When I started my psychotherapy practice in 1978, I was doing biofeedback and psychotherapy for stress related disorders to empower patients to heal without medication or to get off medication. Forty-five years and over 60.000 clinical hours later I have discovered there are high performance strategies to incorporate pharmaceuticals into the treatment process. This discussion with Dr. Mathew Lorber MD is the first in a series of interviews, the purpose of which is to educate the listener on what can be a complex process.

“John” describes how he once had “joy” with public speaking but lost it due to his anxiety which drove his avoidance and performance phobia. He “tried everything” but realized all of his previous attempts at help were “band aids over a gaping wound”. Very close to “abusing medication” he rediscovered his “”joy” by doing core work, which helped him understand his deep rooted anger, which had been recycling and driving his obsessive worry. The Berent Method helped him channel the anger into productive and proactive energy.

Once having considered an operation to sever her nerves, “Diane”, in her 40’s, describes her resolution – through therapy via telephone – of erythrophobia. When Diane initiated treatment she was at a “low point”. Her fear of blushing prevented her from getting “in front” of the people necessary to advance her career. Her avoidance was causing depression. Her anxiety was based on her belief that when she blushed “people would think she was not smart enough”. She describes how she learned to be “very good at hiding things” . Her insight into the ingrained character of the problem, and the fact that its’ seeds were in grammar school, was crucial for her healing.