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Therapy for Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks

On this page you will find therapists who list panic disorder and panic attacks among their specialties. Browse the profiles below to review approaches, credentials, languages and areas of focus before contacting anyone.

Understanding panic disorder and panic attacks

What panic episodes are and how they affect daily life

Panic attacks are intense bursts of fear or discomfort that come on quickly and peak within minutes. You may experience a range of physical sensations such as racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, trembling and a strong urge to escape. When these episodes occur repeatedly and you begin to worry about having more attacks or change your behavior to avoid them, clinicians often describe that pattern as panic disorder. Panic can affect many parts of life - work, relationships, routines and your sense of safety - and it can make even ordinary tasks feel daunting. Each person's experience differs, and cultural background, life stressors and other mental health concerns can shape how panic shows up for you.

Because panic attacks are dramatic and distressing, they can produce a cycle in which fear of future attacks amplifies the very symptoms you are trying to avoid. That cycle may include avoiding certain places, skipping activities that once felt enjoyable or increasing reliance on substances to cope. Understanding panic as a pattern rather than a character flaw is an important first step toward getting help. Therapy focuses on breaking the pattern by changing how you understand and respond to panic symptoms.

Signs you might benefit from therapy for panic disorder and panic attacks

When to look for professional support

You might consider therapy if panic attacks happen more than once, if they lead you to avoid places or activities, or if worry about future attacks interferes with your daily functioning. If panic causes persistent changes to your routines - for example, you stop exercising, reduce social contact or avoid leaving home - therapy can help you reclaim those areas of life. You may also find therapy useful if panic co-occurs with anxiety about health, difficulties sleeping, or low mood, since these concerns often interact and can maintain distress.

Therapy can be a helpful option whether you are looking to understand triggers, learn new ways to manage intense sensations, or rebuild confidence after repeated episodes. You do not need to wait until symptoms become unbearable. Early engagement in a therapeutic process can shorten the time you spend feeling restricted by panic and can give you practical tools to manage acute episodes when they arise. If you have questions about how panic relates to other health matters, a coordinated approach with medical providers can be part of your care plan.

What to expect in therapy sessions focused on panic

Assessment, goals and the rhythm of sessions

Initial sessions typically involve a detailed conversation about your history of panic, current patterns, symptoms and how panic fits within your life. You and your therapist will explore triggers, situational and bodily signs, and the thoughts that follow an episode. This assessment helps shape specific, measurable goals - for example, reducing avoidance of a particular situation, managing the intensity of physical symptoms, or improving sleep and daily functioning. Sessions often include a mix of education, skill-building and gradual practice of coping strategies.

Therapy sessions may feel structured at times and more exploratory at others. You can expect to learn concrete techniques to manage acute panic - breathing strategies, grounding exercises and cognitive tools to challenge alarmed thinking. You may also work on exposures, which involve facing feared sensations or situations in a graded and supported way so that your nervous system can learn safety. Progress often comes step by step, and many people notice changes in how they interpret bodily sensations and in their willingness to reengage with life.

Therapeutic approaches commonly used for panic disorder

Evidence-informed options and how they are applied

There are several common approaches that therapists list as relevant for panic disorder. Many therapists who list cognitive-behavioral therapy, including interoceptive exposure, emphasize identifying and changing the thinking patterns that escalate panic while directly approaching feared physical sensations. Therapists who list exposure-based approaches focus on gradual, repeated experience with feared situations or sensations so that learning takes place and fear diminishes over time. Some therapists list acceptance and commitment therapy among their approaches, which helps you clarify personal values and take meaningful action even when anxiety is present.

Other practitioners list mindfulness-based approaches that teach attention skills and a different relationship to bodily sensations and racing thoughts. You may also find therapists who list breathing retraining, relaxation training and stress management techniques among their approaches. A subset of therapists list EMDR among their approaches and may use it when panic is connected to traumatic memories. When medications are part of a person's plan, therapists often describe collaborating with prescribers to coordinate care while focusing on psychotherapy goals. The listings on this site indicate which approaches therapists include in their practice, but they do not serve as verification of specialized credentials.

How online therapy works for panic disorder and tips for choosing a therapist

Using remote sessions and selecting the right match

Online therapy can make it easier to access therapists who list panic disorder and panic attacks among their specialties, particularly if you live in an area with fewer local options. Remote sessions usually take place via video calls, phone calls or messaging platforms. Many people find that virtual work translates well for skill teaching, exposure planning and real-time coaching during moments of distress, though some exposures may be designed to occur in your local environment and discussed or guided remotely. Before starting, you might ask about the therapist's approach to conducting exposure work online and how they handle intense moments that can arise during sessions.

When choosing a therapist, pay attention to how they describe their focus areas and approaches, whether they list experience with panic-related work and the languages they offer. Consider practical factors such as session length, session format and whether their stated approach aligns with how you prefer to work - for example, more skills-based and structured versus reflective and exploratory. Read therapist profiles to learn who lists particular therapeutic methods among their approaches, and look for clear descriptions of what a typical session looks like. You may prefer a therapist who mentions collaboration with medical providers if you want integrated care, or one who describes ways of supporting people with severe physical symptoms. Trust your instincts about fit; the working relationship often shapes the pace and effectiveness of change.

Ultimately, therapy for panic disorder is about gaining tools to respond differently to intense sensations and reclaiming activities that matter to you. Whether you pursue in-person or online sessions, the therapists listed on this page are organized so you can review their approaches, credentials and languages. Taking the first step to learn about options and to reach out for an introductory conversation can help you determine which therapist is the best match for your needs and goals.

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114 therapists

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63 therapists

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19 therapists

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24 therapists

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294 therapists

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108 therapists

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114 therapists

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91 therapists

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320 therapists

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93 therapists

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232 therapists

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351 therapists

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11 therapists

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216 therapists

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127 therapists

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67 therapists

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281 therapists

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15 therapists

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169 therapists

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18 therapists

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139 therapists

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898 therapists

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912 therapists

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67 therapists

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13 therapists

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179 therapists

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120 therapists

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29 therapists

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128 therapists

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24 therapists

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