We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Sara Herman, MD, ABOIM, founder of Soft Reboot Wellness, was honored to speak at the 2025 ASKP³ Annual Conference, held from January 23 to 25 in Austin, Texas. The American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists, and Practitioners (ASKP³) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the safe and effective clinical use of ketamine for treating mental health disorders and chronic pain conditions. This year’s conference brought together leading experts, researchers, and clinicians in psychedelic medicine, offering a platform to exchange the latest advancements in the field.

A Groundbreaking Presentation on Stellate Ganglion Blocks (SGB) and Ketamine Therapy

Dr. Herman was invited to present on the main stage, where she spoke about the integration of Stellate Ganglion Blocks (SGB) as an adjunct to ketamine therapy for PTSD and autonomic nervous system dysregulation. This advanced treatment approach has been gaining recognition for its potential to reset the nervous system, offering relief for patients experiencing chronic stress responses, hypervigilance, and trauma-related symptoms.

During her presentation, Dr. Herman highlighted the synergy between SGB and ketamine therapy, explaining how the dual approach can significantly improve patient outcomes. The Stellate Ganglion Block, a well-established procedure involving the precise injection of a local anesthetic near the cervical sympathetic ganglia, has been shown to modulate the autonomic nervous system, alleviating conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and even symptoms related to long COVID, POTS, and perimenopausal vasomotor symptoms.

Her talk was met with enthusiastic praise from attendees, many of whom shared their personal experiences witnessing the profound impact of these treatments. One attendee remarked:

“I have personally witnessed the profound synergy between the Stellate Ganglion Block and Ketamine IV Therapy. Your dual presentation was nothing short of exceptional—I found it immensely enlightening and masterfully delivered!”

Another commented:

“Best talk, hands down!”

Dr. Herman’s Work with Soul Strides Journey Inc.

In addition to her discussion on SGB and ketamine therapy, Dr. Herman also shared insights into her collaborative work with Soul Strides Journey Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit she co-founded with Alison Hunter, LMFT, in 2023. The Soul Strides Journey Method integrates ketamine-assisted therapy, equine-assisted therapy, and group process work, creating a unique and transformative healing experience for individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, and depression.

Soul Strides Journey was designed to provide accessible, deeply integrative healing experiences, leveraging the therapeutic power of horses and the insightful depth of psychedelic-assisted therapy. By incorporating a mind-body approach that includes IFS (Internal Family Systems), ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), and Jungian principles, the program fosters lasting emotional and psychological transformation.

Dr. Herman’s Expertise in Stellate Ganglion Block Therapy

At Soft Reboot Wellness, Dr. Herman offers the advanced dual injection technique of SGB for clients with PTSD and conditions related to autonomic dysregulation. Unlike traditional approaches, Dr. Herman employs real-time ultrasound guidance, ensuring precision, safety, and optimal results.

SGB has been studied for its ability to “reset” the fight-or-flight response, making it particularly effective for individuals struggling with:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Chronic Anxiety and Panic Disorders
• Long COVID Symptoms
• POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)
• Perimenopausal Vasomotor Symptoms
• COVID Vaccine Injury
• Insomnia and Sleep Dysregulation

Dr. Herman’s expertise in both SGB and ketamine therapy places Soft Reboot Wellness at the forefront of innovative, integrative mental health and pain management solutions.

Join Us on Your Healing Journey

If you or a loved one is struggling with PTSD, anxiety, depression, or nervous system dysregulation, we invite you to explore the cutting-edge therapies offered at Soft Reboot Wellness. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care, helping individuals achieve profound and lasting healing.

📍 Clinic Location:
825 Oak Grove Ave, Suite A101, Menlo Park, CA 94025

📞 Contact Us:
Phone: +1 650-419-3330
Email: hello@softrebootwellness.com

🌐 Learn More:
Visit our website: softrebootwellness.com

We are honored to support you on your journey to wellness.

Understanding Panic Attacks

What is a Panic Attack?

A panic attack is not just a momentary feeling of nervousness or anxiety. It is a full-blown physical and psychological response to a perceived threat. During an attack, you may experience a rapid heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, and a fear of losing control or going crazy.

Imagine being in a crowded room, surrounded by people, when suddenly, your heart starts pounding in your chest. Your palms become sweaty, and you feel a wave of nausea wash over you. Your mind starts racing, and you can’t shake the feeling that something terrible is about to happen. This is what a panic attack feels like.

