Rebecca Robb, PsyD clinical psychologist, co-founder of an integrative health care practice, Integrative Primary Care Associates, was interviewed by host of the Anxiety Summit, Trudy Scott, Food Mood Expert and Nutritionist, author of The Antianxiety Food Solution.
Treating Anxiety in an Integrative Medicine Practice
- What is integrated medicine
- What are the complexities of building an integrated medical practice
- Incorporating neuro-nutrition/amino acids into a psychotherapy practice
- Case studies using neuro-nutrition/amino acids and psychotherapy for anxiety, depression, panic attacks, family dysfunction, chronic pain, gut distress
Rebecca Robb incorporates neuro nutrition into her psychotherapy practice. This is what she says about neuro nutrition:
From my standpoint, for me, I think I use those words to describe the way in which I use supplements, specifically amino acids although I’m starting to use lithium orotate, and vitamins and supplements, vitamins and omega-3’s, that kind of thing. How I use those supplements and how I use dietary change and adjustment to affect mental health issues or to tweak mental health issues. That’s what I mean by neuro-nutrition.
I will tell you any therapist can describe to you, and I can go on and on, about what it’s like, for example, to be sitting with somebody who’s quite anxious and spending your time on deep breathing exercises and the kind of tools that I have traditionally been offered as a psychologist, and yet here’s this other tool where we can calm the patient’s body. Once they can get more of their physical symptoms under control, the level that we can go at in a psychotherapy realm is very exciting.
People come in to see a therapist and then kind of push you away because it’s too scary to deal with grief, it’s too scary to deal with the hard stuff, they’re afraid to become more depressed or more anxious or more – but when we can get the physiological symptoms more under control, we can go to really deep places and make wonderful progress from the psychological standpoint. I do it, so that I can do my work better; that’s why I’m so attracted to it. I watched people be able to grow more than I could ever imagine them growing with us just using the traditional tools of psychotherapy.
We discussed the amino acid questionnaire created by Julia Ross, author of the The Mood Cure. Here is the link to the blog from my talk: Targeted individual amino acids for eliminating anxiety: practical applications. You can get a copy of the questionnaire from here and read up more information on GABA. I am a big fan of GABA and find it to be very effective.
Rebecca has found phenibut (and Kavinace – a combo product that contains phenibut) to be more effective than GABA with her patients. This is one of the case studies that has me concerned about phenibut: Phenibut dependence
We present a case of a patient who used phenibut to self-medicate anxiety, insomnia and cravings for alcohol. While phenibut was helpful initially, the patient developed dependence including tolerance, significant withdrawal symptoms within 3-4 h of last use and failure to fulfil his roles at work and at home.
Rebecca mentioned two books: the book that covers a paleo style diet Practical Paleo: A Customized Approach to Health and a Whole-Foods Lifestyle by Diane Sanfilippo and The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter–And How to Make the Most of Them Now by Meg Jay, a guide for 20-somethings.
If you are not already registered for the Anxiety Summit you can get live access to the speakers of the day here www.theAnxietySummit.com
As a psychologist, how is Dr. Robb able to use neuro-nutrition (“prescribing” amino acids, supplements, vitamins, etc.) in her work with her clients? It seems it would be out of the realm of what her professional license would permit?
Is she able to because she is in an integrated practice and the malpractice insurance and licensing “rules” are different?
As a licensed mental health counselor even if I took Julia Ross’ course or learned everything I could about amino acid therapy and nutrition, while I certainly could educate my patients, I don’t believe I could ethically or legally “prescribe” to them. Please help me understand how this would work for someone like myself who works in an outpatient “non-integrated” psychotherapy private practice. Thank you for your thoughts.
I cannot speak to your specific credential or your state regulations. I can only say that I too was concerned over my licensing board’s interpretation of scope of practice. To address this issue, I met with the executive director. Our conversation inspired her to take the matter directly to the board knowing that many psychologists using non-traditional methods probably had similar apprehensions. They responded by drafting guidelines for providers to evaluate their use of “emerging practices”.
My practice protocols are informed by the board’s guidelines. In addition my setting and my training give me confidence in my decision to work with neuro-nutrition. I do not “prescribe” – I make recommendations for over the counter supplements. My patients are fully informed and have consented to our approach at their first session. With the mounting evidence of the dangers of long term use of SSRI’s and other psychiatric medication, I personally feel it is unethical to recommend them as a first line intervention when other effective options are available.
If you are interested in using a neuro-nutritional approach, I suggest you consult with a naturopath. I think you both might benefit from the collaboration. Feel free to email me at rebecca@rebeccarobbpsyd.com. I would love to hear more about your professional journey.
I currently suffer from anxiety and OCD and have since I had my first child at the age of 29yrs. I was put on many antidepressants, but I was not depressed. I was tested for many things. The doctors came up with Fibromyalgia. Due to all the tests and diagnosis’s the doctors came up with I now fear doctors, which is where my anxiety stems from. I am now on 30mg of Lexapro and .25 of klonopin every other day. I want off. I just recently started l-theanine I thought it worked but now am not so sure. I am a DTR registered dietetic technician, so I know the importance of nutrition. I try to eat gluten free. can you help…..
It is difficult to address your specific situation in this format because I need more information. I always think there are options – its just a matter of finding the interventions that are beneficial to you. I encourage you to contact me through my personal email address rebecca@rebeccarobbpsyc.com so we can continue this conversation.
Probably one of the reason why GABA is not for everybody is that GABA reduce blood sugar. If person don`t have problems with it he may feel better. So the same with many other good supplements, that reduce blood sugar rapidly like CoQ10, ALA, etc. Inositol is good for GABA too and most people with gut problems are deficient in it. Again, one side effect: it is reducing blood pressure. For person with low blood sugar it can create a problem.
Hi Lisa
I don’t know of any research or clinical results that show that GABA reduces blood sugar. I’m a little confused by this comment in general. Perhaps you could clarify?
Trudy
Thank you, Trudy, for your guidance. Bless you…
Victoria
You’re most welcome – I know Rebecca would be happy to chat with you so feel free to reach out to her too
Trudy