Online CBT for Panic Attacks and Phobias
Panic attacks and phobias can feel overwhelming and may gradually begin to restrict your everyday life. You might find yourself avoiding particular places, situations or activities because you are frightened of experiencing panic or coming into contact with something you fear.
Although avoidance can provide some immediate relief, over time it can make the fear feel even more powerful and leave your world feeling increasingly limited.
I offer online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for adults, children and teenagers experiencing panic attacks and specific phobias.
Does this sound familiar?
Panic and phobias can affect people in different ways. You may have experienced sudden surges of fear alongside physical symptoms such as a racing heart, dizziness, breathlessness, shaking or nausea.
You might find yourself worrying about having another panic attack, closely monitoring how your body feels or avoiding places where you fear it may happen again.
Alternatively, you may have a strong fear of a particular object, situation or experience. Even when you know the fear feels out of proportion, it can still be extremely difficult to manage.
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Experiencing sudden and intense episodes of fear
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Worrying about losing control, fainting or becoming unwell
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Closely monitoring physical sensations
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Avoiding crowded places, public transport or travelling alone
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Feeling anxious about being far from home or unable to leave
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Avoiding a particular object, animal, situation or activity
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Needing reassurance or another person with you
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Planning escape routes or ways to feel safer
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Feeling anxious long before the feared situation occurs
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Finding that fear is restricting everyday life
You do not need to have a formal diagnosis of panic disorder, agoraphobia or a specific phobia before contacting me.
How can CBT help with panic and phobias?
CBT can help you understand how panic or fear has developed and what may now be keeping it going. Together, we will look at the thoughts, physical sensations and behaviours involved, and how these may be affecting one another.
It is understandable to avoid situations that feel frightening or to use ways of making yourself feel safer, such as seeking reassurance, checking escape routes, monitoring your body or only facing situations with someone else.
Although these strategies can reduce anxiety in the short term, they can sometimes prevent you from discovering that you are able to manage the fear and cope with the situation.
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Understanding your individual cycle of panic or fear
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Learning more about physical anxiety symptoms
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Reducing body monitoring and fear of sensations
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Identifying avoidance and ways of trying to feel safe
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Testing fearful predictions
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Gradually approaching feared situations at a manageable pace
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Building confidence in your ability to cope with anxiety
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Developing skills to help you manage future difficulties
Therapy may involve gradually facing feared situations or sensations in a carefully planned and collaborative way.
You will not be forced or surprised.
We will agree the work together and move at a pace that feels manageable while still helping you work towards your goals.
Panic attacks and agoraphobia
Panic attacks can feel extremely frightening. You may experience a racing heart, breathlessness, dizziness, shaking, nausea or a feeling that something terrible is about to happen.
After experiencing panic, it is understandable to become worried about having another attack.
You may begin monitoring your body closely or avoiding places where you fear it may happen again.
Some people start avoiding shops, public transport, crowded places, driving, being far from home or situations where leaving quickly might feel difficult. This can gradually make everyday life feel more restricted.
Specific phobias
A specific phobia is more than simply disliking something. The fear may feel overwhelming, lead to significant avoidance or cause anxiety long before the feared situation occurs.
I can help with a range of fears, including:
Emetophobia or fear of vomiting
Fear of driving
Fear of needles, blood or medical procedures
Fear of animals or insects
Fear of heights or enclosed spaces
Fear of choking
Other specific fears that are affecting everyday life
CBT can help you understand what is maintaining the fear and gradually build confidence in approaching situations that have become difficult or restricted.
Panic and phobias in children and teenagers
Panic and phobias can also have a significant impact on children and young people. They may begin avoiding school, sleepovers, travelling, medical appointments, particular foods or activities they previously enjoyed.
A child may find it difficult to explain what they are frightened of and instead become tearful, distressed, irritable or highly reliant on reassurance. Families can gradually find themselves changing plans or routines to help the young person avoid feeling anxious.
I have extensive experience working with children, teenagers and families. Therapy will be adapted to the young person’s age, understanding and individual needs.
Parents or carers may be involved in some sessions where this is helpful. This can support everyone to understand what is maintaining the fear and help the young person gradually build confidence and independence.
What happens next?
I offer a free, informal 10–15-minute introductory call. This gives you the opportunity to briefly explain what has been happening, ask any initial questions and decide whether you feel I may be the right therapist for you.
If you decide to go ahead, we will begin with an assessment. This gives us time to explore the panic or fear in more detail, understand how it is affecting everyday life and consider what you would like to be different.
We will then work together to develop a shared understanding of what may be keeping the panic or fear going and agree some goals for therapy.
Sessions take place online and usually last 50–60 minutes. Therapy will be tailored to you and we will regularly review how things are progressing.
Online CBT sessions: £95