Anxiety Relief

I now have the coping techniques to avoid panic and relax instead.
Before starting anxiety treatment some days blurred together like one big long panic attack. I couldn’t think straight and felt like I was in a fog most of the time. Sometimes I thought I was having a heart attack. I thought I would never be able to function well in social situations again. I would worry about having a panic attack and that created more panic. I finally found relief by coming to Anxiety Treatment Services. After just ten weeks I can now recognize when I am tensing up and creating worry and use the tools I have gotten to relax and let go of it. Now the thought of a panic attack is not a scary thing. I have the coping techniques to avoid panic and relax instead. I used to turn to medication for relief, now I look forward to deep breathing because I know it will relax me and help me slow down. I feel more freedom and enjoy going out to dinner, to school functions and talking to customers – something I thought I wouldn’t be able to do. I know a lot of people are ashamed of panic attacks. I was. I want people to know it is nothing to be ashamed of and it’s O.K. to get help. J.S.

I am flying again.
Thank you Dr. Dufford. I am flying again. All the positive thinking, meditation, and airport visits helped greatly. I will continue to learn how to relax, but all is on a healthy path now. K.P.

18 year phobia of choking. After 3 sessions I eat anything I want
For 18 years I had anxiety especially a phobia of choking. I stopped eating normal food, only ate soft food, avoided restaurants and sometimes wouldn’t eat all out of fear. It affected my family and the way I lived. After three session with Dr. Dufford I haven’t had any panic, I am relaxed in crowds, I eat comfortably in restaurants and eat anything I want without thinking about it. I shouldn’t have waited so long to get the proper type of help for my problem. J.A.

Now I only check things once …
I was checking everything, before going to bed, burners, oven, doors, etc. It took two hours to check things - getting to bed at 3:00 a.m. I used your CD for OCD plus being in therapy . Now I only check things once, if that, and go straight to bed. It’s five to ten minutes tops to check pre-bed. I’m getting much more sleep now! B.K.

I was very shy... I am talking more, leading meetings, I don’t stutter ...
I was very shy and afraid to talk to people, afraid to talk at work, afraid I’d say the wrong thing. It’s been less than three months since starting therapy and now I am talking more, starting conversations with people at work and when I’m out. I am leading meetings at work now and talking comfortably with clients. I’ve noticed I don’t stutter any more either. I wouldn’t be where I am right now if it wasn’t for you. Thank you Dr. Dufford. L.L.

Had a nice flight…no pre-anxiety like always had.
I did another trip to Hawaii and back and just got back last night. I did really good.! It really helps me- the CD you made for me. That’s the key for me. I listen to that CD all the time and that helps me. Every time I have to make a trip I start listening to my CD. I seem to do really well. I did have a nice flight with no pre-anxiety like I always had. So thanks Dr. T.J.

I don’t live in fear anymore from PTSD. Thank you. You are rare.
With doing EMDR therapy for PTSD for the first time in my life I’m being set free. I don’t have to live in fear anymore. I’m able to sleep more normally. I haven’t done that in over 20 years. I wish everyone in the world would know about you. Dr. I want to thank you. You are rare. R.S.

After beginning therapy I began to sleep well…it feels like a miracle
I am very grateful. I took a leap seeing you for therapy. My M.D. sent me to a Psychiatrist who prescribed Ambien and Sonata. Then I saw his wife, and LCSW who prepared some relaxing tapes for me. Nothing changed for me. I could only sleep 3 to 5 hours per night. I was miserable. It was so bad for my being to not sleep. A lot of things broke down. A friend told me about cognitive-behavioral therapy. Shortly after beginning the therapy with you I began to sleep well -no more pills! It feels like a miracle but I know it’s due to your skill, Dr. Dufford and the effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I also benefited from the meditation, biofeedback and EMDR techniques you shared with me. I feel so much better now that I am sleeping well again. Thank you so much for what you did for me. J.G.

Social anxiety is at a non-existent low ebb… I’m more comfortable...
I initially came in with severe social anxiety. Now it is at a non-existent low ebb. I’m out there doing things like clubs, dinner, dating. I’m also more comfortable interacting with people at work. I felt anxious and helpless before in social situations, now it’s like I have my own internal nurturing parent. I’ve made a lot of strides since starting therapy. I feel comfortable now. M.Z.

