Anxiety Disorder Treatment in Southlake, TX
Prime Behavioral Health is a licensed psychiatric practice providing board-certified care for Anxiety Disorder Treatment in Southlake, TX and the surrounding areas. Our practice is led by Dr. Vishal Shah, MD, Board Certified in Adult and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry with over five years of experience serving the Dallas-Fort Worth region, alongside four certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners. We accept most major insurance plans including Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield PPO, Optum, United Healthcare, and Cigna. Read verified patient reviews on Google. Telemedicine appointments are available for eligible patients. Call 817-778-8884 or schedule your new patient appointment online to begin.
Understanding Anxiety Disorders: More Than Everyday Worry
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions in the United States, affecting approximately 31% of adults at some point in their lives, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Yet they remain significantly underdiagnosed and undertreated. Anxiety disorders are not simply a personality trait or the normal stress that everyone experiences. They are clinical conditions in which fear and anxiety are persistent, disproportionate to the actual situation, and impair the person’s ability to function in relationships, work, school, or daily life.
The most common anxiety disorders include Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorder, and specific phobias. Many patients experience anxiety alongside depression, PTSD, ADHD, or OCD, all of which require simultaneous evaluation and treatment.
Recognizing Anxiety Disorder Symptoms
Anxiety disorder symptoms often extend beyond the recognizable feeling of being worried. Different types of anxiety disorders produce somewhat different symptom profiles:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder: persistent, difficult-to-control worry across multiple life areas, physical tension, fatigue, sleep disruption, and difficulty concentrating
- Panic Disorder: recurrent, unexpected panic attacks with racing heart, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, and intense fear of dying or losing control, along with persistent concern about future attacks
- Social Anxiety Disorder: intense fear of social or performance situations where scrutiny or embarrassment might occur, leading to avoidance that limits professional and personal life
- Anxious Depression: co-occurring anxiety and depression, the most common combined presentation, requiring treatment that addresses both conditions simultaneously
Physical symptoms including chest tightness, headaches, gastrointestinal problems, and muscle tension frequently accompany anxiety disorders and are sometimes mistaken for medical conditions before a psychiatric evaluation clarifies their origin.
How Anxiety Disorder Is Diagnosed at Prime Behavioral Health
Accurate diagnosis requires a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation conducted by a licensed clinician. At Prime Behavioral Health, evaluations review the nature and duration of anxiety symptoms, the degree to which they impair daily functioning, medical history, family psychiatric history, prior treatment attempts, and any co-occurring conditions. Standardized clinical rating tools and structured interviews provide the clinical foundation for diagnosis.
A thorough evaluation distinguishes between different anxiety disorder types and identifies whether anxiety co-occurs with depression or other conditions, because each combination requires a different treatment approach. Misidentifying anxiety type or missing co-occurring conditions leads to treatment strategies that address only part of the clinical picture.
Treatment Options for Anxiety Disorders at Prime Behavioral Health
Psychiatric Evaluation and Accurate Diagnosis
The foundation of all anxiety treatment is accurate diagnosis. Prime Behavioral Health provides comprehensive psychiatric evaluations that identify specific anxiety disorder types, assess severity, and evaluate co-occurring conditions that may require simultaneous treatment.
Medication Management
FDA-approved medications including SSRIs, SNRIs, and carefully selected adjunctive options are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Medication decisions are individualized based on the specific anxiety type, severity, medical history, and patient preference. Prime Behavioral Health’s psychiatric team actively monitors medication response, adjusts dosing as needed, and uses GeneSight pharmacogenomic testing when appropriate to reduce medication trial-and-error.
TMS Therapy for Anxious Depression
NeuroStar TMS therapy is FDA-cleared for adults with major depressive disorder with anxious features, and for anxious depression as an adjunct indication. TMS stimulates the prefrontal cortex, the brain region regulating both mood and the threat-detection pathways that drive anxiety, producing documented improvements in both conditions. For patients with treatment-resistant anxiety-depression who have not responded to multiple medications, TMS provides a non-medication option with clinical evidence for both components.
Therapy Referrals
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most evidence-supported psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. Prime Behavioral Health coordinates referrals to CBT therapists for patients who need psychotherapy as part of their treatment plan, and maintains coordination between psychiatric and therapeutic care.
Anxiety and the Dallas-Fort Worth Community
Residents of Southlake, Grapevine, Colleyville, Keller, Trophy Club, and surrounding DFW communities face the specific stress patterns of high-achieving, fast-paced North Texas suburban life. Academic pressure in high-performing school districts, demanding professional careers, and busy family schedules all contribute to anxiety conditions that may require more than self-help strategies to resolve. Prime Behavioral Health provides specialized psychiatric care for anxiety disorders within a community that understands these pressures. Telemedicine appointments are available for eligible patients who prefer the flexibility of virtual care.
