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686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a panic attack disorder can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

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Starting Panic attack disorder therapy

What is panic attack disorder therapy?

Panic attack disorder therapy is a specialized therapeutic approach designed to help individuals suffering from recurrent and debilitating panic attacks. During therapy sessions, individuals work closely with trained Thriveworks Charlottesville therapists to identify and understand the triggers and thought patterns that contribute to their panic attacks. Through panic attack disorder therapy, individuals learn to manage their anxiety, develop coping strategies, and regain control over their lives, ultimately leading to a reduction in the severity of panic attacks.

How does panic attack disorder therapy work?

Panic attack disorder therapy often utilizes cognitive-behavioral techniques like exposure therapy and relaxation exercises to help individuals manage and mitigate panic attacks. These methods involve desensitizing triggers, reducing physical and emotional symptoms, and challenging irrational thought patterns to empower individuals to recognize, control, and reduce the frequency and intensity of panic attacks.

Is panic attack disorder therapy conducted in person or online?

Panic attack disorder therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and through Online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does panic attack disorder therapy last?

Panic attack disorder therapy may last for a variable amount of time, depending on the individual’s unique needs.

Need more help deciding?

Interventions for Panic Attacks in Charlottesville, VA—Counselors and Therapist Who Treat Panic Disorders

Psychological interventions have proven effective for treating panic attacks. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), medication, exposure therapy, and other treatments may be combined to lessen or completely alleviate panic disorders.

The therapists at Thriveworks Charlottesville often help their clients find the holistic treatment they need to live their normal life free from panic attacks.

Panic Disorder: What Is It?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) recognizes the disruption that panic attacks can cause, and gives criteria for diagnosing panic disorder (DSM-5 300.01 [F41.0]):

  • When more than one panic attack strikes, causing people to experience acute discomfort, fear, and anxiety that has a minimum of four of the following symptoms:
    • Excessive perspiration
    • Fear of going crazy or losing control
    • Fear of dying
    • Shaking or trembling
    • Irregular or escalated heart beat
    • Feelings of choking
    • Shortness of breath or feeling smothered
    • Feeling detached from oneself
    • Numbness or tingling sensations
    • Dizziness or faintness
    • Chest pain or tightness
    • Stomach pain or nausea
    • Feeling as if the experience is not real
    • Chills or hot flashes
  • Experiencing either or both of the following in the wake of the panic attack(s) for at least one month:
    • Acute and constant anxiety about more panic attacks occurring, and/or a similar health event (e.g., having a stroke or heart attack) occurring.
    • Adjusting one’s normal routine in the hopes of avoiding or lessening the attack’s severity.

Before diagnosing a panic disorder, there is an important caveat. Panic attacks can be a part of other psychological disorders, and they can also be caused by certain medications or drugs. In order for a panic disorder to be diagnosed, the attacks cannot be the physiological effects of a substance or a part of another mental health disorder.

Holistic Interventions for a Panic Disorder

Holistic and effective interventions are available for panic disorders. These can be combined into an individualized treatment plan, and for many, they greatly relieve or even eliminate panic attacks. A skilled and caring counselor may be able to find the right combination of these therapies that works for you:

  1. Medication: Antidepressants may relieve symptoms so that people can focus upon building coping skills or resolving past trauma instead of worrying about panic attacks. When combined with other treatments, medication may improve those intervention’s chances of success.
  2. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Often, panic attacks are rooted in childhood trauma or abuse. If this is the case, CBT seeks to heal the past trauma, and in doing so, panic symptoms often lessen. In response to trauma, people often develop unhealthy coping skills, and CBT  can replace those with healthier responses to the discomfort of panic attacks.
  3. Exposure therapy: When people are not afraid of panic attacks and know how to respond if they occur, the attacks often naturally lessen. Exposure therapy gives people opportunities to experience the sensations of an attack but in a safe place and with a therapist’s help. Doing so may normalize the experience and give people more control over their responses.

Treating Your Panic Disorder at Thriveworks Charlottesville

Our therapists utilize cognitive behavior therapy, medications, and/or exposure therapy. We work with our clients to formulate individualized, holistic treatment plans.

