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Kelli Ritter, PhD | Anxiety Recovery

@dr_kelli

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Rethinking anxiety recovery | 30+ yrs
Training + mentoring practitioners
Founder @quantummentalhealthinstitute
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Anxiety is a signal.

Exposure therapy isn't the only path to healing chronic anxiety.

There's a fuller picture — one that includes mitochondrial health, circadian biology, gut healing, and metabolic function. Most therapists and health practitioners were never trained in this.

We need those tools. But even more than that, we practitioners are the instrument. Our own embodied health and regulation is how we help others find theirs.

This is the fresh perspective on anxiety recovery I teach practitioners: presence over protocols, electricity before chemistry.

If that resonates, comment WELCOME ⬇️ and I'll send you a DM to share more.

#anxietyrecovery #anxietyrecoverycoaches #practitionertraining #practitionersupport #quantummentalhealth by @dr_kelli

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14 days ago

Meet the founding CARC grads. 🎓✨

I’m so excited to introduce the first five practitioners to complete the Certified Anxiety Recovery Coach™ program through Quantum Mental Health Institute.

And I LOVE the diversity of this founding group.

A doula + circadian health expert.
A nutritional therapist.
A holistic life coach.
A performance psychology professional + military spouse and mom.
A holistic practitioner + nonprofit founder.

Different backgrounds. Different experiences. Different ways they’ll take this work into the world.

But all trained through a framework that looks beyond simply managing anxiety symptoms — and asks a much bigger question:

What does the human system need in order to feel safe, regulated, energized and well?

These women have spent months learning to see anxiety through a wider lens — light, circadian biology, nourishment, nervous system regulation, environment, connection, meaning and more — while developing the skills to help others create meaningful, sustainable change.

They are the founding cohort of Certified Anxiety Recovery Coaches™.

Nikko. Courtney. Meta. Courtney. Lauren.

I hope you are so proud of yourselves. 🤍

I’m thrilled to call you colleagues, to have you alongside me in this work, and I cannot wait to see where each of you takes it.

This is exactly how we begin to change the way we think about anxiety recovery — one person, one family, one community at a time.

Welcome to the CARC community.

Love is the medicine.
And this is only the beginning. ✨

@courtney.gordon_
@holisticcoachmeta
@brighterdays.darkernights
@powerfulprojectatl
@neuroticfarmer

#anxietyrecovery #anxietyrecoverycoaches #practitionerembodiment #quantummentalhealth #holisticmentalhealth by @dr_kelli

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19 days ago

My friend Chelsea @hurleygirlies and I were recently talking about facing insecurities.

Chelsea is my “be real, get honest and discuss all our latest health seeker insights” friend. I absolutely love her. And our chats are always fun for me.

We both really like David Goggins so the discussion around facing insecurities probably stemmed from mentioning his books. Chelsea tried to get me to read “Can’t Hurt Me” a couple of years ago…and I finally read it this year.

Anyhoo, Chelsea was saying that a pivotal time in her life was after she had her first child & while training for her first triathlon…both pivotal moments in no longer feeling insecure in most situations. Becoming more confident and comfortable in her own skin.

Now, fyi, Chelsea is one of the most positive people I’ve ever met. She’s also committed to health and personal growth. She’s a triathlete for crying out loud. And! She is one of the most down to earth and kindest humans you’ll ever encounter. But don’t f*** with her 😅

That conversation got me thinking about confidence (not cockiness) and what it means to truly deal with our insecurities. And, how much that helps with chronic anxiety.

Over the many years I’ve been working with and interviewing people, I’m always fascinated by pivotal moments in our lives. What’s a pivotal moment in your life where you found real courage and gained personal confidence?

I don’t need a dissertation. Drop a sentence or two in the comments👇

Be well friends 🙏🏻☀️

#anxietyrecovery #quantummentalhealth #stressresilience #holisticmentalhealth #confidentnotcocky by @dr_kelli

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3 hours ago

“I’m so happy you cracked me open.”