Meet Our Providers
Dr. Vishal Shah, MD – Psychiatrist and Medical Director
Dr. Vishal Shah is a board-certified psychiatrist and Medical Director of Prime Behavioral Health. He earned undergraduate degrees in Genetics and Computer Science from Rutgers University and his Medical Doctorate from Saba University of Medicine, graduating with honors. Dr. Shah completed a three-year Adult Psychiatry Residency at Howard University Hospital and a two-year Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Akron Children’s Hospital. He is Board Certified in both Adult Psychiatry and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry and brings expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Motivational Interviewing, and crisis management.
Barbara Schoen Johnson, PhD, APRN, PMHNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Dr. Barbara Schoen Johnson holds a PhD in Nursing from Texas Woman’s University and is board certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She completed her PMHNP certification at the University of Texas at Arlington and served 16 years as a Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at Cook Children’s Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic. She has authored two nationally recognized psychiatric nursing textbooks, earned the AJN Book of the Year Award, and was named among the Great 100 Nurses of Dallas-Fort Worth.
Mariah Mathews, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Mariah Mathews is board certified in Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatric Nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Eastern Kentucky University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She brings seven years of pediatric RN experience from Children’s Health Dallas and completed clinical rotations at UT Southwestern Outpatient Adult Psychiatry and Children’s Health Plano.
Keri Kendall, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Keri Kendall is board certified in Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatric Nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and holds a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington. Prior to her psychiatric specialization, she practiced as a cardiac nurse and a school nurse. She is committed to helping each patient develop a clear path toward long-term mental health and daily wellness.
Pragya Pathak, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-C – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Pragya Pathak is a Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner by both the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the State of Texas. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington (2025) and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Woman’s University (2016). She brings over eight years of psychiatric inpatient nursing experience from UT Southwestern Medical Center and completed clinical rotations in outpatient psychiatry and the ECT Service.
View full provider credentials and bios
Why Choose Prime Behavioral Health
| What We Offer | What It Means for You |
| Board-Certified Psychiatrist (Dr. Shah, MD) | Physician-led care with dual board certification in adult and child/adolescent psychiatry |
| 4 Licensed Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners | Multidisciplinary team with broad availability across all age groups |
| FDA-Approved NeuroStar TMS Therapy | Clinically proven non-medication depression treatment with documented 12-month results |
| TMS Approved for Ages 15 and Older | Qualifying teens access the same advanced treatment as adults |
| Major Insurance Accepted | Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield PPO, Optum, United Healthcare, Cigna |
| Telemedicine Available | Virtual follow-ups reduce travel for busy families and professionals |
| Full Lifespan Psychiatric Care | Children, adolescents, and adults all served under one practice |
| GeneSight DNA Testing Available | Genetic guidance to reduce medication trial-and-error |
| 5+ Years Serving DFW | Established psychiatric practice with deep North Texas community roots |
Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety Disorder Treatment in Southlake, TX
What is an anxiety disorder and how is it different from everyday worry?
Anxiety disorders are clinical mental health conditions in which anxiety is persistent, disproportionate to the situation, and significantly impairs daily functioning. Everyday worry is typically short-lived and tied to a specific stressor. An anxiety disorder produces anxiety that is difficult to control, present most days, lasts for six months or longer, and disrupts work, relationships, school, or sleep. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the United States, affecting approximately 31% of adults at some point in their lives.
What types of anxiety disorders does Prime Behavioral Health treat?
Prime Behavioral Health evaluates and treats Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorder, and anxiety disorders co-occurring with depression, PTSD, OCD, or ADHD. A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation determines which specific diagnosis or combination of diagnoses applies to each patient and guides the most targeted treatment approach.
What are the most common symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder symptoms include persistent, difficult-to-control worry across multiple areas of life, restlessness or feeling on edge, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance, primarily difficulty falling or staying asleep. These symptoms must be present most days for at least six months and cause meaningful impairment in daily life to meet diagnostic criteria for GAD.
What does a panic attack feel like and how is it different from general anxiety?
A panic attack is a sudden surge of intense fear or discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes and includes physical symptoms such as racing heart, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, numbness, or a sense of unreality or detachment. Panic attacks can occur unexpectedly or in response to a trigger. Panic Disorder is diagnosed when a person experiences recurrent unexpected panic attacks and develops persistent concern about future attacks or changes their behavior to avoid situations they associate with attacks.
Can anxiety disorder cause physical symptoms?
Yes. Anxiety disorders frequently produce physical symptoms including headaches, muscle tension, chest tightness, rapid heart rate, gastrointestinal disturbance, shortness of breath, trembling, sweating, and fatigue. These symptoms arise from the nervous system’s physiological response to perceived threat. When physical symptoms occur without a clear medical cause and are accompanied by persistent worry or fear, a psychiatric evaluation helps identify whether anxiety is the underlying driver.
