Russell Kennedy

Dr. Russell Kennedy, known as The Anxiety MD, is a physician, clinical neuroscientist, certified trauma therapist, yoga and meditation teacher, and former professional stand-up comedian. Kennedy earned his medical degree from Western University and practiced as a family doctor in Victoria and Vancouver for more than a decade while also performing in comedy clubs across the country. This combination of medical expertise and performance experience informs his unique approach to mental health and anxiety treatment.

Kennedy's specialization in anxiety management is informed by his personal experience with the condition for more than 30 years. Drawing on neuroscience, somatic practices, and his own recovery, Kennedy developed a non-traditional method for understanding and addressing anxiety. Growing up with a father who lived with severe schizophrenia, Kennedy pursued advanced training in medicine, neuroscience, and developmental psychology. During his medical studies, Kennedy's father died by suicide after years of living with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Kennedy channeled this experience into a professional focus on anxiety relief and mental health advocacy.

After years of unsuccessful therapies for his own anxiety, Kennedy concluded that anxiety originates in the body, where trauma is stored, rather than solely in the brain. He emphasizes that physical and emotional perceptions in the body trigger anxious thoughts, and that effective anxiety treatment requires addressing both. Kennedy's approach integrates neuroscience, somatic work, and developmental psychology to support anxiety recovery.

In his book, "Anxiety Rx," Kennedy combines scientific research with body-based therapeutic techniques. The book, which began as a self-published work and later achieved global distribution, has sold tens of thousands of copies and received recognition for its contribution to anxiety relief. Kennedy has appeared on more than 250 podcasts discussing anxiety, trauma, and mental health. His work has been endorsed by prominent figures in the mental health and personal development fields.

Kennedy challenges conventional views by presenting anxiety as a deeply embodied state of alarm rather than solely a disorder of thought. Through his writing, teaching, and coaching, Kennedy advocates for connection, self-compassion, and evidence-based anxiety management. His work includes "Anxiety Rx," the "Anxiety Rx" podcast, and "MBRX," a mind-body program for anxiety healing. Kennedy is a speaker, podcast host, and mental health advocate, leveraging his medical background and experience in entertainment to support individuals seeking relief from chronic anxiety and panic.