That’s what I told Megan after the return to nature retreat—because I had been trying to cry for two days and nothing was coming out.

Listen to the full interview if you’ve ever needed a gentle way back to yourself.

Or send it to the friend who’s been “fine” for way too long.

👉 Comment EPISODE and I’ll DM you a direct link to E76 Anthems: Speak Your Truth Into Existence with @the_megan_wilson

Megan calls anthems spoken word truth tracks, not affirmations.

The difference?

- Affirmations can feel like a stretch
- Anthems start with what’s actually true in your body
- Your own voice makes it land deeper
- Music helps your nervous system remember it

That’s why it works.
It’s not about forcing belief. It’s about creating a truth your body can actually receive.

Sometimes the most powerful thing isn’t new information—it’s finally hearing yourself clearly.

What would your anthem say right now?

Listen to the full conversation on Spotify or Apple. Comment EPISODE👇 below and get the link to Spotify in your DMs

#AnthemWork #mindsetshifts #nervoussystemhealing #spokenword #womenwholead by @dr_kelli

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7 hours ago

New article out for my paid substack subscribers. Thank you all for your interest in this work & your support.

Grateful! 🙏🏻

I became fascinated with remission research when my dad was diagnosed with cancer in 2009. Recently I came across some interesting research on spontaneous remission which brought me back to my qualitative research days & my interest in this topic.

The overlap between remission research and what we see in anxiety recovery work is worth exploring. So, I did a little digging and then wrote an overview for us.

You can find the link in my stories today. Or find an easy substack link in my bio @dr_kelli or @quantummentalhealthinstitute

Substack is where I think out loud about anxiety, the body, and healing beyond the traditional models. It’s also where I write deeper pieces and explore the research, nuance and parts I don’t put in front of everyone. Yes, deeper than Instagram 😄

Want the link? Comment SUB below and I’ll send you a DM.

#anxietyrecovery #quantummentalhealth #recoverycommunity by @dr_kelli

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2 days ago

Anxiety isn’t the enemy — it’s a signal. But signals don’t have to run the show.

One of the biggest factors we see in people who reach full recovery from chronic anxiety? They stop outsourcing their health and start taking charge of it. That’s not “boss energy” for its own sake — it’s ownership.

You get to be the one who decides what happens next.

#anxietyrecovery #quantummentalhealth #naturalhealing by @dr_kelli

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2 days ago

Nikko already knew the biology.

She understood circadian rhythms, light, and the physiology that shapes how we feel.

So why did Nikko, a circadian rhythm expert, decide to join a training in anxiety recovery?

Because knowing the science and knowing how to walk alongside an anxious person are two different things.

FARC isn’t about handing experienced practitioners another stack of protocols.

It’s about learning to see anxiety differently—and becoming more confident in how you show up, what you notice, and how you guide the person in front of you.

I love hearing Nikko put words to why she came…and what changed once she did.

The fall cohort of Foundations in Anxiety Recovery Coaching begins October 11.

Comment SUN and I’ll DM you the details.

#anxietyrecovery #quantummentalhealth #anxietyrecoverycoach #foundationsinanxietyrecovery #FARC by @dr_kelli

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3 days ago

Obviously there’s nuance to an ongoing experience of chronic anxiety. Additionally, there can be many contributing factors.

Unfortunately many practitioners are taught to tackle the contributing factors and/or create protocols that only help the client manage the symptoms. Traditional and even some progressive tools don’t address the foundations for anxiety recovery.

This quote is taken from a short solo episode on the Quantum Mental Health Podcast. If you’re interested to hear more, check out E75 How to Calm Anxiety in the Moment Without Fighting the Signal with me (@dr_kelli)

You can click the easy podcast links in the bio @quantummentalhealthinstitute or @dr_kelli

💛☀️💛 stick around if you’re want to hear more about anxiety as a signal.

#anxietyrecovery #anxietyrecoverycoach #anxietyrecoverycoaching #quantummentalhealth by @dr_kelli

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3 days ago

Courtney Voss was our very first Certified Anxiety Recovery Coach through the QMHI. She is an incredible asset to the field ~ integrative and highly skilled in her work with clients.