How is anxiety disorder diagnosed at Prime Behavioral Health?
Diagnosis involves a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation that reviews your symptom history, the duration and severity of anxiety, how anxiety affects your daily functioning, medical history, family psychiatric history, and any prior treatment attempts. Providers use structured clinical interviews and validated rating tools to differentiate between specific anxiety disorders and to identify any co-occurring conditions such as depression, PTSD, or ADHD that may require simultaneous treatment.
What treatment options are available for anxiety disorder at Prime Behavioral Health?
Treatment options include medication management using FDA-approved options such as SSRIs, SNRIs, and other carefully selected medications; referrals for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based psychotherapy; and coordinated care for patients whose anxiety co-occurs with treatment-resistant depression, for whom TMS therapy may address both conditions. Treatment plans are individualized and may combine multiple approaches based on each patient’s clinical picture.
Is medication always required for treating an anxiety disorder?
No. Some patients achieve meaningful improvement through psychotherapy alone, particularly CBT, which has strong clinical evidence for anxiety disorders. For moderate to severe anxiety, or when anxiety significantly impairs daily functioning, medication is often recommended as part of a combined approach. A psychiatrist evaluates severity, symptom type, and treatment history before recommending a treatment path. Decisions about medication are always made collaboratively with the patient.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and how does it help anxiety?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps patients identify and change the thought patterns and behavioral responses that maintain anxiety. For anxiety disorders, CBT typically involves cognitive restructuring to challenge catastrophic thinking, behavioral experiments to test feared predictions, and graded exposure to feared situations to reduce avoidance. Multiple meta-analyses confirm CBT as the most evidence-supported non-medication intervention for anxiety disorders across all subtypes.
Can anxiety disorder and depression occur at the same time?
Yes. Co-occurring anxiety and depression is common, affecting approximately 50 to 60% of people with either condition. Shared neurological pathways, particularly in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, underlie both conditions. When both are present, treatment must address both simultaneously. Prime Behavioral Health evaluates the full clinical picture and designs treatment plans that target both anxiety and depression rather than treating only the more visible symptom.
Is TMS therapy used for anxiety disorder?
NeuroStar TMS therapy has FDA clearance for major depressive disorder with anxious features, which is among the most common presentations of the two conditions together. TMS stimulates the prefrontal cortex, the brain region that regulates both mood and the threat-detection pathways that drive anxiety, producing documented improvements in both depression and co-occurring anxiety symptoms. For patients with treatment-resistant depression and significant anxiety, TMS therapy is a clinically validated non-medication option.
Does Prime Behavioral Health treat anxiety disorders in teenagers?
Yes. Prime Behavioral Health provides psychiatric evaluation and treatment for anxiety disorders in adolescents and children. Anxiety in teenagers often presents differently than in adults, frequently appearing through school avoidance, somatic complaints, irritability, and difficulty with transitions. Barbara Schoen Johnson, PhD, APRN, PMHNP, brings 16 years of pediatric psychiatric nursing experience specifically relevant to anxiety in children and adolescents.
Can anxiety disorder cause sleep problems?
Yes. Insomnia is one of the most prevalent secondary effects of anxiety disorders. Difficulty falling asleep due to racing thoughts, frequent nighttime awakening, and early morning waking are all common in anxiety. Sleep deprivation then worsens anxiety the next day, creating a self-reinforcing cycle. Treating the underlying anxiety disorder typically produces meaningful improvements in sleep, though targeted sleep interventions are sometimes needed concurrently.
How long does treatment for an anxiety disorder typically take?
Treatment timelines vary depending on the anxiety disorder type, severity, and treatment approach. Many patients who complete a full CBT course of 12 to 20 sessions notice significant improvement. Medication often produces initial benefit within four to six weeks at a therapeutic dose, with continued improvement over three to six months. Long-term management is common for more severe anxiety disorders, with the goal being functional improvement and lasting skill development rather than just temporary symptom suppression.
Can anxiety disorder improve without medication?
For mild to moderate anxiety disorders, non-medication approaches including CBT, exercise, sleep optimization, and structured lifestyle interventions can produce meaningful improvements. For more severe presentations or when anxiety significantly impairs functioning, medication is typically part of the treatment plan. The most effective approach for most patients combines evidence-based psychotherapy with psychiatric oversight, whether or not medication is included.
What is Social Anxiety Disorder and how is it treated?
Social Anxiety Disorder is a persistent fear of social situations in which a person may be scrutinized, embarrassed, or humiliated by others. It goes beyond shyness and produces avoidance of social and professional situations that limits career, relationships, and quality of life. Treatment typically includes CBT with exposure components targeting feared social situations, and may include medication such as SSRIs or beta-blockers for specific situations. A psychiatric evaluation confirms whether the anxiety is Social Anxiety Disorder or involves another co-occurring condition.