If you call our office, you may be able to see a therapist within a week of your first call. Our counselors have weekend and evening appointments available, and we work with many different insurance companies.

If it is time to reclaim your normal routine from a panic disorder, Thriveworks Charlottesville is here to help. Call today or schedule online to begin.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Charlottesville therapists and counselors accept 30 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | Exchange

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Hampshire | BCBS

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

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Self-pay costs at Charlottesville
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.6 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
I have been seeing Sharon Davis for about 6 weeks now, and she is helping me greatly with my relationship with my husband. She is extremely knowledgeable and has given me some wonderful exercises for my anxiety. I just love working with Sharon, she really helps me to understand my emotions, and the need to love myself!
Read more I have been seeing Sharon Davis for about 6 weeks now, and she is helping me greatly with my relationship with my husband. She is extremely knowledgeable and has given me some wonderful exercises for my anxiety. I just love working with Sharon, she really helps me to understand my emotions, and the need to love myself!
Cynthia Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I have had the pleasure of working with Hiawatha as a colleague. His easy going manner and warmth as a clinician helps him to quickly connect with others. It is clear to me that Hiawatha cares a great deal for those he supports.
Read more I have had the pleasure of working with Hiawatha as a colleague. His easy going manner and warmth as a clinician helps him to quickly connect with others. It is clear to me that Hiawatha cares a great deal for those he supports.
Charlottesville Dec 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Reaching out to Thriveworks was a great decision. The service is excellent and the representative matched me with the best counselor for my needs. I have to admit that I was skeptical at first, but I was pleasantly surprised when I met Anita Dean. She is very knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely cares about others. I have observed that she doesn't create cookie cutter plans. Instead, she creates a plan specific to the needs of her her clients. My husband and I lost our sweet family pet of over 15 1/2 years and it also caused the loss of a child to resurface. Anita, has handled my situation with care and assisted me as I walked through the grief process. I am so grateful.
Read more Reaching out to Thriveworks was a great decision. The service is excellent and the representative matched me with the best counselor for my needs. I have to admit that I was skeptical at first, but I was pleasantly surprised when I met Anita Dean. She is very knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely cares about others. I have observed that she doesn't create cookie cutter plans. Instead, she creates a plan specific to the needs of her her clients. My husband and I lost our sweet family pet of over 15 1/2 years and it also caused the loss of a child to resurface. Anita, has handled my situation with care and assisted me as I walked through the grief process. I am so grateful.
Charlottesville Jul 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★
I have been involved in therapy for most of my adult life. I can say with all honesty and sincerity that my experience with Thriveworks has been the best so far and I am 55, now that's saying a lot!
Read more I have been involved in therapy for most of my adult life. I can say with all honesty and sincerity that my experience with Thriveworks has been the best so far and I am 55, now that's saying a lot!
Charlottesville Oct 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Great experience so far.
Charsville Jul 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Great practice!
Charlottesville Jul 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I really loved working with John Stone. He’s an awesome councelor from what i can gather from one visit. The environment was also comfortable and relaxing in his office. He made me feel it was safe to approach him. Im gonna continue my seesions with him.
Read more I really loved working with John Stone. He’s an awesome councelor from what i can gather from one visit. The environment was also comfortable and relaxing in his office. He made me feel it was safe to approach him. Im gonna continue my seesions with him.
Charlottesville Jul 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Exceptional place with the best docs!
Charlottesville Jul 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

We share a building with Shear Magic Salon, Sei Bella Salon, New Looks Studio, Hairflair, Ishan Gala Foundation, Embrace Home Loans, Alpha Home Care Services, and JBD Mobile Catering & Events. We are located at the corner of Commonwealth Drive and Greenbrier Drive. Next to us on Commonwealth Drive is Commonwealth Drive Cemetery and Charlottesville Blue Ridge Dental. Across the street is Lighten Up hair salon.

Phone number

(434) 205-6776

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • English
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm

Shown in ET

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