Leap Counseling and Consultation

08/14/2026

The Physical and Emotional Signs of Panic Attacks: A Psychologist’s Guide

This week's blog is on the signs of a panic attack.

Panic attacks are like a faulty alarm system. Some people have fancy alarm systems to detect motion in their yard. The system is set up to protect them and their family from intruders who wish to cause harm or steal - that's the whole point. But what happens when the alarm becomes oversensitive? It could mistake a cute bunny in their yard for an intruder, going off when there's no real danger.

The physical symptoms of fear are all part of the body's alarm system. The sympathetic nervous system triggers the fight-or-flight response, which involves a whole host of physical changes, all of which are meant to prepare the body to fight a threat or run to safety.

When your alarm system is oversensitive, it can put you on edge and disrupt your life. Every time, your body makes it seem like the threat is real, and you respond to the alarm each time. But it's exhausting. So you might restructure your life to avoid setting it off, the equivalent of putting up huge, impenetrable walls around your entire property so nothing gets in or out. Instead of merely employing reasonable efforts to protect from real danger, you are instead focusing all your energy around keeping the alarm system from being tripped.

Even though the danger FEELS very real, in the end, it is just an alarm. Alarms are not perfect. Sometimes they are tripped when there's no danger, and sometimes they are not activated even though danger is present.

Learn more about the physical, emotional, and cognitive signs of a panic attack by clicking the link to the full blog.

If you are interested in reaching out for a free 15-minute consultation, contact me via the form on my website:
leap-counseling.com/contact

What's happening in your body during a panic attack? Learn the signs to look for & how therapy for panic disorder in Wauwatosa can help you take back control.

07/28/2026

Dr. Wood has immediate openings, and a few evening appointments are available.

Reach out via the contact form on my website: leap-counseling.com/contact, email me directly, or give me a call to schedule a free 15-minute consult call.

07/22/2026

Panic attacks are not synonymous with panic disorder.

Panic attacks are a core aspect of panic disorder, but other symptoms are also required for it to be considered panic disorder.

Examples include:

- persistent fear of having another panic attack
- panic attacks that seem to come out of nowhere, with no clear trigger
- avoidance of bodily sensations that are similar to panic (like increased heart rate when exercising)

Check out the new blog to learn more!

Are your panic attacks a sign of panic disorder? Discover what distinguishes the two and how therapy for panic disorder in Wauwatosa can help you find answers.

07/10/2026

Meme Friday!

Listen, remember how OCD themes are not mutually exclusive and can be intertwined?

Your brain can feel a bit like McGonagall here, questioning --- why is it always you three coming up for me every time there's a tiny trigger?

Constantly doubting who you are, who you love, and what you're attracted to is exhausting.

Remember, clarity is only going to come by allowing yourself to be uncertain. The only way out is through.

leap-counseling.com

07/06/2026

OCD Around Identity - Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity OCD (SO-OCD, GOCD)

I unintentionally missed Pride Month for this one, but better late than never!

Some folks with OCD primarily have concerns around their own sexual orientation or gender identity.

Since only you can determine your own identity in these areas, it's easy for OCD to get in there and maximize any doubts or questions.

People with any sexual orientation or gender identity can have these themes. It's not uncommon for folks who are transgender, for example, to have OCD symptoms around being wrong about their gender identity.

Often, unhelpful stereotypes that the person may not even believe in come up and cause them to question:
- Am I just doing this for attention like people say?
- Maybe I'm just a tomboy and putting myself and my family through this stress for no reason?

Feared consequences can be varied:
- If I'm actually gay, then this would break up my marriage and my family
- What if I am never able to truly be myself, if I can never figure out who I am?

If this sound familiar and seem to go beyond normal questioning of identity, it might be time to reach out for help.

Click the link below to learn more!

Is OCD making you question your sexual orientation or gender identity? Learn what SO-OCD and GOCD are and how online OCD treatment in Wauwatosa, WI, can help.

07/03/2026

Meme Friday!

OCD will tell you that even the most minute decision carries "end-of-the-world" type weight.

This may seem like an exaggeration, but even something as mundane as choosing a brand of peanut butter can feel terrifying and impossible for folks with moral OCD.

The good news is, there is an effective treatment for OCD: exposure and response prevention (ERP)! Lots of research has shown how well it works. It's hard, but those who follow through with it tend to see results. If you'd like to reach out to me for treatment, link in bio.

Have a fabulous Friday!

06/29/2026

Secular Moral OCD

This weeks' blog is on moral OCD. OCD fears about right and wrong are not always around religion. People who are nonreligious can and do also have fears of being a bad person.

Specific concerns can look very different for each person (as is often the case with OCD!) Common concerns include:
- Contributing to climate change or pollution
- Going to Hell despite not believing in Hell (because "what if")
- Offending others
- Cheating on a partner
- Saying anything that could remotely be considered lying

Click the link to learn more!

If this sounds like you or someone you love, consider reaching out to me about getting and evaluation and treatment. I have immediate openings at this time.

Are you constantly asking yourself, "Am I a bad person?" Learn how moral OCD distorts your sense of self & how online OCD treatment in Wauwatosa, WI, can help.

06/26/2026

Meme Friday!

As a pop punk fan, I had to.

All jokes aside, avoidance ultimately will only get in the way of recovery for panic disorder.

Going to the ER may make you feel safe in the moment, but it's not going to make the panic attacks stop.

Stop letting panic hold you back.

Leap-counseling.com
(414) 207-4648

06/22/2026

What is Panic Disorder?

People with panic disorder experience frequent panic attacks, some of which come out of nowhere.

The panic attacks are sudden rushes of intense fear that peak within just a few minutes and last for about 10-30 minutes before starting to go down.

Between panic attacks, there is a lot of anxiety about having another panic attack. They may make changes to try to prevent themselves from having another one. This might involve:

- Carrying around "safety signals" like water bottle, phone, a snack, as-needed prescription medication (like Xanax)
- Avoiding places panic attacks have occurred before
- Avoiding activities that cause physical sensations (like running)

The good news is, panic disorder is highly treatable! Exposure therapy is effective when led by an experienced clinician.

Learn more by clicking the link below.

If you're ready to stop coping and start living, reach out to me today to schedule a free 15-minute consultation call:
📞 (414) 207-4648

Is the way you respond to panic attacks actually making them worse? Learn how the panic cycle works and how panic disorder treatment in Wauwatosa, WI, can help.

06/16/2026

OCD & Groinal Response

The #1 reason people with sexual OCD question their diagnosis is this: groinal response

What's that?
-it's the physical sexual arousal that folks can experience even in response to unwanted sexual thoughts

The fact is, our bodies do not differentiate between sexual stimuli. To your body, even incredibly disturbing thoughts can be recognized as sexually relevant.

It's important to remember:
🙅‍♀️ physical sexual arousal does not equal attraction
🌀 human sexuality is complicated
💚 you are not alone

Read the full blog: https://tinyurl.com/leap-counseling