Treatment for Panic Disorder & Panic Attacks in New Jersey
Treatment for panic disorder & panic attacks helps clients overcome fears, reduce symptoms and begin to feel more in control of their mental health.
What is Panic Disorder?
Panic disorder is a mental health condition in which a person experiences repeated and unexpected panic attacks. A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear, discomfort, or a feeling of losing control, even when there is no obvious threat or reason. However, not everyone who has a panic attack will go on to develop panic disorder.
Panic Disorder disorder typically begins in late adolescence or early adulthood, and women are diagnosed more frequently than men. With appropriate treatment and support, many individuals with panic disorder are able to manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives.
Panic Disorder vs. Panic Attacks
A panic attack refers to a single or occasional episode of sudden and intense fear accompanied by emotional and physical symptoms. Experiencing a panic attack by itself does not mean someone has a mental disorder.
Panic disorder, on the other hand, is diagnosed when a person repeatedly experiences unexpected panic attacks and develops ongoing concern about future attacks or changes their behavior in response to that fear. These changes can significantly affect everyday activities and quality of life.
Common Signs & Symptoms of Panic Disorder
People living with panic disorder may experience:
Sudden and recurring panic attacks marked by intense fear or anxiety
A sensation of losing control during an attack
Thoughts of death or a sense that something terrible is about to happen
Persistent worry about when another panic attack might occur
Avoidance of places or situations where attacks have happened before
Common Physical Symptoms During A Panic Attack
- Rapid or pounding heartbeat
- Excessive sweating
- Chills
- Shaking or trembling
- Trouble breathing
- Feeling weak, lightheaded, or dizzy
- Numbness or tingling in the hands
- Chest discomfort
- Stomach upset or nausea
Co-Occurring Conditions
Individuals with panic disorder sometimes experience other mental or physical health conditions at the same time. These may include
Treatment Options for Panic-Related Disorders
Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy helps the brain learn that feared sensations and situations are safe. Instead of avoiding anxiety triggers, therapy gradually helps clients approach them in a structured and supported way. Over time, the brain learns that panic symptoms do not need to trigger a danger response.
Cognitive & Behavioral Strategies
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps individuals recognize and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to panic attacks. Through CBT, people learn healthier ways to interpret physical sensations and respond to feelings of anxiety, which can gradually decrease the likelihood and severity of future attacks.
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy
In VR therapy, individuals wear a headset that immerses them in realistic, computer-generated environments designed to simulate situations that may trigger anxiety or panic symptoms. Under the guidance of our trained therapists, clients gradually practices coping strategies while experiencing these situations in a safe and controlled setting.
Interoceptive Exposure for Panic Attacks
During Interoceptive Exposure, clients are intentionally exposed to physical sensations similar to those experienced during a panic attack (such as increased heart rate or dizziness). This process helps reduce fear of those sensations and improves a person’s ability to tolerate them.
Our Therapists-In-Training Providing Treatment for
Panic Disorder & Panic Attacks
FAQ About Panic Disorder Treatment
The length of therapy varies depending on symptom severity and treatment goals. Many people begin noticing improvement within several weeks of structured treatment.
Panic attacks are not dangerous. Although the physical sensations can feel intense, they are produced by the body’s stress response.
Many people experience a significant reduction in panic attacks through structured therapy that targets fear responses and avoidance patterns.
Exposure-based therapies are considered among the most effective treatments for panic disorder because they help retrain the brain’s response to fear signals.
General FAQ About Online Therapy in NJ
Where are you located? I need a therapist near me
We are fully online, which means that your therapy sessions will be help via video call on our HIPAA compliant Platform. Anyone in New Jersey can access our therapy services
How do I get started as a new client?
New Clients can reach out to us directly via call, text or email here:
Does my insurance cover my visits?
We provide”Courtesy Billing” for clients who are using the Out-of-network insurance benefits.
Our Insurance Page might answer your questions about your insurance information, cost and OON coverage.
What are out-of-network benefits?
Visits our FAQ About Insurance to learn more about OON coverage for mental health services. We can also check your benefits for you. When using OON benefits, patients typically pay the full cost of the treatment upfront and then file a claim with their insurance company for reimbursement.
Is Online Therapy As Effective As In-Person Therapy?
Online therapy is essentially face-to-face counseling, just conducted remotely. Studies show that tele-therapy is as effective as traditional counseling. Professional organizations and state governments recognize its benefits and have set regulations for it. However, like any therapy, its success in achieving your goals isn’t guaranteed. It’s important to discuss with your therapist whether tele-therapy is working for you.
How Should I Prepare for My First Session?
Showing up is all that you need to do! But if you really want to get the most out of session, it could help to take some time to think about what you want from therapy. It helps to write down your goals, questions you have or things that you feel are important to share.
Do you offer traditional talk therapy?
of course! though we have some unconventional therapy approaches, we are rooted in evidenced based practices. Talk therapy is a major player in the therapy room! See What we Treat and Integrative Services for more information
Is Virtual Counseling Suitable for Everyone?
Online therapy might not be as effective for individuals with chronic suicidal thoughts, severe trauma, significant mental health history, or those recently in intensive care. Such cases often benefit more from traditional, in-person counseling. We’ll help you decide if our online services are right for you during your intake and evaluation.
Can I Change Therapists If I'm Not Happy?
Yes, you can switch therapists to another provider within the practice, or we can provide you a referral if preferred. We want to ensure that your time and effort are well spent, and that you are getting the relief you need, that’s why we work collaboratively with each other in the practice, as well as outside therapists who we know and trust.
How Do I Know If Therapy Is Helping?
You should feel like you’re making progress. Signs it’s working include:
- Feeling comfortable talking to your therapist
- Your therapist respects boundaries
- You’re moving towards your goals
- You feel listened to
You’re doing better in life - Your self-esteem is getting better
What is your cancellation policy?
We ask that clients provide at least 24 hours notice in the event that they need to cancel to avoid the 50% cancellation fee. we understand that life happens and do our best to be flexible & reschedule.
What Geographic Areas Are Served?
Currently, we serve clients in New Jersey and are expanding to other states as telehealth laws evolve. While telehealth offers the convenience of attending sessions from anywhere, state laws require clients to be in-state during their session.
Is Online Therapy Easy to Use for Non-Tech-Savvy People?
Yes, it’s pretty simple to access sessions. You’ll need basic internet skills, such as opening and visiting the patient link sent to you via email. It’s similar to video chatting like Facetime or Zoom. We can also walk you through it on the phone the first time to ensure a strong connection
What Questions Should I Ask My New Therapist?
Feel free to ask anything. Some good questions are:
- How often will we meet?
- What do you specialize in?
- What experience do you have with my issue?
- What outcomes can I expect?
- How will I know I’m progressing?
- How long do you usually work with clients?
- How will we set my treatment goals?
What is the difference between associate therapists & fully licensed therapists?
Our Qualifications:
Our founder, Rebecca Sidoti, is a highly qualified, state-licensed therapist and supervisor with extensive training in anxiety related disorders and innovative treatment such as Ketamine Therapy. Mind by Design Counseling adheres to standards set by the our governing counseling boards.
To see each providers credentials, training and licenses, visit our “Meet the Therapists” Page to learn more.
- LAC/LSW are therapists who may practice clinical work under the supervision of a fully licensed therapist.
- LPC/LCSW are therapists who have completed the necessary clinical hours post-graduation under supervision and can practice clinical work independently.
