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About The Anxiety Treatment Center
The Anxiety Treatment Center, Inc. is located in Sacramento, California and specializes in treating anxiety and related disorders. We provide individualized treatment plans recognizing that symptoms can vary from person to person, and also in the intensity, and impact on one's life. We believe in an integrative approach looking at the role of biological, medical, psychological and social aspects of these disorders. We provide exceptionally knowledgeable and experienced staff who are compassionate and sensitive to each individual's needs, offering treatment services to children, adolescents, and adults.
Our Therapeutic Approach
We use Exposure and Ritual Prevention (ERP) techniques, which are based in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). While this outcome can be enhanced with the implementation of medications, we have found that many people benefit from therapy alone. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has two components. First, it helps to change thinking patterns (cognitions) that have prevented individuals from overcoming their fears. And second, the behavioral component helps individuals to slowly come in contact with their fears. This is done through Exposure and Ritual Prevention Therapy (ERP) and is designed to systematically desensitize one to their fears. This treatment is exceptionally effective and produces remarkable results, allowing individuals to learn that they can successfully face their fears. Repeatedly facing one's fears and learning to manage the uncomfortable feelings and thoughts associated with these fears allows the anxiety to gradually fade away. Situations in which the fears may have caused anxiety that was paralyzing can become manageable. The person learns he can choose to "flee" or "fight", and what was once a "flight" response may become nothing more than an acknowledgement of the fear.
Our Staff
Dr. Robin Zasio, Psy. D., LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has been specializing in treating anxiety and related disorders for the past 14 years utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Exposure and Response Prevention techniques. After developing a thriving private practice, she developed The Anxiety Treatment Center, Inc. in 2005, and more recently, The Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center, both located in Sacramento, CA, which she currently owns and directs. Dr. Zasio continues to maintain her private practice providing individual, group and family therapy services, in addition to supervising interns who are learning to treat anxiety conditions. Dr. Zasio was the President of the Sacramento Valley Psychological Association from 2003-2005 and currently remains on the board as the Continuing Education Chair and Media Representative. Dr. Zasio also serves on the Scientific Advisory Board, Clinical Advisory Board, and the Speakers Bureau for the International OCD Foundation, and is on the Advisory Board for the Sacramento Chapter of the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill where she writes a “Doctor’s Column” for their monthly newsletter. She is a member of the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Foundation, American Psychological Association, Trichotillomania Learning Center, and Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. Finally, Dr. Zasio is a featured doctor on the A &E hit series "Hoarders, currently filming their third season.
Jason Murphey, Psy.D. began his career in the mental health field in 2002 as a behavior therapist to children with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders. He earned a masters degree in psychology in 2005, and in 2008 he received his doctorate in clinical psychology with an emphasis in diversity and cultural issues from Phillips Graduate Institute in Los Angeles. Dr. Murphey’s broad clinical experiences include providing psychological services, including psychotherapy and psychological testing and assessment, to hospital inpatients with addiction, impulsivity, and other severe chronic disorders; individuals, couples, and families in community mental health settings; and college students in a university counseling center. In 2010 he completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at Summit Eating Disorders and Outreach Program, where he specialized in treating men, women, and adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and associated psychological and health-related issues. Dr. Murphey is a member of the American Psychological Association and the California Psychological Association.
Ann Clark, ASW earned her Masters in Social Work in 2005 from California State University, Sacramento and is near completion of hours needed for licensure. In addition to working at the Anxiety Treatment Center, Ann trained at and is currently employed by California State University, Sacramento Psychological Counseling Services Center where she conducts individual and group psychotherapy. For the past 4 years, Ann has treated a diverse student population with a variety of issues including the full spectrum of anxiety disorders. Additionally, she has completed beginning training on Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and presents annually on this topic. Prior to graduate school Ann worked in the non-profit sector on issues ranging from homelessness to child welfare. Ann’s primary areas of interest include anxiety, depression, trauma, diversity, and relationship issues. She is a member of the National Association for Social Workers and The Society for Clinical Social Work.
Katie Polsky, Ph.D. is a licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in the treatment of Anxiety Disorders, Eating Disorders, and trauma. Most recently she served as Clinical Director of New Dawn Eating Disorder Recovery Center working with men, women, adolescents, and children with Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating Disorder and co-occuring disorders such as OCD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Body Dysmorphia, and Depression. She successfully launched their residential treatment program for adult women in San Francisco. Dr. Polsky has over a decade of experience in treating individuals at all levels of care including: residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programs. She also has worked on college campuses with students treating them for a variety of psychiatric disorders including anxiety, depression, phobias including public speaking and fear of flying, and has conducted stress reduction/relaxation workshops and groups. She maintains a private practice in Sacramento where she enjoys working with individuals, couples, families, and running groups. Dr. Polsky is a member of the American Psychological Association, American Group Psychological Assocation, Northern California Group Psychological Association, and Sacramento Valley Psychological Association.
Jeff Bell is an author, radio personality, and motivational speaker. His new book, Rewind, Replay, Repeat: A Memoir of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Hazelden), recounts his long-secret battles with severe OCD and the elaborate double-life the disorder forced him to lead—as a successful news anchor secretly consumed by endless checking, washing, and other rituals—before getting the CBT help that he needed. Jeff is actively involved with the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation—for which he recently served as a keynote speaker—and Mental Health America’s Real Lives Campaign—for which he serves as national spokesperson. He is a 2007 recipient of MHA’s prestigious forWARDS Award for "moving the cause of mental health forward." Jeff is committed to helping other OCs tackle CBT therapy, and to that end, has developed what he calls a "Greater Good" motivational framework, based on his own recovery experience. Jeff can be heard weekday afternoons on KCBS Radio (740 AM).
Beverly Abramowitz, MD specializes in the treatment of children and adolescents, primarily in the areas of medication management and psychodynamic psychotherapy. She works from a "biopsychosocial" model so that she can fully and thoughtfully consider every aspect of a child's life--"the whole child"-- before deciding on a treatment plan. She believes that medication is just one part of treatment, one that goes hand-in-hand with regular, consistent psychotherapy. "Dr. Bev" received her teaching credential in math, Spanish, biology and elementary school education from the University of Southern California and worked as a teacher at both the elementary school and high school levels for over ten years before she entered UC Davis Medical School. She did her residency in general psychiatry at San Mateo County General Hospital and then returned to UC Davis Medical Center to complete a Fellowship in Child and Adolescent psychiatry in 2001. Since then she has maintained her own private practice and worked as a consulting psychiatrist at Placer County Mental Health as well as at various other family service agencies in Sacramento County including Terkensha, Turning Point Community Services and Visions Unlimited. She is a member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Mitchell Galerkin, MD specializes in psychiatry, primarily in the area of medication management and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. He received his BA in Molecular Biology at the University of California at Berkeley, and his MD at the University of Oklahoma. In 1988 he completed an internship at the University of California at Davis Medical Center, and in 1992 his Residency in Psychiatry also at the University of California at Davis Medical Center. Between 1989 and 1992, he worked as an “on-call” physician at the Sacramento County Jail Psychiatric Services, and also as a Contract Provider for Conservatorship Evaluations at the Sacramento County Conservator’s Office. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and a member of the American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, and Central California Psychiatric Society.
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