Panic and avoidance are often connected, especially when we have had a recent traumatic experience. When a trauma occurs, we can sometimes associate the fear we now have with the sensory information we experienced during the trauma. Maybe it’s the ticking of a clock in a moment of silence, a feeling of blood rushing to our head, or the smell of cigarettes. We might then realize that these sensations do not feel safe, remind us of the trauma, and must be avoided. That “must” is important - it cues us into the panic, the rule making that we latch onto when we want to feel safe.

So then a connection is formed, between the feeling of panic when a trigger is present, and the beginning of avoidance. This connection can be a tangled web if we’ve been avoiding triggers or fears for a long time. One thing is important to remember - this was our way of staying safe. It made sense to us at one point. Often times we come to therapy to pull apart this web, and detangle the connection we have made between avoidance and panic.

We can take therapy as slow as you’d like, because exposure is directed by you. Yes I may attempt to understand where the avoidance comes from, but I never want our sessions to feel like an interrogation. When we notice avoidance, we can approach it with curiosity and wonder where the panic lives, and how they are interconnected.

There are many treatments out there that all target the relationship between avoidance and panic: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention, Inference-Based CBT, Internal Family Systems, Somatic Experiencing, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and more.

I am trained in multiple evidence-based treatments including Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Narrative Exposure Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Beyond all of this clinical lingo is this:

The treatment involves being curious about what your relationship to panic is, identifying the triggers that led you to avoidance in the first place, and create a list of things you feel like you could reasonably attempt to start re-integrating into your life. We go at your pace - with your full and repeated consent.

We also make room for grief as it can feel overwhelming to readjust and lose the feeling of safety you once relied on. During treatment, you may feel a newfound sense of accomplishment that you are now able to manage what once was panic-inducing. We will work together to continue to build up your tolerance for panic while pursuing a life that feels meaningful.