OCD: it’s 180 degrees different now. I feel great.
I had a problem with thinking everything was contaminated. I couldn’t touch my computer without cleaning my hands first. I couldn’t touch the door handle or water faucets in the bathroom. I couldn’t leave a room without having to constantly check to make sure I had left nothing behind. I learned to analyze my compulsions and obsessions. I learned that everything is not dirty or contaminated. I also learned that I needed to stop giving into the compulsions, as they provided only short term relief. I also learned to stop worrying about everything and about things I had no control over. After less than three months of therapy it’s 180 degrees different now. I don’t even carry antibacterial cream with me anymore and I used to use it constantly. My brain has changed. I don’t even think about these things now. I feel great. I also have learned meditation techniques from Dr.Dufford that have helped me to overcome my worries. I also now have a framework and set of skills that I can use to apply to any future OCD flare ups. It’s amazing to me the changes from therapy. S.P.

Releasing the emotional wall…being the real me…confident... at peace
I really like the EMDR we’ve been doing. It’s releasing the emotional wall built up that was keeping me from being the real me. This has been helping. I do feel more confident now. I’m really glad I came to a therapist. I feel more at peace. The fears I had now seem foolish. S.W.

You helped me with elevators
I want to say thank you for all the help you gave me. Especially you helped me with elevators. I want you to know that I have been going on elevators, even by myself. Thank you again. L.N.

Hated needles, panicked in the dentist chair... a calm, wonderful experience
I’m 52 and have been afraid of the dentist since I was 13. I hated needles and panicked in the dentist chair. I came in the day before an emergency dental appointment anxious, frantic and desperate. I’m just calling to say thank you, thank you, thank you. It totally worked. I had a completely calm and OK, wonderful experience at the dentist. You totally rock dude! E.B.

Severe panic… I’m feeling great…flying, driving again… a life saver
I was having severe panic attacks, trouble meeting with customers and employees. I was also having problems flying and getting very anxious when driving with someone in my car because I was nervous about having to pull over to handle my panic attack. I’ve had panic attacks since High School but at that time I didn’t know what it was. The therapy I’ve received has helped me out greatly. I learned that I was causing the panic attacks by thinking negative thoughts. I know now how to let them go! I’ve also learned that exercise is very important to recovery as well as eating properly. I’ve learned several techniques including breathing techniques to help me deal with stress. I have been flying again, driving and attended our annual business meeting with no problems. I’m currently feeling great. This has truly been a life saver. I am lucky to have found you. M.M.

Depressed, crying… feeling better, laughing, life is moving on.
I had depression, low energy level, no motivation to do anything. My sleep patterns were off, stressed about work situation, feeling betrayed by work, feeling stressed in person relationships and crying at anything. I went to therapy and learned various techniques/tools to deal with life - meditation, journaling, rapid eye movement. I learned to face what was really bothering me, to look for the root cause. A year later I am feeling better, have a job again and a new relationship. I am dealing better with stresses since I learned tools to deal with stress. I am laughing a lot with my fiancé, we are getting married in a few months. My life is moving on. C.W.

A caring, supportive counselor… I felt that with you.
I meant to send you a note much sooner, months ago, to basically write and thank you for all the help you gave me in therapy. I have made some tremendous strides over the years and recognize that when I have worked with a caring, supportive counselor, I have been able to access and release much of my past, and I particularly felt that with you. So thank you! L.A.

Difficulty urinating in public restrooms... everything is going well
Prior to therapy I had difficulty urinating in public restrooms. Up until a year ago I could at least urinate in stalls but lately I couldn’t even do that. It caused a lot of frustration and anxiety having to anticipate my day and where and how I’ll be able to urinate. What has helped the most in therapy is realizing I had general stress and nervousness and dealing with that, learning breathing skills, using the relaxation CD. Also Dr. Dufford’s demeanor - calm, quietly redirecting, encouraging - sessions were relaxing. Recently, about a month after starting therapy I walked into a busy bath room, went right away, even with a couple people in the bathroom. In other situations as well I went just fine - maybe 20 seconds to breathe, relax, release. Everything is going well. I went to other therapists who didn’t help. Dr. Dufford restored my faith in therapy. T.O.

