Find a Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks Therapist

Understanding Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks

Panic attacks are intense episodes of fear or discomfort that peak within minutes. They can come with pounding heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, tremors, or a strong sense that something bad is happening. When these attacks occur repeatedly and lead to persistent worry about future attacks or to avoidance of places and situations, clinicians often use the term panic disorder. Panic disorder can affect daily routines, work, relationships, and your sense of confidence in managing your life.

People experience panic in different ways. For some the physical sensations are most prominent, while for others the overwhelming fear and thoughts about losing control are the primary problem. Triggers can be external - for example crowded places - or internal - for example certain bodily sensations that feel alarming because they are associated with past attacks. Understanding how panic shows up for you is an important step toward finding effective treatment.

Signs You Might Benefit from Therapy

You might consider therapy if panic attacks occur unexpectedly, if you worry constantly about having another attack, or if you begin to avoid activities, routes, or locations because you fear an episode. Therapy can also help when you notice changes in functioning such as difficulty concentrating at work, declining social activities, increased use of alcohol or substances to cope with anxiety, or physical symptoms that persist despite medical evaluations. Even if attacks have become less frequent, ongoing anticipatory fear - the worry about when an attack might happen - can erode quality of life and respond well to therapeutic treatment.

If you find yourself planning your day around avoiding triggers, canceling events, or relying on others to feel safe, these are signs that focused treatment could bring meaningful relief. Therapy can teach skills to manage symptoms in the moment and reduce the long-term impact of panic on your life.

What to Expect in Therapy for Panic Disorder

When you start therapy for panic disorder, the first sessions typically involve assessment and collaborative goal-setting. Your therapist will ask about the nature of your attacks, how often they occur, your medical history, and how panic affects your daily life. This helps create a tailored plan that aligns with your priorities. Some therapists use questionnaires to track symptoms over time so you can see progress as you work through treatment.

Early Sessions

Early sessions focus on education and skill-building. You will learn about the fight-or-flight response, how physical sensations and thoughts interact, and practical strategies for grounding and breathing that can reduce the intensity of an attack. Your therapist will also work with you to identify patterns of avoidance and to create a step-by-step plan to address them at a pace that feels manageable.

Ongoing Sessions

As therapy progresses, sessions often include practice of coping skills, real-time exposure to feared sensations or situations, and cognitive work to shift unhelpful beliefs about panic. Therapists typically assign between-session practice so you can apply skills in everyday settings. Later in treatment the focus may shift to relapse prevention and planning for how to handle future stressors so that gains are durable.

Common Therapeutic Approaches

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is one of the most researched approaches for panic disorder. CBT helps you identify and test fearful thoughts, and it pairs cognitive work with behavioral methods such as interoceptive exposure - intentionally and safely bringing on feared bodily sensations under guidance so they become less threatening over time. Exposure-based methods can also address avoidance of places or situations that trigger panic.

Acceptance and commitment therapy, or ACT, emphasizes changing your relationship to uncomfortable thoughts and sensations while clarifying your values and taking action that aligns with what matters to you. Mindfulness-based therapies can teach gentle attention to the present moment without judgment, which may reduce reactivity to panic sensations. Breathwork and relaxation training can provide immediate tools to manage symptoms, while skill-based approaches help you build confidence in your ability to cope.

Some people choose to work with both a therapist and a prescribing clinician. Medication can be part of a comprehensive plan when recommended by a prescriber, and your therapist can collaborate with that provider to support coordinated care. Therapists do not prescribe medication, but they can offer education about how different approaches may fit together with other forms of treatment.

How Online Therapy Works for Panic Disorder

Online therapy offers a way to meet with a therapist from home or another location that feels comfortable to you. Sessions are usually conducted via video or phone and follow a structure similar to in-person care - assessment, skills training, exposure exercises, and homework. Online work makes it possible to practice exposures in your everyday environment and to bring real-world situations into sessions for discussion and troubleshooting.

When you choose online therapy, consider whether the therapist is licensed to work in your state or region and ask about their experience with panic-related treatments. It is useful to plan for safety - deciding together how to handle crises and knowing local emergency resources. The convenience of remote sessions can increase consistency of care, which is an important factor in achieving meaningful improvement.

Tips for Choosing the Right Therapist

Look for a therapist who has experience specifically with panic disorder and panic attacks. You can ask about their training in evidence-based approaches such as CBT and exposure methods, and whether they use structured measures to track progress. Consider the therapist's communication style and how comfortable you feel sharing experiences with them. A good match in personality and pace often makes a practical difference in outcomes.

Ask about practical details like session length, fees, cancellation policies, and whether they offer flexible formats such as evening appointments or online sessions. If you prefer certain methods - for example a focus on exposure work rather than exclusively on relaxation - bring that up during an initial consultation. Inquire how they structure homework and between-session practice, since regular application of techniques is a key part of effective treatment.

Finally, give yourself permission to try a consultation with more than one therapist if you need to. The first few sessions are an opportunity to evaluate whether the approach feels right and whether you are making small gains in coping. Finding the right provider is a personal process, and feeling heard and respected in therapy is an important part of long-term success.

When you are ready, use the listings above to compare therapists who specialize in panic disorder and panic attacks. Reading profiles, noting areas of expertise, and requesting a consultation can help you take the next step toward calmer, more manageable responses to panic.