Panic Attack Therapy in London
Support for panic attacks, fear of another attack and anxiety that is beginning to affect your life
Panic attacks can feel frightening and overwhelming. They can seem to come from nowhere, leaving you feeling out of control and worried about when the next one might happen.
You may understand logically that you are safe but the physical sensations can be so intense that it can be difficult to believe this in the moment.
I offer warm, confidential and non-judgemental therapy for panic attacks in Central London and online, helping you understand what may be triggering your panic, reduce the fear surrounding it and begin to feel more confident and in control.
Are Panic Attacks Affecting Your Daily Life?
A panic attack can cause a sudden rush of intense anxiety accompanied by frightening physical sensations. Sometimes there is an obvious trigger while at other times a panic attack can appear to come completely out of the blue.
You may be experiencing:
-
A racing or pounding heartbeat
-
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
-
Tightness or discomfort in your chest
-
Dizziness or feeling faint
-
Sweating or shaking
-
Feeling sick or nauseous
-
Tingling or numbness
-
Feeling detached from yourself or your surroundings
-
A fear of losing control
-
A fear that something terrible is about to happen
-
Worry about when the next panic attack might happen
-
Avoiding places or situations because you're frightened of having another attack
After experiencing a panic attack, it is very understandable to become more aware of sensations in your body. You may notice a change in your heartbeat or breathing and immediately worry that another panic attack is starting. Over time, the fear of having another panic attack can sometimes become as difficult as the panic itself.
How Can Panic Attack Therapy Help?
Therapy provides a regular space where we can explore your panic attacks without judgement and begin to understand what may be happening when you experience them.
Rather than focusing only on stopping the symptoms when they occur, we can look at what may be triggering your panic and the thoughts, feelings and experiences that could be keeping the cycle going.
Our work may help you to:
-
Understand your individual panic triggers
-
Recognise the early signs of increasing anxiety
-
Understand the physical sensations associated with panic
-
Feel less frightened by those sensations
-
Recognise thoughts that may intensify your panic
-
Develop practical ways of calming and grounding yourself
-
Reduce avoidance of places or situations
-
Feel more confident about managing anxiety
-
Explore underlying stress, emotions or experiences that may be contributing to your panic
-
Reduce the fear of having another panic attack
The aim is not simply to help you manage a panic attack when it happens. Therapy can also help you understand why panic may be occurring and gradually reduce the control it has over your life.
You may also find my article helpful: How Do I Stop a Panic Attack?
What Is Panic Attack Therapy With Me Like?
Panic attack therapy with me is a calm, supportive and collaborative process. We work together to understand your individual experience of panic and what may be contributing to it.
In our sessions, there is no pressure to explain everything immediately. You can take your time and we will go at a pace that feels comfortable and manageable for you.
We will begin by exploring what happens when you experience a panic attack. This might include what you notice in your body, the thoughts that go through your mind, what was happening before the panic began and how you respond afterwards.
We may also explore whether there are particular situations you have started avoiding because you're worried about experiencing another attack.
Depending on your needs, I will draw on different therapeutic approaches including CBT, psychodynamic therapy and mindfulness-based techniques. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, I adapt the therapy to you and what you are experiencing.
Over time, therapy can help you to:
-
Feel less frightened by the physical sensations of panic
-
Understand and interrupt the panic cycle
-
Develop ways to manage anxiety when it arises
-
Reduce avoidance and rebuild confidence
-
Understand underlying feelings or experiences that may contribute to your anxiety
-
Feel more confident about coping if anxious feelings return
Most importantly, therapy provides a consistent and supportive relationship where you can talk openly about what you're experiencing. Together, we can work towards helping panic feel less frightening, less controlling and more manageable.
Who Do I Work With?
I provide panic attacks and anxiety therapy for adults of all ages and have particular experience supporting young adults, university students and professionals.
Panic attacks can sometimes begin during periods of increased pressure or change — perhaps starting university, beginning a new job, experiencing relationship difficulties, dealing with work stress or feeling uncertain about the future.
For other people, there may be no obvious explanation for why the panic attacks have started.
You don't need to know what is causing your panic attacks before contacting me. Understanding what may be happening can be part of the work we do together.
Sessions are available face-to-face in Central London and online throughout the UK.
Take the First Step
If panic attacks are affecting your daily life or you're finding yourself worrying about when the next one might happen, you don't have to manage this alone.
You are welcome to arrange a free 15-minute telephone call to discuss what you are experiencing and whether working together might feel right for you.