Mortal fear of shots… now no problem I go to the Dr. feeling good.
I was afraid of the doctors office. I thought every time one went to the doctor they went there for a shot and I was mortally afraid of needles and getting a shot. The scent of the hospital made me light headed, I was afraid the person would slip with the needle and shove it into my arm. Doing therapy and using the CD Dr. Dufford made for me I desensitized all my fears about shots by changing my thinking, watched videos of shots and went to the doctor’s office and just breathed to get used to the scent. Now after having shots with no problem I feel unafraid. I can go to the doctor feeling good and I don’t have to worry about anything. Shots are fine, they don’t hurt, they’re good for me. I feel good, everything is alright. T.C.

I felt good about the exam. I went in feeling really confident.
I had an oral exam coming up for work. I was anxious and having negative thoughts “what if I don’t pass”, “I won’t know the answer,” “what if feel panicky and want to run from the room”. After one session and using the Relaxation/Guided Imagery CD I felt good about the exam. It really helped. I went in feeling really confident. Even though it was a small room with a panel of examiners, I wasn’t nervous. I passed no problem. D.B.

I feel much better... coming out of a fog... seems like such a quick time
At the worst I was having panic attacks going over bridges and overpasses, self esteem not very high, anxiety over skin cancer surgery. I was somewhat fixated on my appearance. I realized that my depression began 18 years ago after heart transplant surgery. I was experiencing general malaise and no real direction in life. After initiating therapy I began to listen very carefully to Dr. Dufford and my own self talk, questioning my thoughts and challenging them. With the bridges that took longer. With baby steps I eventually conquered that fear. I feel much better now, like coming out of a fog. My energy is good and my esteem is high. The bridge and appearance issues seem like distant memories. It seems like such a quick time – just over three months since starting therapy. It seems like the negativity I built up in my mind disappeared so quickly. S.D.

After one session of EMDR the neck pain went away.
I had neck pain for about a year. Physical therapy and medication did not help. After one session of EMDR with you the pain went away. That was about three years ago. S.M.

Dr. Dufford helped me become the joyful person I once was – again.
I was experiencing constant anxiety, insomnia, despair, panic attacks, feelings of failure, fear of not being able to sleep, confusion, second – guessing myself, worry about money, trying to please others, lack of perspective, unable to cope. I learned techniques for regaining perspective, minimizing problems, controlling “what-if” thinking, using breathing exercises to calm my mind and body, relearned how to relate normally (healthfully) to the world around me, accepted reality and gained perspective on my job experience and life experience. Today I am thousand times better than when I started. I’m happy and look forward to each day. I no longer anticipate negative outcomes. I feel self-reliant and self determined again. I’m glad I left my damaging job environment and feel wiser and more capable of taking care of myself because of the experience. Dr. Dufford’s guidance has helped me become the joyful person I once was – again. L.H.

I had stage fright… I was calm. My solos went really, really well.
Even though I am an accomplished singer I was afraid to do a solo in performance- even in practice. The last time I tried it was very painful. I had stage fright and was afraid of being judged, getting anxious and running out of breath. I worked on it with Dr. Dufford using breathing techniques, imagery rehearsal, EMDR and changing my self-talk. Since then I have performed two solos – one in a really big concert. I was calm. It went really, really well, better than I ever expected. M.R.

Having panic attacks driving, at work,etc… I am comfortable again.
I feel good now. Two and-a-half months ago (before anxiety treatment) I was generally anxious all the time, having panic attacks while driving and at work. I couldn’t go into buildings or elevators, was anxious in the mall, and night-time, clouds and rain all caused anxiety. Now I am comfortable in all those situations. Work is a safe place for me. I haven’t had obsessive thoughts in a while. I have the tools to stop the anxiety now. It is also inspiring to be in the support group – to see other people doing so well and to know I am not alone with these problems. I’m very happy. D.G.

I tolerated anxiety, panic and hopelessness for 15 years. I was in hell – now life is pretty good.
I tolerated anxiety, panic and hopelessness for 15 years. What I got from Anxiety Treatment Services is that I know myself a heck of a lot better. I actually know what I do myself that creates the anxiety spiral. I know what I need to do to stop it from ever starting. I was in hell – now life is pretty good. It has been an enormous growth experience – an interesting journey. I’m now happy with myself and who I am. I wish I had gotten help sooner. It was worth the effort. A.D.