Eliminating Anxiety and Panic with Rapid Resolution Therapy

By John Smith, Ph.D., LCSW
Certified Practitioner, Rapid Resolution Therapy

One of the most common problems faced by many people is anxiety. Many people with anxiety also experience what are called "panic" attacks. This is where the anxiety becomes so severe that the person literally thinks that they are dying or that something is seriously wrong with them. They often wind up in an emergency room or seeking medical treatment. The usual treatment for anxiety is for the physician to prescribe medications to treat the symptoms. The most common medications used for treating anxiety are the benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, or others). SSRI anti-depressants are also prescribed. These medications often provide some symptom relief, but in the case of benzodiazepines they can become habit forming and may require increasingly higher dosages to achieve the desired effects. For many years I have treated people with anxiety related disorders. The most common therapy for treating these problems has been Cognitive-Behavioral therapy. This approach has been somewhat effective and is the most common approach used by psychotherapists.

Over the past few years I have begun to use a new approach to treatment called Rapid Resolution Therapy, This approach, developed by Dr. Jon Connelly, is quite different than other forms of therapy, which may explain why it is so effective. With this approach the person learns how to eliminate the physical sensations caused from the anxiety response, thus disabling them. Common physical sensations associated with anxiety are: rapid heartbeat and breathing, light headedness, tingling, fainting, tension, nausea, numbness, to name a few. The person learns to recognize these sensations and eliminate them before they become too intense. After only 1 to 3 sessions, most clients have reported that their anxiety has drastically diminished and/or completely disappeared. Panic attacks actually disappear and are no longer problematic. All of this is done without medication. In fact, most of my clients report that they no longer need to rely on their anti-anxiety medications. (Note: please do not stop taking medications without your physician's advice).

I recently saw a client who had been suffering from debilitating anxiety and panic attacks. She had been to several therapists and doctors over the years and found little relief from her symptoms. She came to me desperate and feeling hopeless that her problems could be treated successfully. By the time she got to me she had become homebound and was unable to work. She had become isolated and the problems had caused friends and family to avoid her. She was skeptical that anything would work and saw herself being a recluse and invalid for the rest of her life.

{ "So, I am not crazy?" }

Upon meeting this woman I intently listened to her about her problems and began to explain to her how the mind works. She immediately perked up and became interested. "I never thought of it that way," she said. I also explained that anxiety is "fear of the fear response". For example, if one steps out into the street in front of an oncoming car their mind will immediately cause their body to become "supercharged" and cause her to jump out of the way. Her heart will pound, she will shake, and her breathing will increase. When she is safe her mind will cause her body to return to normal. Anxiety is when the mind causes the body to do the same thing, but what the person is noticing are the physical sensations caused from the fear response. Thinking that something is wrong will increase these sensations because the mind perceives a threatening situation. The normal fear response becomes the threat.

I taught the client how to decrease and eliminate these physical sensations, giving her a sense of control over her body and easing her mind. "So I am not crazy," she said. I laughed and told her that she wasn't.

It has been a few months since that session and the client reports that she has not had any further panic attacks and that her anxiety has diminished. She feels in control again and has begun to reconnect with friends and family.

Another Rapid Resolution Therapy success!

Dr. Smith is a California licensed psychotherapist with a doctorate in psychology and addictions as well as a Master's degree in social work. He is a Certified Practitioner in Rapid Trauma Resolution Therapy and the first psychotherapist to be certified in this new approach in southern California. He maintains an active private practice in the Los Angeles area, and he is also a professor of alcohol and drug counseling at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, CA. For more information on Dr. Smith or to follow his blog, please visit johnsmithphd.com.

Recognizing Our RRT Practitioners!

By Tara Dickherber, M.Ed, LPC

Certified Practitioner, Rapid Resolution Therapy

This summer I have been fortunate enough to assist Dr. Jon Connelly with several trainings. In doing so I have had a chance to meet so many great therapists and catch up with many of my RRT buddies. I just wanted to take the opportunity to remind our newsletter readers of the many great things going on with some of our RRT therapists.

First let me revisit Dr. Sharon Richie-Melvan and Dr. Diane Vines' book Angel Walk. This book is written about the men and women who fought for the lives of our wounded soldiers, the effects war has had on all, and how those effects can be treated; of course Rapid Resolution Therapy is noted in this book since both Sharon and Diane are RRT Certified Practitioners.

Currently I am reading Courtney Armstrong, M.Ed, LPC's book "Transforming Traumatic Grief Six Steps to Move From Grief to Peace After the Sudden or Violent Death of A Loved One." Again RRT is weaved throughout this book. I just can't help but be amazed by our RRT authors. And I know there are other RRT therapists out there writing books, soon to be published!

Also let's not forget how Mark A Chidley, LMHC, CAP and Courtney Armstrong, M.Ed, LPC have been on radio stations around the country lately taking about a variety of topics, too many to name each one. And last, but certainly not least Dr. Sharon Richie-Melvan and Dr. John Smith are actively seeking pro-bono work for our veterans.

I'm just really excited for all the amazing stuff going on, and I'm honored to know these people and be able to call them my friends!

Be well, Be happy - Tara

Tara S. Dickherber, M.Ed, LPC

Certified Rapid Resolution Therapist

573-754-0348

2081 Collier Corporate Parkway

St. Charles, MO 63303

www.mylifecoachtara.com

IRRT May 2011 Newsletter!

The Institute for Rapid Resolution Therapy's May 2011 Newsletter came out today! In this month's newsletter, Master Practitioner Melinda Paige wrote a wonderful article on the "The Art of Transforming Traumatic Grief." Also featured are Certified Practioners Tara Dickherber and John Smith. Click here to read the full newsletter and to sign-up to receive next month's newsletter.

Happy reading!