Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is an essential part of this program and it sounds like you have had some experience with it. It has been shown to be very effective in reducing the symptoms and severity of panic attacks and anxiety disorders............have you had the opportunity to practice this technique previously?
Relaxation techniques aim to influence the central nervous system in order to invoke the relaxation response.............this has also been proven to have immense physical benefits such as lowering blood pressure, reducing the effects of stress, increasing performance and mental alertness and many others. It is not a form of avoidance, but rather an effective mechanism to deal with the stressors that are contributing to the panic disorder.
Please do take some time to review the program and tools available to you. The forums are a wealth of information and members are always willing to interact and provide support to each other.
I'm not sure what's the basis of this program but it seems very similar to CBT -not sure if it's purely CBT but aren't relaxation techniques forms of sublte avoidance too?
