First, psychologists don't prescribe or recommend medications, psychiatrists do. Psychologists do talk therapy, and given you say anxiety is just starting to rear up, you might want to try therapy before medication because therapy can cure the problem and medication can only tamp down the symptoms. Second, nobody can tell you that you have to take any particular med. That's up to you. They can recommend, but can't force it on you. If you decide you need medication, if it were me, and it isn't, I'd go back to what worked before, which is the Lexapro. I wouldn't necessarily add the Xanax unless you need it on an occasional basis, but nobody lives an anxiety free life so again, the question whenever medication is considered is how badly is it disrupting your life? If really badly, medication is usually necessary because therapy takes time. If you're functioning but having some anxiety then all medication can be a problem so as with any invasive medical procedure, you do it when you have to. You know better than we do how badly this is affecting you. I would ask, is it covid? We're all stressed right now, and if you work with students, that's got to be even more stressful right now. As for Paxil, I would only use Paxil or Effexor if every other option has been exhausted. They are notoriously difficult to take and even more difficult to stop taking, so save those for if nothing else works. And again, if you have a doctor and they say you have to take any medication and only that medication when there are many options available, you should probably find a different doctor who will discuss different options with you. Peace.
It really depends on what level your anxiety is. Mine is where I pass out, can't breath, and have a seizure. I had to have mood stabilizers. Just ask your physciatrist.