I recently asked her about her experience in Foundations in Anxiety Recovery Coaching (FARC) & how she is using the training moving forward. This short clip is just one of the golden moments of our conversation. Imposter syndrome is such a common theme among highly qualified practitioners. We just hit that straight on during the FARC mentorship.

If you have a nudge to help others (and yourself) through anxiety we invite you to consider joining the movement.

Comment FARC below and we will send you a DM with the link to learn more.

FARC Fall Cohort begins Oct 11th. Register by Oct 1 for all the bonuses: extra 1:1, early access, entry in our giveaway & 3-months free in ARX.

You can feel it when it’s right for you. And when you do, we will welcome you! 💛

#anxietyrecovery #quantummentalhealth #moodandmitochondria #holisticmentalhealth #anxietyrecoverycoach recovery by @dr_kelli

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4 days ago

Nobody talks about the practitioner who is quietly managing their own anxiety while helping everyone else manage theirs.

So I’m going to.

Because here’s what I know after thirty years in this field — the practitioners who are most afraid they’re not qualified enough? They’re usually the ones doing the best work.

The shakiness before a session. The 2am racing thoughts. Sitting across from a client describing the exact spiral you were in last Thursday and thinking “who am I to be in this chair?”

That’s not a disqualifier. That’s data. And if you know how to use it, it becomes your greatest clinical asset.

I have a fall cohort of Foundations in Anxiety Recovery Coaching starting October 11 and I am genuinely so excited about the people already in the room. I would love to add a few more practitioners to this group — specifically the ones who feel it in their bones when their clients are struggling. The ones with just enough imposter syndrome to know they care deeply about getting this right.

If that’s you, swipe through these slides.

Then comment BLOOM below and I’ll send you the full free article straight to your DMs.

#anxietyrecovery #anxietyrecoverycoaching #quantummentalhealth #moodandmitochondria by @dr_kelli

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6 days ago

On the latest episode of the Quantum Mental Health Podcast I answer the most common question I (and other anxiety recovery coaches) get: “How can I stop anxiety in the moment”

E75

I talk about how that’s kind of like asking how do I nail jello to the wall from a big picture standpoint. But I also answer the question and here’s why…

When anxiety hits, it’s rarely a convenient time. We need tools to help us manage the moment and get through the task at hand.

However, management is not the same as recovery. I explain anxiety as a signal and gift that can return us to ourselves…our heart.

Check out the full episode. Comment “75” below and I will send you a link to listen/watch on Spotify.

#anxietyrecovery #quantummentalhealth #stressresilience #moodandmitochondria #holisticmentalhealth by @dr_kelli

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7 days ago

I came outside to take a break, clear my head and try to feel better…

You know those days where it feels like things aren’t working? When it’s hard to find your spark. Your spunk has exited. You might think something like, “none of this shit is working, why bother.”

Yeah. Me too. Today.

So, to pivot my perspective I walked outside. Watching the clouds, seeing the trees and birds and water. That helped.

Still feeling kinda low, I thought about the 1000s of tools I’ve used with clients and students over the years. When you’re a practitioner or educator…struggling to pivot your mindset and feeling state is never about lack of tools 😊

I thought about my motto: presence over protocols. Just be present with what is.

And as I stayed present with the moment, something started to shift. The acceptance and presence created space for the shift to be felt first then thoughts changed. Now, more helpful thoughts became accessible.

All the sudden I started thinking about what I’ve got going for me. What is working in my life. What feels good and easy these days (or like lifting weights not necessarily feeling easy but ultimately good).

I’d love to hear what you’ve got going for you ⬇️ leave a comment

We can change our thoughts. We can change our scenery. We can change a behavior. AND/OR we can sit with what’s present until it shifts…giving it respect and space. We can use any of this that feels useful.

#anxietyrecovery #quantummentalhealth #stressresilience #moodandmitochondria #holisticmentalhealth by @dr_kelli

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8 days ago