It’s important to note that panic attacks are not dangerous or life-threatening. Although they can be incredibly distressing, they are not a sign of weakness or a mental health disorder. They are a natural response to stress and anxiety, and with the right support and coping mechanisms, they can be managed effectively.

Common Triggers of Panic Attacks

While panic attacks can seemingly come out of nowhere, they are often triggered by specific situations or events. Understanding these triggers can help individuals better manage their panic attacks and reduce their frequency.

Excessive stress is one of the most common triggers of panic attacks. When you are under a great deal of stress, your body’s fight-or-flight response can become overactive, leading to a heightened state of anxiety and an increased risk of panic attacks.

Major life changes, such as moving to a new city, starting a new job, or ending a relationship, can also trigger panic attacks. These significant transitions can disrupt your sense of stability and security, leaving you feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed.

Trauma is another common trigger of panic attacks. If you have experienced a traumatic event, such as a car accident, physical assault, or natural disaster, your body and mind may be on high alert, making you more susceptible to panic attacks.

In some cases, certain medications can also trigger panic attacks. Stimulants, such as caffeine and nicotine, can increase anxiety levels and contribute to the onset of panic attacks. Additionally, some medications used to treat other mental health conditions, such as depression or bipolar disorder, can have side effects that include panic attacks.

Substance abuse is yet another trigger of panic attacks. Drugs and alcohol can disrupt the balance of chemicals in your brain, leading to increased anxiety and panic. If you are struggling with substance abuse, it is essential to seek help and support to address both the addiction and the underlying mental health issues.

By understanding the common triggers of panic attacks, individuals can take proactive steps to manage their anxiety and reduce the frequency and intensity of panic attacks. Whether through therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, or a combination of these approaches, there is hope for those who experience panic attacks.

Recognizing Early Signs of a Panic Attack

Physical Symptoms to Look Out For

Physical symptoms that may indicate the onset of a panic attack include increased heart rate, sweating, trembling, chest tightness, and feeling lightheaded or dizzy. These sensations can be alarming but remember that they are usually harmless and will pass.

During a panic attack, the body’s natural fight-or-flight response is triggered, leading to a surge of adrenaline. This surge can cause various physical symptoms as the body prepares itself for a perceived threat. However, panic attacks are not life-threatening and cannot cause any physical harm.

It is common for individuals experiencing a panic attack to fear that they are having a heart attack or some other serious medical condition. This fear can intensify the physical symptoms and further escalate the panic. Understanding that these symptoms are a result of anxiety and not a sign of imminent danger can help alleviate some of the distress.

Emotional Indicators of an Impending Panic Attack

The emotional indicators of an impending panic attack may include feelings of fear, impending doom, or a sense of being detached from reality. You may also experience a heightened sense of anxiety or restlessness.

These emotional indicators can be just as distressing as the physical symptoms. The fear of losing control or going crazy is a common concern among individuals experiencing panic attacks. It is key to remember that these feelings are a result of the body’s response to anxiety and are not indicative of any underlying mental illness.

Recognizing these emotional indicators can help you take proactive steps to manage your anxiety and prevent a panic attack from fully manifesting. Engaging in relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises or mindfulness meditation, can help calm the mind and reduce anxiety levels.

Additionally, seeking support from a mental health professional can provide you with the tools and strategies needed to effectively manage panic attacks. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a commonly used approach that can help you identify and challenge negative thought patterns that contribute to panic attacks.

Techniques to Prevent Panic Attacks

Breathing Exercises for Panic Attack Prevention

Deep breathing exercises can help regulate your breathing and reduce stress, effectively preventing panic attacks. Take slow, deep breaths in through your nose, hold for a few seconds, and exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat this process several times until you feel more relaxed.

Mindfulness and Meditation to Ward Off Panic Attacks

Practicing mindfulness and meditation can help you stay grounded in the present moment, reducing anxiety and preventing panic attacks. Set aside a few minutes each day to focus on your breath, observe your thoughts without judgment, and cultivate a sense of calm.

Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Panic Attacks

Importance of Regular Exercise

Engaging in regular exercise not only benefits your physical health but also has a positive impact on your mental well-being. Exercise releases endorphins, the body’s natural mood boosters, and helps reduce stress levels. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.

Dietary Adjustments to Minimize Panic Attacks

Your diet can also play a role in managing panic attacks. Limit your consumption of caffeine and alcohol, as they can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. Focus on eating a balanced diet that includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, which provide essential nutrients for optimal brain function.

