Dr. Gary Probst

06/03/2026

Anxiety is the enemy of peace.

Some anxiety is genetic, flowing down DNA markers from past generations. Anxiety also develops from bullying, abuse, fear of rejection and the overthinking that goes with ADHD and Autism. Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and other techniques do help.

Antidepressants also reduce anxiety, helping the brain balance the use of positive neurotransmitter enzymes. Your balance may be off because of Cortisol, a rather nasty enzyme your brain develops because your Amygdala, the little brain portion that controls fight or flight, is on overdrive.

Cortisol is very negative, unless your life is in immediate danger. It is an old byproduct of more dangerous times in human existence. It causes worry, stress, inflammation of tissues, adds to the risk of cancer and heart disease and also put extra weight around the bellies of men and the backsides of women. Cortisol needs to be controlled.

SSRI's and SNRI's can help, but botanicals can also play a part. Try Lavender, Lemon Balm, Ginseng, Echinacea, Chamomile and Ashwagandha. The Botanical Institute is a helpful site:

The best herbs for anxiety and depression. This list of anxiolytic herbs includes Passionflower, Skullcap, Ashwagandha, Lemon Balm & more.

05/02/2026

Would there be interest in an addiction recovery group in Medford?

05/02/2026

In other words, none of this is good.

Adolescents with a cannabis addiction are more likely to develop schizophrenia and depression than peers addicted to other substances. A recent study shows

04/30/2026

Please share with friends and family who may need help, online, or in-person in Medford, WI.

Dr. Gary R Probst, Licensed Professional Counselor, Medford, WI, 54451, (262) 239-7511, Is anxiety a problem? I focus on helping anxious and overthinking people, from the Neurodivergent to those with genetic and generalized anxiety. I am Level One Autism, fka Aspergers. I fully understand and can gu...

04/22/2026

Shame and guilt are not effective in raising children. Shame and guilt are what drive addicted people back to their substance or activity of choice. It creates deep-seated self-confidence problems. Statements like, "you can do better" or questions like "why would you do that?" are more effective.

Most people want to please those around them. However, they want and need respect. Scolding digs deeply into the psyche of a child or adult. The concept of screaming at people to control them is highly counterproductive.

This applies in all areas of life. I teach Sports Psychology, part-time, for Abilene Christian's online program and work with coaches and players in college and professional sports. One of my colleagues was a player on the Texas Rangers World Series team. We teach team development through encouragement, kind correction, elevating each other, lifting each other, showing respect for each other, putting other players at the forefront of what we do and not ourselves.

Negative comments to kids and adults just tear them down. It isn't like muscle, where tearing it down rebuilds stronger. It just tears and causes tears.

If teachers can refrain from negative comments; if parents can build their children with positivity, many of our long-term multigenerational problems will dissipate. In a world with so much confusion, try and avoid confusion in all aspects of life.

04/07/2026

Need help with anxiety? Who doesn't?

I can help with my 14 years of experience in mental health and many years in prior careers in business. I can really help autistic teens and adults. I also have great experience helping those with addictions and mood disorders.

I just opened a new office at the Northcentral Tech building on Progressive Avenue in Medford, WI. I also conduct telehealth, for those who prefer not to drive.

I also teach counseling psychology for Grand Canyon University, Abilene Christian and Liberty.

I can open up new session slots in Medford and I do have Aspirus Health via TAVA and I have my own contract with Security Health. There are very few insurances I cannot take.

Send me a message, as I am in sessions most of the time and phone calls slip by me. Message me or email me at: [email protected].

Thanks Medford area. I look forward to meeting more people.

03/18/2026

Do NOT pay thousands of dollars for "autism testing". The only "test" is the ADOS, which involves children's toys. If you are a teen or adult, that is a ludicrous thing to ask of you. Psychologists are making a killing charging people for IQ tests, memory tests that are used for Alzheimers, things that have no bearing on autism and I feel it is a grave injustice to clients to take thousands from them.

It is because most psychologists are not on the spectrum. I am on the spectrum. I can tell if a brother or sister of the spectrum is among us. I put together a long questionnaire with five other counselors who are also on the spectrum.

If you have questions, hold onto your wallet. I don't charge anything to interpret the questionnaire and only bill your insurance to meet and go over things. NO thousands of dollars.

I have helped thousands of people on the spectrum live better lives by standing up for them, coaching them, helping them understand the advantages of their situation and finding respect. This applies to Level One and Two. Level Three, I feel is a neurological disorder closer to Cerebral Palsy, with the active mind trapped in the body.

If you may be Level One or Two and want some help, reach out to me and I'll get you that questionnaire and will NOT rip you off with needless tests that are greatly overcharged for.

By the way, I don't use the puzzle piece stuff for images. I feel that's insulting. My mind is complete, operating with a high IQ score, as is the case for the vast majority of people on the spectrum!

03/15/2026

Let’s talk about the causes of anxiety, which seems to be epidemic for all of society.

The speed of life is causing much of it. Images flashing before us, no time to reflect, no calming thought, little time outside, screens all the time with people scrolling through reels of others acting foolish or outrageous. This is not healthy.

Your mind adapts to what it experiences. Doomscrolling leads to an inability to focus, to concentrate, to really know self, family and others around us. Much of what is on the internet is designed to capture your eyeballs and hold them, not worrying about what that does to you. It is all about money, not humanity
Take your kids on nature walks and the phones have to stay in the car. Limit screen time. Yes, I know, taking away screen time often involves “scream time”, as the child melts down. You have to be firm about this and find other distractions that are more mentally healthy.

There has been a wave of teens calling 911 because parents take away phones. Surely, your local police will not deal with the child lightly and maybe put some fear into them for such a call. 911 operators know how to push back against such calls. Don’t fall for manipulation and desperation. You did not amputate their limb. You took away something that is potentially as dangerous as a loaded gun.

You also must know who your children are talking with and there are countless apps out there you may never have heard of. Predators are everywhere, posing as young people of the opposite s*x and asking for photos. If your teen shares n**e photos, they are actually distributing child p**n and police will seek prosecution.
As parents, for your children and yourself, you simply must find time to do things that don’t involve electronics. If you take the kids out to eat, the phones stay in the car. No scrolling at the restaurant. If you go to an event, the phones stay in the car. Phones should also not be allowed in schools, but many allow it.

If you do not slow down the speed of life for yourself and your children, you will see increased anxiety. Anxiety leads to depression. Depression leads to hopelessness. That leads to possible su***de. SLOW DOWN. We all must learn to slow down our minds or we will surely suffer. Find something peaceful to do, today.

03/13/2026

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You have spent your entire life feeling like everyone else received an instruction manual. You might be highly successful, a devoted mother, or a top profe

12/30/2025

The holidays are nearing an end and family issues are amplified. Have the holiday family blues? I can help people in Wisconsin, Iowa, Arizona and Missouri, if insurance works, to overcome family anxieties that lead to sadness and frustration. Send me a message and we can talk.