Find Therapists for Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks

What panic attacks feel like and what matters when you’re looking for help

Panic attacks can come on suddenly and feel overwhelming. You might notice a racing heart, breathlessness, dizziness, sweating or a sense that you are losing control. Many people also describe strong worry about when the next attack will happen, or start changing routines to avoid places or situations that feel risky. If you experience new or severe chest pain, fainting, shortness of breath that feels medical, or other worrying physical symptoms, it is important to check those with a doctor or emergency services before assuming they are panic-related. Online talk care is not a substitute for emergency or medical attention.

When you search through profiles on this page, think about the practical things that will affect whether a clinician fits your needs. Consider the ways they describe their focus on panic or anxiety, the languages they list, the kinds of people they say they work with, and the listed location to understand time zone and regional context. Profiles are summaries; you can use them to identify several clinicians whose descriptions resonate and then read their full profiles to learn more about their approach and experience.

How Panic Disorder and panic attacks are presented in the directory

This directory groups profiles where practitioners list Panic Disorder and panic attacks among their focus areas. That listing signals that a clinician includes these concerns in their practice descriptions, but it does not imply a particular certification, diagnostic service, specific outcomes, or a guarantee of fit for your situation. The presence of this topic on a profile is a prompt to investigate further through the profile details and a direct conversation with the clinician.

You will see a mix of clinicians from the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. In each country the pathways to practice and the terminology for permission to work differ. Academic degrees such as PhD, PsyD, MD, MA and MSW describe the type of education someone completed. Those degrees are distinct from professional permission to practice, which in the United States is typically shown as a state license title, in the United Kingdom as registration or professional membership with national bodies, and in Australia as registration or membership with recognized national agencies. A degree listed on a profile does not by itself establish current permission to practice in a particular jurisdiction.

Questions to ask about approach, experience and style

When you review profiles and prepare to reach out, having concrete questions will help you compare clinicians more effectively. You might ask whether they have experience working with people who have panic attacks and whether they typically work with similar symptoms - for example, intense physical sensations versus ongoing worry about having another attack. Ask how they describe their therapeutic approach and request examples of what a typical early session focuses on. If a profile mentions particular techniques or modalities, remember that this means they list those approaches - it is useful to ask how they integrate those approaches into care and what they expect from the person seeking help.

It is reasonable to ask about the kinds of goals they help people set, how they measure progress, and how they approach episodes of intense distress. You can also ask about their experience with related issues you may have, such as health anxiety, avoidance behaviors, or panic that occurs alongside other conditions. Concrete questions about session length, communication preferences between meetings, and how they coordinate with other professionals you see are practical topics to cover so you can decide whether to proceed with an initial conversation.

What to discuss before starting online or remote care

If you are considering remote sessions, there are specific topics to address before you begin. Discuss how the clinician manages safety planning and what steps you should take in an emergency, since online talk care is not an emergency medical service. Ask how they recommend handling a severe panic episode that begins during a session, and whether they will work with other local health professionals should medical evaluation be needed. Clarify expectations about session length, cancellation policies and what to do if a session ends early due to distress or a technical problem.

It is also useful to talk about the environment where you will do sessions. Pick a quiet and comfortable setting where you can focus and speak freely. If you have concerns about breathing techniques or exercises that might trigger intense sensations, raise those in advance so you can develop a gradual plan that feels manageable. Communicate any accessibility needs, language preferences or cultural considerations so the clinician can describe whether those are within their scope of practice and comfort. Finally, if you are seeing other health professionals, consider asking how the clinician prefers to coordinate care while respecting your privacy and consent.

How to compare profiles by focus areas, languages, credentials and therapeutic style

Profiles are written summaries that highlight what each clinician chooses to communicate. Start by reading how they describe their focus areas and whether panic or anxiety is presented as a central interest or an additional focus. Note the languages they list to find someone who can speak in your preferred language. Look at the stated degrees and then check whether the profile also describes a state license, registration or professional membership appropriate to their country. Keep in mind that a doctoral or medical degree indicates the type of training they pursued; registration, licensure or membership indicate their professional permissions or affiliations.

Pay attention to the therapeutic style that comes through in the profile language. Some clinicians describe themselves in a direct, skills-focused way while others frame their approach around exploration and support. Think about which tone you respond to - whether you prefer a clinician who emphasizes practical strategies for symptom management or someone who foregrounds exploration of underlying patterns. When profiles list therapeutic approaches, such as CBT or EMDR, consider those as conversation starters. You might ask a clinician how they use particular techniques, what you could expect to try in early sessions, and how they adapt their style to your pace and comfort.

Finally, use the listed location to understand practical constraints like time zone differences and regional context. Profiles do not always indicate every detail you might need, so treat them as starting points for short, focused conversations. Comparing clinicians on the basis of how they describe their focus areas, languages, credentials, and the tone of their writing will help you identify a few profiles to contact and explore further.

Taking the next step

As you move from reading profiles to reaching out, keep a shortlist of the questions that matter most to you and a simple way to compare answers. You do not need to decide everything from a profile alone; a brief introductory conversation can clarify whether the clinician’s approach and experience match your needs. If a physical symptom is new or concerning, prioritize a medical check first. When you are ready to begin conversations, use the information on profiles to shape clear, direct questions about how a clinician would work with panic-related experiences and what working together might look like for you.