How do I know if I should see a psychiatrist for my anxiety?
Psychiatric evaluation is warranted when anxiety has persisted for several weeks despite self-help efforts, when anxiety significantly interferes with work, relationships, or daily functioning, when anxiety includes panic attacks or severe physical symptoms, when prior therapy alone has not produced adequate improvement, or when anxiety co-occurs with depression or another psychiatric condition. A psychiatrist provides the comprehensive evaluation needed to identify what is driving your anxiety and what treatment will most effectively address it.
Does Prime Behavioral Health accept insurance for anxiety disorder treatment?
Yes. Prime Behavioral Health accepts Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield PPO, Optum, United Healthcare, and Cigna for psychiatric evaluation and treatment. Benefits are reviewed before treatment begins so patients understand their specific coverage. Call 817-778-8884 or visit the fee schedule page for additional information.
Can anxiety disorder cause chest pain and be mistaken for a heart problem?
Yes. Chest tightness, rapid heart rate, and difficulty breathing during anxiety or panic attacks frequently lead patients to the emergency room concerned about cardiac events. While ruling out medical causes is always appropriate, anxiety and panic disorder are among the most common causes of chest pain without a cardiac origin. A psychiatric evaluation helps identify whether anxiety is the primary driver of chest symptoms.
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a therapist for anxiety treatment?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medications, order medical tests, and manage complex mental health conditions. A therapist provides psychotherapy such as CBT but cannot prescribe medication in Texas. Both play important roles in anxiety treatment. Prime Behavioral Health provides psychiatric evaluation and medication management, and coordinates referrals to CBT therapists when psychotherapy is part of the recommended treatment plan.
Can anxiety disorder worsen over time if left untreated?
Yes. Untreated anxiety disorders typically do not resolve on their own and often progress in severity. Avoidance behaviors that develop as coping strategies for anxiety tend to reinforce and expand the anxiety over time. Co-occurring depression becomes more likely with chronically untreated anxiety. Early evaluation and treatment produce better outcomes than waiting for symptoms to become severe enough to force intervention.
Are telemedicine appointments available for anxiety treatment?
Yes. Prime Behavioral Health offers telemedicine psychiatric appointments for eligible patients for medication management, follow-up visits, and ongoing anxiety treatment support. Initial evaluations are available both in-person and via telemedicine. Telemedicine is particularly convenient for patients whose anxiety affects their comfort with travel or in-person appointments.
Does exercise help reduce anxiety symptoms?
Yes. Regular aerobic exercise reduces cortisol levels, the primary stress hormone elevated in anxiety, and increases endorphin and serotonin availability. Research shows aerobic exercise reduces generalized anxiety symptoms by approximately 30 to 40%. Exercise does not replace psychiatric treatment for clinical anxiety disorders but is an effective adjunct that most psychiatrists recommend as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Can diet and nutrition affect anxiety disorders?
Certain dietary patterns influence anxiety symptoms. Caffeine elevates cortisol and can trigger or worsen panic attacks and generalized anxiety. Blood sugar instability from skipped meals amplifies irritability and anxiety. Omega-3 fatty acids have modest research support for reducing anxiety symptoms. Gut health influences neurotransmitter production in ways that affect mood and anxiety. Dietary modifications are adjunctive to but do not replace clinical treatment for anxiety disorders.
How do I get started with anxiety treatment at Prime Behavioral Health?
Call 817-778-8884 or complete the online appointment request form at primebehavioralhealth.com. No referral is required. Your first appointment is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation lasting approximately 60 to 90 minutes, during which your provider reviews your symptoms, history, and treatment goals and discusses a personalized treatment plan. Prime Behavioral Health accepts most major insurance plans and verifies coverage before your appointment.
Areas We Serve
Prime Behavioral Health serves patients from Southlake and throughout the greater Dallas-Fort Worth region, including:
- Grapevine, TX
- Colleyville, TX
- Keller, TX
- Fort Worth, TX
- Trophy Club, TX
- Flower Mound, TX
- Hurst, TX
- Denton, TX
- Dallas, TX
- View all service areas
Get Anxiety Disorder Treatment Care at Prime Behavioral Health
If you or a family member in Southlake, Colleyville, Grapevine, Keller, Trophy Club, or the greater Dallas-Fort Worth region is struggling with anxiety disorder treatment, Prime Behavioral Health is ready to help. Our board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Vishal Shah, MD, and licensed psychiatric team have over five years of experience providing comprehensive psychiatric care for anxiety disorder treatment. We accept Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield PPO, Optum, United Healthcare, and Cigna, and offer telemedicine appointments for added convenience. Read our verified patient reviews on Google, then schedule your new patient evaluation online or call Prime Behavioral Health at 817-778-8884.