggering
- Stomach upset, nausea, or other GI symptoms
- Fatigue or feeling drained without obvious cause
- Difficulty concentrating or going blank under pressure
- Feeling like something bad is about to happen
How Eki Mental Health PLLC treats anxiety
Dr. Etakibuebu starts with a thorough evaluation — your history, what you have already tried, what is happening in your life right now, and what your goals are. From there we build a plan together. When medication is appropriate, evidence-based first-line options are SSRIs and SNRIs, with non-stimulant choices considered if ADHD is part of the picture. Benzodiazepines are used short-term and conservatively, only when clinically indicated and within a clear treatment agreement (see our controlled substances policy).
Medication is one tool. We also draw on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to help you understand your patterns and build skills you can actually use. Pacing is yours to set — nothing is rushed, and nothing is started without your informed consent.
Treatment options
Medication options. When medication is part of the plan, we typically start with a first-line antidepressant that also treats anxiety. Common choices include:
- SSRIs such as sertraline (Zoloft) or escitalopram (Lexapro)
- SNRIs such as venlafaxine (Effexor XR) or duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- Propranolol for situational or performance anxiety
- Hydroxyzine as a non-controlled, as-needed option
- Short-term, conservatively prescribed benzodiazepines in select cases
Pharmacogenomic (genetic) testing is available on request if you have had unexpected side effects or limited response to past medications.
Therapy approaches. Supportive therapy in our visits often blends CBT, graded exposure for avoidance and panic, mindfulness, and somatic regulation skills (breath, grounding, nervous-system work). If you would benefit from weekly therapy in addition to medication management, we will help you find a great fit.
Lifestyle pillars. Sleep, regular movement, caffeine and alcohol use, stress load, and social connection all shape how anxiety feels day to day. We treat these as part of the plan, not an afterthought — small, sustainable changes often make medication work better and skills stick.
What to expect at your first visit
Your first visit is a 60–90 minute comprehensive evaluation. We review your history, current symptoms, prior medications and what worked or did not, family and medical background, and your goals for treatment. There is room to be thorough and to ask questions.
If medication is the right next step, we typically begin it at a follow-up visit (usually within 1–2 weeks). Controlled substances are not started at visit one — this is for your safety and is standard of care.
Optional: GeneSight pharmacogenomic testing
If you'd like, we can order GeneSight at your first visit — a simple cheek-swab genetic test that analyzes how your body metabolizes psychiatric medications and provides a clinician-facing report to guide prescribing.
Benefits:
- Reduces medication trial-and-error by predicting which medications you're likely to tolerate well
- Identifies medications you may metabolize too quickly (less effective) or too slowly (more side effects)
- Especially useful if you've had a hard time tolerating medications in the past or first-line options haven't worked
- Covers 60+ psychiatric medications — antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics, ADHD meds
- One-time test — your genes don't change, so results stay relevant for life and follow you to future prescribers
- Non-invasive cheek swab; results typically return within 2–3 days
Entirely optional — we only order it if you want it. Insurance coverage varies; we'll review cost and coverage with you before ordering.
Insurance & cost
In-network with Aetna and UnitedHealthcare / Optum; most insured patients pay $20–$60 per visit after benefits. Self-pay rates: $400 initial evaluation, $250 standard follow-up. Superbill provided for out-of-network reimbursement. Full pricing & insurance details →