words of wisdom from the beautiful, brilliant brain of Barbara

Hi Everybody,

My name is Barbara Kirsch and I am a licensed Marriage and Family therapist. I have practiced for more than 40 years and I am beyond grateful that I have learned so much and get to share it with you.

I remember so clearly my early years: loving the world and its beauty, loving my family and close people and wanting to be happy and a good person. I also knew that I was petrified!

I became so involved and focused on these "scary" thoughts and feelings while I was a young student at Huinter Elementary School in NY. As time went by, school and activities became times of fears and sadness - it became so intertwined with my every day life. (my confidence, my feeling loved, my lack of enjoying humor, my fear of being accepted by others....)

Just to illustrate an example of my "PANIC" time, I was on the train going to school by myself and I felt "faint". I was helped off the train. My mother was called and came to the station. My mom was very calm, looked at me and sent me back to school! It was NEVER discussed again! HINT.... I wonder why I Kept the anxiety to myself after that for so many years! HA! Well, if only there had been a book, a class, a show, a BLOG to explain my fears and what was happening to me.....what a difference that would have made.

I don't ever want someone to be scared to share the "shaky" "scary" feelings again. That is why I'm so grateful to this technology and for all my years of studying and meeting with so many people like me!

I suffered in silence through countless panic attacks, "what if " thoughts, ruminating, obsessive worry and even postpartum depression. Like so many of you- we just do it! I just did it! We always do! Remember though, there were so many days, months, years where this was not my focus. My life was/is incredibly full with marriage, kids, grandkids, friends, travel, fun etc... Those of us who share this special l little corner in our brain, know that it always lurks there in the background waiting to humble us! It doesn't have to.

When my youngest son was in Middle School I remember taking a class on assertiveness training at a local women's center. I thought to myself, "I know this, I live this, it helped get me through the rough times", I knew I could use it to treat people with severe anxiety.

I went back to school and got my Masters in Clinical Psychology, did my 3000 clinical hours and became a licensed MFT. Aside from my husband and kids, it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

I was honored to be part of the TERRAP program and opened my own center with a wonderful partner and staff. I taught courses for years, gave speeches and appeared on TV and radio shows whenever I could. I was getting the word out! Agoraphobia, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, OCD and depression would now become household terms! People could soon not be afraid to tell others they needed help. In fact, they learned that this only made them STRONGER and it was just ONE part of the wonderful multi-faceted person that made them whole, capable and incredible!

Soon my daughter Lisa joined me in my practice and became my partner in TERRAP.

There is so much I want to share. Anxiety does not have to control your life! I look forward to sharing entries with you and hopefully my years of practice and personal experience will help you on your amazing, loving journey.

I hope you'll join me in following along

XOXO,

Barbara