Professional Help for Panic Attacks

When to Seek Professional Help

If panic attacks persist despite your efforts to manage them, it is important to seek professional guidance. Mental health professionals, such as therapists and psychiatrists, can provide you with tailored treatment options to address underlying causes and develop coping strategies.

Therapies and Treatments for Panic Attacks

Several therapeutic approaches and treatments have proven successful in managing panic attacks. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and ketamine infusion therapy can help identify and modify thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to panic attacks. Medication may also be prescribed to manage symptoms or alleviate anxiety.

Parting Words

In conclusion, preventing panic attacks involves understanding the nature of panic attacks, recognizing early signs, implementing techniques such as breathing exercises and mindfulness, making lifestyle changes, and seeking professional help when needed. By adopting these strategies, you can take control of your mental health and reduce the occurrence of panic attacks, ultimately leading to a more balanced and fulfilling life.

To learn about the anxiety management options we offer, contact Soft Reboot Wellness today to schedule a mental health consultation.

What Is Panic Disorder?

According to the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, “Panic Disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that may include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal distress. These episodes occur ‘out of the blue,’ not in conjunction with a known fear or stressor.” Nearly three million U.S. adults have panic disorder each year, but the symptoms can often be managed.

Know The Symptoms

People of all ages can have a panic attack; it happens most often to teens and young adults. Children aren’t immune, and women get them twice as often as men. The most common symptoms include:

• Chest discomfort.
• Chills.
• Choking or suffocating feeling.
• Trouble breathing.
• Fear of losing self-control.
• Thinking like you’re at risk of dying.
• An intense sense of terror.
• Vomiting.
• Racing heartbeat.
• Perspiration.
• Tingling or coldness in toes or fingers.
• Shuddering or shaking.

What About Risk Factors?

Factors that may boost the chances of getting panic disorder or panic attacks include:

• There’s a family history of either condition
• You experience significant life stressors, such as the passing or acute sickness of a loved one
• A traumatic event or a serious accident can trigger a panic disorder
• Big changes in your life, like getting a divorce or becoming a first-time parent
• You smoke or drink caffeinated beverages excessively
• History of childhood or another abuse

Panic Disorder & Grounding Techniques

A panic attack is an 800-pound gorilla in the room, creating chaos for someone who has panic disorder. Panic attacks are challenging to stop when they’re in full swing, but making such an effort may “slow” them down until they run their course. Strategies you can employ to slow down or stop a panic attack are called grounding strategies.

According to Winona State University, grounding techniques are “a set of simple strategies that can help you detach from emotional pain (e.g., anxiety, anger, sadness, self-harm). It is a way to distract yourself by focusing on something other than the difficult emotions you are experiencing. You may also think of grounding as centering, distracting, creating a safe place, or healthy detachment.”

Physical examples of ground techniques:

• Drench your hands in cool or warm water
• Grab as tightly as possible onto a chair or stair rail and feel the sensation that it creates
• Keep a small grounding object (like a smooth stone) with you when you need something to touch and feel bad emotions starting to build
• Pay attention to simple bodily motions
• Try stretching your limbs as far as possible and move your head from side to side
• Open and close your fists
• Trying to jump in place
• Eat savory foods, enjoying the taste, texture, and colors
• Pay attention to yourself as you breathe

Mental grounding techniques:

• Describe your surroundings in detail, focusing on colors, scents, birds and clouds in the sky, the placement of windows in a downtown office building
• Engage in a “categories” game where you think of anything – cars, restaurants, board games – and match them to a category that starts with letters of the alphabet and just go down the list
• Read out loud to yourself
• Recall something funny

Soothing grounding techniques include talking to yourself in a kindly fashion:

• Say kind things about yourself
• Recall each of your favorites in different categories
• Remember people you care about
• Repeat a coping statement

Diagnosis & Treatment

Major health troubles, such as cardiovascular disease, breathing problems, and thyroid disease, can trigger symptoms that you may see in panic attacks. If you think you have a panic disorder, see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. You may undergo tests to rule out a medical problem. Absent a physical cause; a medical professional could offer a diagnosis due to symptoms and risk factors or refer you to a mental health specialist for further examination.

Symptoms are often compared to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria before the final diagnosis. Treatment may include psychotherapy, medicine, or ketamine therapy.

Final Thoughts

If you think you have a panic disorder, you’re doing yourself a disservice by not getting help from a medical professional. It’s a severe disorder that can lower your quality of life if left untreated. Take action before that happens and learn about the best therapy for your condition.