Mind Over Matter · Newport Beach & California telehealth
Anxiety treatment in Newport Beach.
When worry keeps following you into work, relationships, and bedtime, it can be hard to switch off. Lori Vasquez, PMHNP-BC, offers psychiatric evaluations and medication management to help you understand what’s happening and build a plan that fits your life.
In-person visits by appointment · Telehealth throughout California
Meet Lori Vasquez, PMHNP-BC
Board-certified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner & founder of Mind Over Matter.
Get to know Lori- Understand your anxietyPatterns, triggers, and what’s changed
- Talk through your optionsTreatment guided by your needs
- Have a plan for follow-upReview progress and medication effects
When worry takes up too much room
You can be getting things done and still feel overwhelmed.
Maybe you rehearse conversations, expect the worst, or feel tense even when the day is going well. Anxiety can show up in your thoughts, your body, and the things you begin avoiding.
An evaluation can help when worry is persistent, difficult to manage, or affecting the way you want to live.
- Worry and overthinking that are hard to interrupt
- Panic episodes or fear of another attack
- Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
- Muscle tension, restlessness, or stomach discomfort
- Irritability or difficulty concentrating
- Avoiding situations because of fear or worry
Physical symptoms deserve attention, too. New or concerning symptoms should be medically assessed rather than assumed to be anxiety.
What brings people to care
Anxiety can take different forms.
We evaluate anxiety disorders and related concerns. You don’t need to arrive with a diagnosis; these are starting points for a conversation.
Generalized anxiety
Worry about several parts of life—work, health, family, or everyday decisions—that feels difficult to control.
Panic attacks & panic disorder
Sudden episodes of intense fear, worry about future attacks, or avoiding places where panic has happened.
Social & performance anxiety
Fear of being judged, speaking in front of others, meeting new people, or being the center of attention.
Health-related worry
Ongoing fear about illness or bodily sensations. We consider both the worry and any need for medical evaluation.
Anxiety with depression
Feeling worried or on edge alongside low mood, reduced motivation, or loss of enjoyment.
Stress & disrupted sleep
Racing thoughts at night, difficulty unwinding, or stress that is affecting rest and daily functioning.
Your first appointment and beyond
A clearer understanding. A practical plan.
We start with how anxiety affects your day and what you would like to be able to do more comfortably.
Map out the pattern
Talk through your worries, physical symptoms, triggers, sleep, and any situations you avoid. We also review when symptoms began and what you’ve already tried.
Explore contributing factors
We review medical history, medications, caffeine and substance use, and other mental health concerns. Further medical evaluation or coordination may be recommended when appropriate.
Make decisions together
Lori explains treatment options, expected benefits, possible side effects, and alternatives. Your preferences and questions are part of the decision.
Check what is changing
Follow-up visits review symptoms, daily functioning, and medication tolerability. We use that information to decide whether the plan needs adjusting.
Helpful to bring: Your current medication list, past treatment details, and a few examples of when anxiety gets in the way. Notes are welcome if talking about symptoms feels difficult.
Treatment built around your needs
Psychiatric care with room for questions.
Our care includes psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and brief supportive psychotherapy when appropriate.
Medication management
If medication is recommended, we consider your symptoms, health history, current medications, and previous experiences. Follow-up gives you a place to discuss benefits, side effects, and concerns.
Support and therapy coordination
Psychiatric visits may include brief supportive psychotherapy. We can also discuss treatment with a therapist, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and coordinate with your existing therapist with your permission.
Goals you can recognize
Your goals might include attending a meeting, sleeping more consistently, or spending less of the day caught in worry. We use what matters to you to guide the conversation about progress.
Location, telehealth & payment
Anxiety care in Orange County and across California.
Explore the appointment format and payment pathway that fit your needs.
Newport Beach appointments
In-person visits are available by appointment in Newport Beach, serving patients from nearby communities including Irvine and Costa Mesa.
Contact us for current in-person openings.
Explore in-person careCalifornia telehealth
Meet with Lori by video from a private space. You must be physically located in California during your appointment.
We’ll help determine whether telehealth is appropriate for your care.
Learn about telehealthPrivate pay & eligible insurance
Private-pay care is available. Eligible adults may use participating insurance plans through Headway; confirm coverage and costs before booking.
Patients under 18 are private-pay only.
Review current feesBefore you book
Questions about anxiety treatment
Starting care can bring questions of its own. Here is what to know about evaluations, medication, therapy, and next steps.
How do I know whether this is anxiety or everyday stress?
Consider an evaluation when worry feels persistent, difficult to control, or disruptive to sleep, work, relationships, or daily life. We look at the pattern, duration, and impact of your symptoms. You can seek help before you know whether they meet criteria for an anxiety disorder.
What are panic attacks, and when should I seek urgent help?
A panic attack is a sudden surge of intense fear or discomfort that may include a racing heart, trembling, dizziness, or trouble breathing. These symptoms can resemble a medical emergency. New or unfamiliar symptoms need medical assessment. For persistent chest pain, crushing chest pressure, chest pain with shortness of breath, or another possible medical emergency, call 911.
Learn more about panic disorder and chest pain that needs emergency care.
Can anxiety improve without medication?
Yes. Psychotherapy, including CBT, can help treat anxiety. Some people benefit from therapy, medication, or both. We discuss your preferences and can coordinate with a therapist. Sleep, movement, and stress-management habits may complement treatment.
What medications are used for anxiety?
Options may include SSRIs or SNRIs—medications also used for depression—or other medicines, depending on your symptoms and health history. Lori discusses expected benefits, potential side effects, and alternatives before you decide on a plan together.
What should I know about benzodiazepines?
These medicines carry risks including sedation, misuse, addiction, physical dependence, and withdrawal. Medication decisions require an individual assessment. If you already take a benzodiazepine, discuss changes with your prescriber rather than stopping suddenly. Read the FDA’s benzodiazepine safety information.
How soon might I feel better, and how long does treatment last?
Progress varies. Many medications used for ongoing anxiety take several weeks to start helping, and therapy skills develop with practice. The length of care depends on your symptoms, response, and goals. Follow-up helps us review progress and decide on next steps.
Can I keep seeing my current therapist?
Yes. Psychiatric evaluation and medication management can work alongside ongoing therapy. With your permission, we can communicate with your therapist about information relevant to your care.
Do you offer anxiety care for teens?
Lori works with teens and adults. Contact us to confirm whether our services fit your teen’s needs and to discuss the appointment process. Patients under 18 are private-pay only.
How do I schedule an anxiety evaluation?
Visit our appointment options page for private-pay and eligible insurance booking guidance. We offer in-person visits in Newport Beach and telehealth for patients located in California. Contact us for current availability.
Make room for a different kind of day.
Start with a conversation about what anxiety has been like for you. Explore care with Lori in Newport Beach or by telehealth in California.
You Don’t Have to Push Through Alone
If you’ve been feeling stuck, exhausted, or disconnected — help is available.
Appointments available within 24–48 hours.
In-person in Newport Beach. Telehealth across California.
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