Therapy for Panic Attacks
Panic attacks can feel sudden and consuming—like fear has taken over your body without warning. Your heart races, your breath shortens, your chest tightens, and a wave of dread or disorientation sweeps through. It’s not uncommon to feel like you’re losing control or even dying. Though these episodes last only minutes, their intensity can leave a lasting imprint—making you fearful of when the next one might strike.
Panic attacks are the body’s alarm system sounding off, often in response to cues of danger that may be conscious or unconscious. Sometimes the trigger is clear, like a highway that recalls a past accident or a crowded room that feels suffocating. Other times, the trigger is symbolic—an argument, a tone of voice, or even silence can stir old, unprocessed fears of rejection, abandonment, or loss of safety. From a psychodynamic perspective, panic often arises when strong emotion or internal conflict has been pushed out of awareness for too long. From a somatic perspective, it reflects a nervous system caught in survival mode—trying to protect you from something that feels unbearable.
When panic attacks begin to shape your choices—when you avoid driving, social events, or being alone—they can evolve into panic disorder or agoraphobia, leading to feelings of shame, isolation, or depression. But panic is treatable. In therapy, we work to understand both your body’s physiological response and the deeper meanings behind your fear. You’ll learn to track your triggers, soothe your nervous system, and gradually reestablish a sense of safety in your body.
Treatment often includes somatic grounding, trauma-informed CBT, and psychodynamic exploration—helping you:
• Recognize early signs of panic and respond before they escalate
• Reduce sensitivity to physical symptoms of anxiety
• Understand the unconscious meaning of your panic triggers
• Reclaim trust in your body’s signals rather than fearing them
• Build confidence to reengage with avoided places or experiences
The goal of therapy is not to eliminate anxiety, but to transform your relationship with it—to move from fear and avoidance toward understanding, regulation, and choice. Panic loses its power when you learn what it’s trying to protect.
If you’re ready to get to the root of your panic attacks or to learn more about how therapy can help you feel safe and in control again, you’re welcome to reach out for a consultation to begin therapy.