Our Story

PanicMechanic was developed by Dr. Ryan and Ellen McGinnis of the University of Vermont.

We created PanicMechanic because we suffered from panic attacks. The biofeedback-based approach we deliver is what worked for us, and PanicMechanic is our way of sharing it with you. Our hope is that it will help you get through your panic attacks, understand what is happening to your body, and identify your common triggers.

You are not alone.

You are not alone in your battle with panic attacks. Our CEO, Dr. Ellen McGinnis, suffered with panic attacks throughout graduate school. Today, she has not had a panic attack since. Continue to hear her story and how it has influenced our mission.

Meet the Mechanics

Dr. Ellen McGinnis

CEO & Co-founder; Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Psychiatry UVM

Dr. Ryan McGinnis

COO & Co-founder; MSE., Ph.D. Assistant Professor & Assistant Director Department of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering UVM

Skylar Bagdon

Program Manager

Sarah Horrigan

Marketing Lead

Amanda Anderson

Communications & Analytics Specialist

Will Jeffries

Technology & App Development Specialist

Justin Sherlock

Data Based Content Creator

Sam Gusick

App Testing & Video Lead

Nicole Eaton

Community Outreach Lead