bio in the media publications

For almost 30 years I have been an active psychotherapist, patient advocate and author, combining my academic training in psychology, my personal experience of overcoming a phobia, and my commitment to raising public and professional awareness about the seriousness and treatability of anxiety disorders. To this end I founded and direct The Ross Center for Anxiety & Related Disorders in Washington, D.C., am co-founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, author of One Less Thing to Worry About: Uncommon Wisdom for Coping with Common Anxieties (Ballantine Books, 2009) and Triumph Over Fear: A Book of Help and Hope for People with Anxiety, Panic Attacks and Phobias (Bantam Books, 1994), and producer of Freedom From Anxiety (2001), a comprehensive audio and video tape self-help program. One Less thing to Worry About: Uncommon Wisdom for Coping with Common Anxieties (Ballantine Books, 2009)

Executive Officer of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, author of One Less Thing to Worry About: Uncommon Wisdom for Coping with Common Anxieties (Ballantine Books, 2009) and Triumph over Fear: A Book of Help and Hope for People with Anxiety, Panic Attacks and Phobias (Batham Books, 1994), and producer of Freedom From Anxiety (2001), a comprehensive audio and video tape self-help program.

During my mid-twenties I developed a phobia that interfered with nearly every aspect of my life. I felt alone, frightened and convinced that I was the only one in the world with this problem. It wasn't until after I completed my graduate training in psychology at the New School for Social Research in New York City, and went through an anxiety disorders treatment program, that I became aware there were others out there like me. This was 1977 and very little was known about phobias or any of the other anxiety disorders. As a matter of fact, "panic disorder" and "social phobia", two of the most common anxiety disorders, did not even have names yet!

And, little did I know at that time, that the very problem that plagued me for five years would lead me to a career that, to this day, brings me tremendous pride and satisfaction. I can remember thinking, even as a young child, that whatever I did with my life, I wanted to "make a difference". What I meant by that wasn't crystallized for me until the day one of my very first patients, Sylvia B., a woman who hadn't been inside an elevator for over fifty years, triumphantly rode up to the top floor of a building, by herself, during our third therapy session. I can vividly recall thinking, as I watched the tears of joy running down her face as she stepped off the elevator and hugged me, that "what I am doing is making a difference". "How many more people like Sylvia are out there?" I wondered, not knowing at that time that there were more than forty (40) million Americans suffering from some kind of an anxiety disorder. What I did know for sure, however, was that I found a career that would enable me to fulfil my childhood dream.

The dream continued as I began my public advocacy efforts (bio) in addition to my hands on work with patients. And, over the years I was given the opportunity to spread the message that anxiety disorders are REAL, SERIOUS and TREATABLE by appearing on over 100 radio and television shows, and in several hundred newspaper and magazine articles (in the media).

While I am thrilled with whatever role I may have played during the past twenty years in bringing the message of hope and help to anxiety disorder sufferers, major challenges remain. And, whether I am working one-on-one with a private patient, conducting a training seminar for health professionals, or appearing on national television, my personal goal is the same: for every individual suffering from an anxiety disorder to know that he/she is not alone, helpless or hopeless, and for each person who needs help to have access to effective treatment.