The evaluation process
Anxiety is the most common adult psychiatric concern we see — and one of the most under-treated. A lot of patients arrive having been on a benzodiazepine for years, or after years of trying to "just deal with it," or wondering whether their primary care doctor's recommendation to try an SSRI was the right call. Our job is to take a careful look and give you a real answer.
A full unhurried intake covers a structured DSM-5 symptom review, the GAD-7 for baseline severity, screening for conditions that often co-occur with or look like anxiety (depression, ADHD, trauma history, sleep disorders, thyroid dysfunction, substance use), and a careful look at what's already been tried.
A treatment plan is discussed before you leave. We favor sustainable strategies — SSRIs and CBT skills — over long-term benzodiazepine use, and we'll be honest with you about the trade-offs of every option. Follow-up cadence matches your clinical state.
Treatment approach
Most adult anxiety responds well to a combination of medication and behavioral skills. We prescribe across the major medication classes used for anxiety:
- SSRIs: Sertraline, escitalopram, paroxetine, fluoxetine, citalopram — first-line for most generalized anxiety, panic, and social anxiety
- SNRIs: Venlafaxine, duloxetine — useful when somatic anxiety symptoms (muscle tension, pain) are prominent
- Buspirone: A non-sedating option for chronic anxiety without the dependence risk of benzodiazepines
- Beta-blockers: Propranolol for performance-anxiety contexts
- Benzodiazepines: Used sparingly, with informed-consent conversations about tolerance, dependence, cognitive effects, and discontinuation
We coordinate closely with CBT-trained therapists when therapy is part of the plan — and we'll help you find one if you don't already have one.
Serving Lincoln City and Lincoln County
Lincoln City sits in the central Oregon coast, served by US 101 and OR 18. We see adults from Lincoln City as well as Depoe Bay, Otis, Gleneden Beach, Pacific City, Neskowin, and Newport (south) — mostly by secure-video telehealth. Our patient base in the area skews toward hospitality and tourism workers, healthcare staff, retirees, and remote workers who chose the coast.
Lincoln City is well-suited to telehealth — our nearest in-person offices (Salem, Newberg, and Vancouver, WA) are a longer drive, and most patients in Lincoln County find that secure-video visits work just as well as being in the room.
Coordination with primary care is routine. We send a visit summary to your PCP at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital (or your independent provider) within one business day when you request it.
Insurance & self-pay
We are in-network with ten major plans: Moda, PacificSource, Regence BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna / Evernorth, Aetna, Providence, MultiPlan / Claritev, First Health, First Choice, and Optum. Most Lincoln City patients pay a specialist copay ($20–$60 typical) per visit.
We do not accept Medicaid or Oregon Health Plan (OHP). Self-pay rates are available by phone. Superbills available for out-of-network reimbursement. Good Faith Estimates provided before your first visit.
Frequently asked questions
How do I start anxiety treatment in Lincoln City?
Book a new-patient telehealth visit online or by phone. Most patients are seen within about a week. The first visit is a comprehensive evaluation; if medication is appropriate, we typically start that day or within a few days.
Will you prescribe benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin)?
Sometimes — but we use them sparingly and with informed-consent conversations about tolerance, dependence, cognitive effects, and discontinuation. For most chronic anxiety, an SSRI plus CBT skills is more sustainable. We do not prescribe benzodiazepines as a first-line, long-term treatment.
Do you treat panic attacks?
Yes. Panic disorder responds well to SSRIs (often within 4–6 weeks), CBT for panic, and short-term symptom-targeted strategies. We treat panic with a clear medication plan and explicit between-visit goals.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes — we are in-network with Moda, PacificSource, Regence BCBS, Cigna / Evernorth, Aetna, Providence, MultiPlan / Claritev, First Health, First Choice, and Optum. Medicaid and Oregon Health Plan are not accepted.